Forbes magazine recently published an update to its famous ranking of the world’s richest people. Among these immense fortunes, some come from the world of entertainment.
Over the years, several artists, actors, producers, and entrepreneurs have managed to turn their success into veritable financial empires. Thanks to their impressive careers, businesses, and investments, these personalities have amassed fortunes that sometimes exceed a billion dollars.
From music to film, television, and business, these stars dominate today’s entertainment industry. Here are 16 of the wealthiest stars on the planet, according to data published by Forbes.
Steven Spielberg
According to Forbes 2026, Steven Spielberg is one of the richest celebrities in the world. The famous American filmmaker and producer has a fortune estimated at around $7.1 billion, placing him among the billionaires in Forbes’ global ranking. Spielberg has built this immense wealth through an exceptional career in the film industry.
Over the decades, he has directed and produced several of the biggest box office hits, including E.T., Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and Jaws. In addition to the revenue generated by his films, a large part of his fortune comes from his production companies and royalties from his works. Thanks to these successes, he is now considered one of the most influential and successful directors in the history of cinema.
George Lucas
According to the official Forbes 2026 page, George Lucas is among the world’s billionaires with an estimated fortune of approximately $5.2 billion. The famous American director and producer is best known as the creator of the Star Wars franchise, one of the most lucrative sagas in the history of cinema.
A large part of his wealth also comes from the sale of his company Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012 for approximately $4.1 billion, a transaction that included a significant equity stake. Thanks to the global success of his films and his investments, Lucas remains one of the richest and most influential filmmakers in the entertainment industry.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is one of the wealthiest celebrities in the world. Her fortune is estimated at around $3.2 billion, making her the richest female celebrity on the planet according to the entertainment billionaires ranking.
Oprah Winfrey built this immense wealth through a media empire developed over several decades. Her famous program, The Oprah Winfrey Show, which aired for 25 years, made her one of the most influential personalities on American television. She then invested in several companies, including Harpo Productions, her production company, and the OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) channel.
In addition to television, Oprah also has significant investments in media, film, and real estate. Her success is often cited by Forbes as an example of a celebrity who has turned her fame into a financial empire.
Today, she remains one of the most powerful and influential businesswomen in the entertainment world.
Jay-Z
According to the official Forbes 2026 page, American rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z is one of the richest celebrities in the world. His fortune is estimated at around $2.8 billion, placing him among the billionaires in Forbes’ global ranking.
Jay-Z has built this immense wealth through an exceptional music career, but also through his numerous investments and businesses. In addition to his albums and tours, he has developed a veritable empire in several industries. He has invested in the Armand de Brignac and D’Ussé alcohol brands, as well as in various technology and real estate companies. Thanks to his entrepreneurial activities and his influence in the music industry, Jay-Z is now considered one of the richest and most powerful artists in the world.
Taylor Swift
According to Forbes’ official page dedicated to Taylor Swift, the American singer is one of the richest celebrities in the world. Her real-time fortune is estimated at around $2 billion in 2026, placing her among the billionaires on the Forbes list.
Taylor Swift became a billionaire in October 2023, thanks in particular to the phenomenal success of her The Eras Tour and the value of her music catalog. Forbes points out that she is the first musician to achieve this status primarily through her songs and performances, without relying heavily on outside companies.
Her fortune comes from several sources. Approximately $800 million has been generated from royalties and touring, while her music catalog is valued at nearly $600 million. She also owns a real estate portfolio estimated at over $110 million.to her exceptional music career and strategic business decisions, Taylor Swift has established herself as one of the most influential and successful artists in the global music industry.
Kim Kardashian
According to the official Forbes page dedicated to Kim Kardashian, the American star is one of the world’s billionaires. In 2026, she ranks 2177th on the Forbes list of billionaires.
Kim Kardashian built her fortune through her entrepreneurial activities in the fashion and beauty industry. Her clothing and shapewear brand Skims, founded in 2019, now accounts for the largest share of her wealth. The company has grown rapidly and reached a valuation of approximately $5 billion, which has greatly contributed to increasing her personal fortune.
According to Forbes estimates, Kim Kardashian’s fortune is around $1.9 billion. In addition to Skims, she also generates income fromher media activities, commercial partnerships, and immense influence on social media, where she has hundreds of millions of followers.
Thanks to her fame and her businesses, Kim Kardashian has established herself as one of the richest and most influential businesswomen in the entertainment industry.
Peter Jackson
According to the Forbes 2026 page dedicated to Peter Jackson, the New Zealand director and producer is one of the world’s billionaires. His fortune is estimated at around $1.9 billion, which puts him on the Forbes billionaire list.
Peter Jackson built his wealth through his exceptional career in the film industry. He is best known for directing the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, two franchises that have been hugely successful at the global box office. A large part of his fortune also comes from the sale of a significant stake in his visual effects company Weta Digital, a company renowned for its work on numerous blockbuster films. Thanks to his films and technology companies, Jackson is now one of the richest filmmakers in the world.
Dick Wolf
According to the Forbes 2026 page dedicated to Dick Wolf, the famous American television producer is one of the world’s billionaires. His fortune is estimated at around $1.5 billion, which puts him on the Forbes billionaires list.
Dick Wolf built his immense wealth through his career in the television industry. He is best known for creating the Law & Order franchise, one of the most popular and longest-running police series in television history. This franchise has spawned several spin-off series that have been very successful with audiences.
A large part of his fortune comes from the broadcasting rights, reruns, and numerous television productions he has developed over the years. Thanks to these successes, Dick Wolf is now considered one of the most influential producers in American television.
Tyler Perry
According to the official Forbes 2026 page, Tyler Perry is among the world’s billionaires with an estimated fortune of approximately $1.4 billion. The American director, producer, and actor has built his wealth through his numerous productions in the entertainment industry.
He is best known for creating the famous Madea franchise, which has been hugely successful in both film and television. A large part of his fortune also comes from Tyler Perry Studios, one of the largest production studios in the United States. Thanks to his films, series, and copyrights, Perry has become one of Hollywood’s most influential creators.
Bruce Springsteen
According to the Forbes 2026 page dedicated to Bruce Springsteen, the famous American singer and songwriter is one of the world’s billionaires. His fortune is estimated at around $1.2 billion, which puts him on the Forbes billionaire list.
Bruce Springsteen has built this wealth through an exceptional musical career spanning several decades. Known for iconic albums such as Born to Run, Born in the U.S.A., and The River, he is one of the most influential artists in rock history. A large part of his fortune also comes from the sale of his music catalog to Sony in 2021, a transaction estimated to be worth more than $500 million. Thanks to his tours, album sales, and royalties, Springsteen is now one of the richest musicians in the world.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
According to Forbes 2026, Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the world’s billionaires, with an estimated fortune of around $1.2 billion. The actor and former governor of California built his wealth through an exceptional career in several fields.
First known as a bodybuilding champion, he became a Hollywood star thanks to successful films such as Terminator, Conan, and Total Recall. However, much of his fortune comes from his investments in real estate, businesses, and the stock market. Thanks to these investments and his international career, Schwarzenegger is now one of the richest actors in the world.
Jerry Seinfeld
According to the Forbes 2026 page dedicated to Jerry Seinfeld, the American comedian and actor is one of the world’s billionaires. His fortune is estimated at around $1.1 billion, which puts him on the Forbes billionaire list.
Jerry Seinfeld built his wealth through his exceptional career in comedy and television. He is best known for the famous series Seinfeld, which aired in the 1990s and was created by him and Larry David. The series became one of the most popular sitcoms in history. Much of his fortune comes from syndication revenues and rights related to the series, which continue to generate hundreds of millions of dollars. Thanks to this enduring success, Seinfeld is now one of the richest comedians in the world.
James Cameron
According to information associated with Forbes 2026, Canadian director James Cameron is now one of the world’s billionaires. His net worth is estimated at around $1.1 billion, which puts him in the very exclusive club of billionaire filmmakers.
James Cameron built this immense wealth thanks to the spectacular success of his films at the global box office. Over the course of his career, his productions such as Titanic, Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, Terminator, and Aliens have generated nearly $9 billion in worldwide revenue.
Unlike many billionaire celebrities, a large part of his fortune comes directly from his films, notably through director’s salaries, profit shares, and income from licensing, merchandise, and his company, Skydance.his director’s salaries, profit shares, and income from licensing, merchandise, and his production company, Lightstorm Entertainment.
With this fortune, James Cameron joins a very exclusive group of billionaire directors, alongside Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Peter Jackson, and Tyler Perry.
Rihanna
According to the Forbes page dedicated to Rihanna, the singer and entrepreneur from Barbados is one of the world’s billionaire celebrities. Her fortune is estimated at around $1 billion, which puts her on the Forbes billionaire list.
Rihanna owes much of her wealth to her businesses in the beauty and fashion industries. Her cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty, launched in partnership with the luxury group LVMH, is one of the main sources of her fortune. She also has a significant stake in the lingerie brand Savage X Fenty, which also contributes to her financial empire.
Although she has become a global superstar thanks to her musical successes, Forbes points out that it is primarily her entrepreneurial activities and investments that have transformed Rihanna into a billionaire. Today, she is considered one of the most influential and successful women in the entertainment industry.
Thanks to her investments and entrepreneurial vision, Rihanna has managed to turn her artistic career into a veritable empire. Forbes often highlights her career as an example of a celebrity who has successfully converted her fame into lasting commercial success.
Beyoncé
According to the official Forbes website, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is among the world’s billionaires.
In 2026, the singer has an estimated fortune of around $1 billion, which puts her on Forbes’ list of billionaires. Much of her wealth comes from her musical career, which spans nearly three decades, first with the group Destiny’s Child, then as a solo artist.
Her world tours, album sales, and music projects have contributed significantly to her fortune. Beyoncé also earns income from her investments and business ventures. Her husband, rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z, is also a billionaire.
Dr. Dre
According to the Forbes 2026 page dedicated to Dr. Dre, the American rapper and producer is one of the world’s billionaires. His fortune is estimated at around $1 billion, which puts him on the Forbes billionaire list.
Dr. Dre built his wealth through his influential career in the music industry. Considered one of the most important producers in hip-hop, he has contributed to the success of many notable artists and albums. However, a large part of his fortune comes from the sale of the Beats Electronics headphone brand to Apple in 2014, a transaction valued at approximately $3 billion. Thanks to his musical activities, businesses, and investments, Dr. Dre is now one of the richest artists in the entertainment industry.