From professional athlete to movie star, super model to celebrity chef, there are lots of celebrities in completely different professions that we love to follow. But the one thing they have in common is their ability to rake in the dough. If you’re like us, you’re wondering: Which profession has the richest celebrity?
We’ve searched high and low to find the 21 celebrity professions and reveal just who has stacked the money the highest. Let’s start with the merely rich and work our way towards the mega wealthy.
Wikipedia & Instagram
21. TV JOURNALIST: TOM BROKAW
Tom Brokaw achieved his fame (and wealth) serving as an anchor for NBC Nightly News. Although officially retired, he will occasionally earn some extra spending money by serving as a special correcspondent to NBC News. Net Worth $70 million.
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Up next: the wealthiest socialite
20. SOCIALITE: PARIS HILTON
Although known as a partying heiress to the Hilton Hotel fortune, what may not be as well known is Paris Hilton’s business acumen. Paris has started over 40 Paris Hilton stores across the globe, as well selling her own line of fragrances and women’s handbags. She has also recorded an album and is considered by many to be a top global DJ. Net Worth $100 million.
Up next: the wealthiest DJ
19. DJ: CALVIN HARRIS
Famous for his Billboard top ten Dance / Electronic songs, Calvin Harris has been listed by Forbes magazine as leading the list of the wealthiest DJs in the world for the last 3 years. Harris has also dated other famous celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Rita Ora. Net Worth $110 million.
Up next: the wealthiest dancer
Wikipedia
18. DANCER: MICHAEL FLATLEY
With a nickname of “Lord of the Dance”, Michael Flatley is not just the wealthiest dancer, he is also the man who popularized Irish folk dancing before huge audiences worldwide. Not content with mere fame, Flatley is also a two-time Guinness world record holder for fastest foot tapping speed of 28 taps per second, which he increased 9 years later to 35 taps per second. Net worth $288 million.
Up next: the wealthiest child star
Wikipedia
17. CHILD STARS: MARY KATE AND ASHLEY OLSEN
Originally starting in acting at the ripe old age of 9 months in the sitcom Full House, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen turned their early acting skills into business success. The twins now run an entertainment company and their own clothing line, The Row. Net Worth $300 million.
Up next: the wealthiest chef
Wikipedia
16. CHEF: JAMIE OLIVER
The star of the hit TV show, The Naked Chef, since 1999, Jamie Oliver has done very well for himself as a celebrity chef. His simple approach to cooking is also seen in his 20 cookbooks which sell like hotcakes and have propelled him to the second best-selling author in England, behind only JK Rowling. Net Worth $400 million.
Up next: the wealthiest super model
Wikipedia
15. SUPER MODEL: KATHY IRELAND
This supermodel has appeared on the cover of many magazines, including the best selling issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. A successful entrepreneur as well as a model, she currently runs her own business, Kathy Ireland Worldwide, which had sales of $2 billion in 2012. Most recently, she appeared on Dancing With the Stars in 2009. Net Worth $450 million.
Up next: the wealthiest radio personality
14. RADIO PERSONALITY: HOWARD STERN
Howard Stern is the original and most famous shock jock. The Howard Stern Show was an FM radio show from 1986 to 2005, when he switched over to satellite radio. Howard is also famous for racking up more FCC fines than another other radio personality. Net Worth $550 million.
Up next: the wealthiest reality star
Wikipedia
13. REALITY STAR: SIMON COWELL
Simon Cowell is well-known to Britain and America as a talent judge on the shows X Factor and American Idol. Known for his blunt criticism of mediocre performances, he is is one of the wealthiest people in the UK. Net Worth $550 million.
Up next: the wealthiest comedian
Wikipedia
12. COMEDIAN: JERRY SEINFELD
Today, Jerry Seinfeld is mostly riding around in cars and getting coffee with comedians. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) Previously, he made his fortune as the star, writer, and co-creator of one the most popular sitcoms, Seinfeld. Net worth $800 million.
Up next: the wealthiest rapper
Wikipedia
11. RAPPER: DR DRE
A six-time Grammy winner who recently sold his company Beats to Apple, Dr Dre is considered by many to be the greatest rap producer of all time. A member of World Class Wreckin’ Cru, N.W.A., and also a solo artist, Dr Dre now serves as a mentor to younger rap stars. Net worth $810 million.
Up next: the wealthiest magician
Wikipedia
10. MAGICIAN: DAVID COPPERFIELD
To most Americans over the last 40 years, the word “magician” is interchangeable with David Copperfield. Considered by many to be the most financially rewarded magician ever, he even owns not 1 but 11 islands in the Bahamas. Net worth $850 million.
Up next: the wealthiest author
Wikipedia
9. AUTHOR: JK ROWLING
The author and creator of the well-loved Harry Potter series of books, as well as licensed Harry Potter movies, toys, and merchandise, JK Rowling has become the first billionaire author in history. She is now writing mystery novels and recently opened a Harry Potter Theme Park. Net Worth $1 billion.
Up next: the wealthiest athlete
8. ATHLETE: MICHAEL JORDAN
Baseball player, underwear model, Olympian, and-oh-he just happens to be the greatest player in NBA history. No matter what, everyone at some time has wanted to “be like Mike.” Jordan is also the gold standard of endorsement deals with endorsement income greater than the payrolls of 10 NBA teams combined. Net Worth $1.1 Billion.
Up next: the wealthiest rock star
7. ROCK STAR:PAUL MCCARTNEY
Paul McCartney was a member of one of the most famous bands of all time, the Beatles. He had 20 #1 hits with the Beatles, and 9 #1 hits on his own. In 1997, Queen Elizabeth II knighted him, giving him the title of “Sir” James Paul McCartney. Net Worth $1.2 Billion.
Up next: the wealthiest musician
Wikipedia
6. MUSICIAN: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
Andrew Lloyd Webber is famous for being the composer of modern musicals, including Cats, Evita, and Phantom of the Opera. He is the recipient of 3 Grammys and 7 Tony awards. Net Worth $1.2 Billion.
Up next: the wealthiest media mogul
5. MEDIA MOGUL: OPRAH WINFREY
Considered by many to be the most influential woman alive today, Oprah owns her own cable channel, magazine, and Harpo Productions (Oprah spelled backwards). For years, she has set the standard for daytime talk shows, and even gave Dr. Phil his start as well. Net Worth $4.2 Billion.
Up next: the wealthiest actor
Wikipedia & Instagram
4. ACTOR: DINA MERRILL
Born in 1925, Dina Merrill was a famous movie star during the 1950’s and 60’s who starred with Carey Grant in Operation Petticoat in 1959. But the real source of her wealth was her marriage to Stanley M. Rumbough, Jr., who was the heir to the Colgate-Palmolive company fortune. Net Worth $5 Billion.
Up next: the wealthiest director
Wikipedia
3. DIRECTOR: GEORGE LUCAS
George Lucas is the famous director who gave us the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises and also E.T. In 2012, he dramatically increased his wealth by selling Lucasfilm to Disney for a mere $4 billion dollars. Fun Fact: A bad car accident thwarted Lucas from his dream of becoming a race car driver, but fortunately for movie fans, he found a new occupation to keep himself busy! Net Worth $5.1 Billion.
Up next: the wealthiest fashion designer
2. FASHION DESIGNER: RALPH LAUREN
Known worldwide as a fashion designer, Ralph Lauren recently relinquished his CEO role at Ralph Lauren Corp. One fact people may not know is that Lauren did not formally train as a fashion designer—he actually attended business school. He is also known for his extensive car collection, and recently donated over $10 million dollars to the Smithsonian for preservation of the original Star Spangled Banner American flag. Net Worth $8 billion.
Up next: the wealthiest politician
Wikipedia
1. POLITICIAN: MICHAEL BLOOMBERG
Before he was elected Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg made his billions as found and CEO of Bloomberg L.P., a global financial data and media company that sells the Bloomberg Terminal, a real-time stock market trading terminal. He is the sixth wealthiest person in the United States. A noted philanthropist, he plans to give away his wealth before he dies. Net Worth $37.2 Billion.
