Last Updated: April 07, 2022
Black billionaire celebrities are often visible in the world now. They are individuals from African descent with a net worth of some billions. While we hardly find any significant difference in their status, we come across a magnificent drop in their net worth. Though they’re renowned business people, they know how to spend their wealth in the process of making their lives more comfortable and breathtaking at the same time.
Many of these black billionaires are self-made and self-starters who had built their business empires in media, sports, finance, and commodities. Their status in society has given them the all-important ‘celebrity’ tag. These multiracial billionaires with black ancestry have been identified over several years and they are considered to be top richest black celebrities for not only their wealth but political clout and market sway also.
Today we are going to discuss some of the top 30 black celebrities and the list is as follows:
1. Aliko Dangote
Net Worth: $10.9 Billion
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote is the founder of Dangote Cement which is the continent’s largest cement producer. He owns almost 85% of publicly-traded Dangote Cement and it produces 45.6 million metric tons annually. The company operates in ten countries across Africa.
62-year-old Dangote has completed his bachelor’s degree from Al-Azhar University and he also owns stakes in sugar, flour, and salt manufacturing companies. His refinery is under construction for three years and it is expected to be one of the world’s largest oil refinery when it will complete.
2. Mike Adenuga
Net Worth: $9.1 Billion
The 66-years-old Nigerian Mike Adenuga is the second richest man in the Black community who has built his fortune in oil production and telecom.
His phone network, Globacom is considered to be the third-largest operator in Nigeria that has 43 million subscribers. Adenuga’s oil exploration outfit, Conoil Producing works in six blocks in the Niger Delta. He earned his MBA degree from Pace University in New York. When he was a student, he used to work as a taxi driver to support his education. He made his first million when he was 26 by distributing soft drinks and selling lace.
3. Mohammed Al Amoudi
Net Worth: $8.4 Billion
The Ethiopian-Saudi billionaire businessman, Mohamed Al Amoudi is the third richest black person in the world. He made his fortune in construction and real estate prior to branching out to buy oil refiners in Sweden and Morocco.
He has established himself as the largest individual foreign investor in Ethiopia and a major investor in Sweden. He also owns land used to produce coffee and he has donated $500k to the Ethiopian National Coffee Museum. He has been honored at Addis Ababa University and also was honored with the Order of the Polar Star.
4. Robert F. Smith
Net Worth: $5 Billion
Robert F. Smith built his fortune through the private equity firm, Vista Equity Partners that he founded in 2000. His firm specializes in software companies. He has donated $50 million personally and through a foundation to the Cornell University in 2016.
He served as an executive at Goldman Sachs prior to his private equity firm. He worked with the heavyweights including Texas Instruments, Apple, Yahoo, Microsoft, eBay in his time at Goldman Sachs. He also worked on various ventures over the years and contributed to causes like cancer research, wildlife conservation, and education.
5. Abdul samad Rabiu
Net Worth: $3.1 Billion
The 59-year-old Abdul samad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group which is a Nigerian conglomerate active in cement production, real estate, and sugar refining.
He merged his privately owned Cement Company with the top farm, Cement Co. of Northern Nigeria that he controlled. The merged firm, BUA Cement Plc trades on the Nigerian stock exchange and he owns 98.5% of it. In 1988, he set up his own business in importing steel, iron, and chemicals.
6. David Steward
Net Worth: $3 Billion
David Steward is the co-founder and chairman of World Wide Technology but his journey to reach the top wasn’t at all smooth. He invested $250,000 that he earned from two auditing ventures to launch World Wide Technology that offers software and hardware products and services to public and private customers.
The clients of the company include Citi, U.S. government, Verizon, etc. In 2001, he has graced the cover of BLACK ENTERPRISE. The 67-year-old business tycoon has been ranked as no. 743 on Forbes’ list of the global billionaire.
7. Oprah Winfrey
Net Worth: $2.5 Billion
The Queen of All Media, Oprah Winfrey has a massive net worth of $2.5 billion and she has a large partnership with Weight Watchers.
Oprah Winfrey has bought a 10% stake in 2015 and she became the ambassador for the company, Weight Watchers. Her stake was estimated at $427 million by 2018. She also generates revenue with various business endeavors like the ownership of the cable network, OWN, a multi-year content partnership deal with Apple, Harpo Films, and also with her iconic talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. She donated almost half a billion dollars to charities throughout her career including over $100 million to Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.
8. Michael Lee-Chin
Net Worth: $2.5 Billion
The Jamaican native, Michael Lee-Chin built his fortune by investing in National Commercial Bank Jamaica, AIC Limited, and other large companies. He also owns a 65% stake in National Commercial Bank Jamaica.
In 2016, he was appointed as the chairman of the government of Jamaica’s Economic Growth Council. He has made several large pledges and donations in Canada to the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum in 2003, and many more. He was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2017. In 2015, Michael Lee-Chin and his family received the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ National Philanthropy Award.
9. Patrice Motsepe
Net Worth: $2.3 Billion
Patrice Motsepe became the billionaire in 2008 and he is the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals. He was selected to be the first black African on the Forbes list.
He launched a new private equity firm, African Rainbow Capital in 2016 that focused on investing in Africa. He also has a stake in a listed financial services firm, Sanlam. He became the owner and the president of the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and also became the first black partner at a law firm, Bowman Gilfillan. Motsepe bought a low-producing gold mine shafts in 1994 but later, turned them profitable.
10. Isabel Dos Santos
Net Worth: $2.3 Billion
The Princess of Angola, Isabel Dos Santos is the oldest daughter of Angola’s longtime former president, Jose Eduardo Dos Santos. In 2016, her father made her the head of Sonangol but the following year, Angola’s new president removed her from the role.
She had stakes in Angolan companies like a telecom firm and banks. She also owns a share of Portuguese companies such as telecom and cable TV firm, Nos SGPS. She is an independent businesswoman and a private investor who represents solely her interests. She had her degree in Bachelor of Arts/Science from King’s College, London.
11. Michael Jordan
Net Worth: $1.9 Billion
The very famous name in sports, Michael Jordan has his net worth of $1.9 Billion and he took retirement from sports in 2003 but that didn’t stop him to create wealth.
The former athlete later turned out to be a great businessman as well and he became a billionaire with his business investments in 2015. He is often featured in the list of the top black billionaire. He made more than $100 million in royalties from Nike for the Air Jordan line. He owns a very successful NBA team as well. He also earns from endorsements of different products. His post-career activities inspired several players and also many black entrepreneurs in the past decade.
12. Kanye West
Net Worth: $1.3 Billion
He is an American singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, rapper, and fashion designer. His debut album, The College Dropout has been released in 2004 that got critical and commercial success.
His subsequent albums are Late Registration, 808s & Heartbreak, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, etc. His outspoken view and life outside music have gained several media attention. As a fashion designer, he has collaborated with A.P.C, Louis Vuitton, Nike, and many more. He became the founder and head of the creative content company, DONDA. He is also one of the world’s best-selling music artist and he has sold more than 140 million records all over the world and along with that, he has received a total of 21 Grammy Awards that made him one of the most awarded artists of all time.
13. Mo Ibrahim
Net Worth: $1.1 Billion
Mo Ibrahim is the founder of the British telecom company, Celtel International. His company was one of the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa.
In 2005, he sold the company to Kuwait’s Mobile Telecommunications for $3.4 billion and he kept $1.4 billion. After that, he became a billionaire. Currently, he works through his Mo Ibrahim Foundation to improve the lives of African citizens.
14. Strive Masiyiwa
Net Worth: $1.1 Billion
Strive Masiyiwa overcame the government opposition to launch a mobile phone network, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in his country in 1998. After completing his study at the University of Wales, he used to work at Zimbabwe’s phone company, ZPTC, and then left it to begin an engineering firm, then sold it, and founded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe.
He owns more than 50% stake of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and he also owns more than half of private company, Liquid Telecom that provides satellite services and fiber optic across Africa. His other assets including power distribution firm in Africa, Burundi and Lesotho, and investment in fintech. He also founded the Higherlife Foundation that supports poor children and orphans in South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Burundi.
15. Folorunso Alakija
Net Worth: $1 Billion
The 69-year-old businesswoman, Folorunso Alakija is the vice-chairperson of a Nigerian oil exploration company, Famfa Oil. She also has stakes in a prolific offshore asset in Agbami Oilfield.
Her first company was a fashion label whose customer was the wife of former Nigerian president, Ibrahim Babangida. Her company has been awarded an oil prospecting license in 1993 by the Nigerian government. Later, it was converted to an oil mining lease. The Agbami field is operating since 2008 and Famfa Oil might be operated through 2024.
16. Shawn Carter
Net Worth: $1 Billion
Shawn Carter is better known as Jay-Z is a world-famous hip-hop artist. He has an impressive track record. He is amongst those few entertainers who have crossed the threshold. He also has accomplished it through a wide range of significant investments.
He has expanded his investments in liquor, art, real estate, and also invested in successful companies like Uber. He also owns several businesses including Tidal, Armand de Brignac, Roc Nation, and many more.
17. Diddy
Net Worth: $885 Million
The American rapper, record producer, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, Diddy is also known by the stage names of P. Diddy, Puff Diddy, Puffy, etc. He used to work as a talent director prior to his own record label, Bad Boy Entertainment in 1993.
In 2002, he has been included in the list of top 40 entrepreneurs under 40. In 1998, he began a clothing line, Sean John and he is also a designer of the Dallas Mavericks. In 2015, he collaborated with Mark Wahlberg and Ronald Burkle to purchase a majority holding in a calorie-free beverage for athletes, Aquahydrate. In his musical career, he has released four studio albums and he has won the NAACP Image Award, BET Award, MTV Video Music Award, and others.
18. Sheila Crump Johnson
Net Worth: $740 Million
She is one of the wealthiest black women and she is the fourth world’s richest black woman with an estimated net worth of $740 million on the earth.
She made her fortune by investing in several businesses. She has stakes in a few multi-organizations like NHL, WNBA, NBA, and others. She has founded the leading station in the media industry, Black Television Entertainment. Most of her wealth is for her diverse investments and she owns many mansions and luxury resorts in several countries in the world.
19. Hajia Bola Shagaya
Net Worth: $630 Million
The Nigerian black lady, Hajia Bola Shagaya is amongst the richest woman in Nigeria and the world as well.
She is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Africa. Most of her wealth comes from her real estate business and she also has numerous real estate assets in the United States and Europe. She is the ideal of many aspiring female entrepreneurs. She has stakes in several areas including communications, banking, photography, fashion, oil, and in many other businesses.
20. Rihanna
Net Worth: $600 Million
In the last three years, the singer, Rihanna has made a multi-million dollar fashion and makeup empire and they also positioned her as the richest female musician in the world.
She rose to fame as a singing-sensation and gradually she rebranded herself as a businesswoman in 2017 after she launched her makeup brand, Fenty Beauty. She has sold more than 250 million records and she is one of the world’s best-selling music artists. In 2018, she has been named as one of the 100 Most influential People in the World by Time, and that year, she was appointed to be an ambassador with duties to promote tourism, education, and investment by the Government of Barbados. She has achieved the American Music Award, Grammy Award, People’s Choice Award, Teen Choice Award, and many more.
21. Tyler Perry
Net Worth: $600 Million
In 2011, he has been named as the highest-paid man in the entertainment industry who earned $130 million from 2010-2011.
He has written and produced many stages plays in the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2012, he struck in an exclusive multi-year deal with Oprah Winfrey and her Oprah Winfrey Network. Apart from that, he has in films like Gone Girl, Star Trek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, etc. For his work, he has received the BET Best Movie Award, Golden Raspberry Award, NAACP Image Award, Stinker Award, etc.
22. Magic Johnson
Net Worth: $500 Million
Magic Johnson is an American retired basketball player and also the former president of the National Basketball Association. He has won a championship and an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
He became a two-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame and he also has been rated the greatest NBA point of the guard of all the time. He was chosen as a member of the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team. He has been honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. He became part of a group of investors who purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and Los Angeles Sparks in 2014.
23. Beyonce
Net Worth: $400 Million
Beyonce is known as a global icon and she also has become one of the highest-paid musicians in the world with her talent and hard work. She has established her image as a living legend and she continues to raise the bar in her career.
She rose to fame from being a member of one of the biggest girl groups all the time, Destiny’s Child, and she has released six superhit solo studio albums. She also made appearances in major motion films and toured the world several times. She also released an Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary and launched successful clothing lines. She also has a plathora of brand endorsement. She has received the American Music Award, Grammy Award, MOBO Award, MTV Video Music Award, and others.
24. Janice Bryant Howroyd
Net Worth: $390 Million
Janice Bryant Howroyd is the businesswoman, entrepreneur, author, and mentor who started her company Act 1 Group which is an employment agency and it provides consulting and business services.
She began the company in 1978 from a small office in Beverly Hills. Janice established the company with only $1500 and over the four decades, the company has become one of the largest staffing firms in the world. She attributes her wealth to tap into a $429 global staffing market.
25. Will Smith
Net Worth: $215 Million
He is mainly famous for his movies like Hancock, and Men in Black. He also pocketed a whopping $20 million talent fee for the latest installment of the hit Men in Black III.
He has been ranked as the most bankable star around the world by Forbes. Smith is the only actor who has eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in the domestic box-office and 11 consecutive films that gross-over $150 million internationally. He also released several albums including Big Willie Style, Lost and Found, Wilennium, Born to Reign, etc. For his performance in the films Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, he has been nominated for the Academy Award.
26. Samuel L. Jackson
Net Worth: $150 Million
His most recent box-office hit has been seen getting the top-rated highest-earning film and the Marvel hit flicks, Iron Man and Avengers. He has been said to have signed a deal for those movie appearances in some time other Marvel-related comic book moves.
As per the report, he earns around $10 million a year. He made his debut in acting with the film, Together for Days that was released in 1972. His other important roles are in movies like Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas, Die Hard III, Jungle Fever, Jackie Brown, African Cats, and many more. He has won the BAFTA Award, Black Reel Award, Independent Spirit Award, NAACP Image Award, and others.
