Taylor Swift doubles her wealth to $2 billion - as the richest celebrity billionaires of 2026 are named
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The richest celebrities in the world have been named – and it marks Taylor Swift's official status as a multi-billionaire.
The global popstar, 36, has doubled her fortune to $US2 billion ($2.8 billion), according to Forbes, since she first made the publication's annual list of celebrity billionaires in 2024.
And it's all thanks to the success of her Eras Tour, the highest-grossing tour in history that generated over $US2 billion in ticket sales alone.
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Taylor Swift has jumped from ninth to seventh place in Forbes' list of billionaires. Emma McIntyre/TAS23/Getty Images via CNN Newsource
But her fortune is small change compared to the sheer wealth accumulated over the years by the rich list's repeat hitters.
Four new celebrities have joined the elite club, which has jumped from 18 to 22 stars.
Of the 22 billionaire celebrities, there are two film directors, six singers and three basketball players. See the full list here:
Who's made the cut this year? Getty
1. Steven Spielberg
$US7.1 billion (approx. $9.9 billion)
At age 79, Spielberg is the highest-grossing director of all time as he joins the rich list for his 32nd year.
Superstar director Steven Spielberg tops the list, again. Getty Images for Academy Museum
You can thank Spielberg for the Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and Jaws film franchises.
He could thank you too – the director famously doesn't take a salary, instead, he negotiates a percentage of gross sales for his films.
2. George Lucas
$US5.2 billion (approx. $7.2 billion)
George Lucas ranked second on the list last year too. Getty Images for TCM
The wealth is strong with this one – after creating and then selling the rights and ownership of his hit franchise Star Wars.
His sold his production company, LucasFilm, to Disney in 2012 for a tad more than peanuts ($US4 billion [approx. $5.6 billion] in stock and cash).
3. Michael Jordan
$US4.3 billion (approx. $6 billion)
Nike pays Michael Jordan over $US100M a year in royalties. Getty
The richest basketballer on the list! In 2015, Michael Jordan became the first billionaire athlete, mainly thanks to his brand partnerships and Nike Jordan brand.
He also owned the NBA's Charlotte Hornets team, which he sold for $US3 billion (approx. $4.2 billion) in 2023.
4. Vincent McMahon
$US3.6 billion (approx. $5 billion)
The American businessman co-founded and made World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, into the global brand we know today. It's today the world's largest wrestling promotion company.
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5. Oprah Winfrey
$US3.2 billion (approx. $4.4 billion)
Oprah Winfrey is the first-ever Black woman to reach billionaire status. Getty
The 72-year-old television personality turned media and business empress became the first Black female billionaire in 2003.
Her hit talk show and own cable network certainly helped her pocket.
6. Jay-Z
$US2.8 billion (approx. $3.9 billion)
Jay-Z also has an impressive art collection. Getty
Jay-Z's got 99 problems but his wealth ain't one.
The 54-year-old hip-hop star turned mogul made over $US1 billion from his impressive luxury and alcohol brand portfolio, alongside stakes in Uber and Tide.
7. Taylor Swift
$US2 billion (approx. $2.8 billion)
Taylor Swift is in her billionaire era. Getty Images for The Recording A
Global popstar Taylor Swift first made the list in 2024 following her record-breaking world tour. At the time, she was the least wealthy on the list and is now an impressive seventh.
Swift is the first musician to become a billionaire strictly off earnings from her music and performances, without brand deals, partnerships or non-music-related initiatives.
8. Kim Kardashian
$US1.9 billion (approx. $2.6 billion)
Kim Kardashian owns a $40 million home outside LA. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Kim Kardashian's booming businesses, KKW Beauty and Skims, helped her achieve the billionaire benchmark when added to her television show and endorsement deals.
Before she shut KKW Beauty down, she sold 20 per cent of it to Coty in 2020, netting herself $US200 million (approx. $279 million) in the process.
9. Peter Jackson
$US1.9 billion (approx. $2.6 billion)
Peter Jackson's Lord of The Rings films made him $US10 million apiece. Getty
New Zealand director Peter Jackson's precious fortune is largely thanks to his role in directing The Lord of the Rings films, and selling the tech division of his visual effects company for $US1.6 billion in 2021.
10. Magic Johnson
$US1.6 billion (approx. $2.2 billion)
Magic Johnson is a basketball Hall of Famer. Getty
The former basketball player, 66, made his fortune through savvy business deals with other billionaires, from owning a handful of sports teams and his stake in a life insurance provider.
11. Tiger Woods
$US1.5 billion (approx. $2.1 billion)
Tiger Woods has also invested in luxury real estate. Getty
The golfing legend made his vast fortune from his golfing career and endorsements. The 50-year-old is estimated to have earned over $US121 million in prize money alone.
12. Dick Wolf
$US1.5 billion (approx. $2.1 billion)
Dick Wolf has been in the business for over 30 years. Getty
Dick Wolf, the US producer behind some of the world's most-watched crime shows, Law & Order, Chicago and FBI, made his rich list debut in 2024.
He also signed a five-year, nine-figure deal with NBCUniversal in 2020.
13. Tyler Perry
$US1.4 billion (approx. $1.9 billion)
Tyler Perry Studios is the producer's most valuable asset today. Getty Images for Netflix
Actor, director and producer Tyler Perry also maintained his spot on the list.
He owns one of the largest film studios in the United States which was used to film The Walking Dead, Marvel film Black Panther, and includes 12 sound stages and a White House replica.
14. LeBron James
$US1.4 billion (approx. $1.9 billion)
LeBron James is the first athlete to become billionaire while being an active NBA player. Getty
The 40-year-old basketball player built his fortune with both on- and off-court endeavours.
He is the first player in NBA history to accumulate $1 billion in earnings while still playing.
15. Bruce Springsteen
$US1.2 billion (approx. $1.6 billion)
Bruce Springsteen has made hundreds of millions from touring and album sales. Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images
US rockstar Bruce Springsteen has released a whopping 21 studio albums. But his biggest pay day came in 2021 when he sold his entire song catalogue to Sony Music in a deal worth $US500 million.
16. Arnold Schwarzenegger
$US1.2 billion (approx. $1.6 billion)
Arnold Schwarzenegger is known for iconic roles such as The Terminator. Getty
Arnie is back on the list and equal with Springsteen.
The former Californian governor pocketed a neat $US500 million for his impressive film catalogue, plus other real estate and private investments.
17. Jerry Seinfeld
$US1.1 billion (approx. $1.5 billion)
Jerry Seinfeld also has an impressive car collection. AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource
Jerry Seinfeld made bank from co-creating, owning and starring in the '90s hit show Seinfeld.
The comedian made over $1 million per episode during the final season, plus the income he gets from the show's syndication.
18. Roger Federer
$US1.1 billion (approx. $1.5 billion)
Roger Federer has won 20 grand slams. Kelly Defina via Getty Images
Across his impressive 24-year playing career, Roger Federer earned over $US130 million in prize money.
But his billionaire status is thanks to his long-term endorsement (Uniqlo, Rolex) and investment deals.
19. James Cameron
$US1.1 billion (approx. $1.5 billion)
James Cameron is a new addition. Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
Making his billionaire debut is legendary filmmaker James Cameron. After all, he's behind three of the four highest-grossing films of all time.
Titanic and the Avatar movie franchise has made nearly $US9 billion so far (with another Avatar movie on the way).
20. Rihanna
$US1 billion (approx. $1.4 billion)
Rihanna's business deals has secured her status. GC Images
The 38-year-old mogul may have risen to fame as a pop star (with a music catalogue worth $US200 million), but she has stakes in Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty – both billion-dollar brands.
21. Beyonce
$US1 billion (approx. $1.4 billion)
Beyonce is crazy in cash. Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
Joining her husband Jay-Z on the billionaire list is music superstar Beyonce. Her fortune is thanks to her long-standing music career, world tours and her nine-figure music catalogue.
22. Dr Dre
$US1 billion (approx. $1.4 billion)
Dr. Dre helped launch the music careers of Snoop Dogg, 2Pac and Eminem. Instagram
Also reaching billionaire status is legendary rapper and music producer Dr. Dre.
The multi-hyphenate star is the co-founder of Death Row Records, founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, which he sold to Apple for an eye-watering $US3.4 billion.
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