Is Rihanna richer than Beyonce?

At first glance, it may seem impossible to determine who is richer between two of music‘s biggest superstars – Rihanna and Beyoncé. But looking closely at their business empires and revenue streams reveals that one singer has a decisive edge. Let‘s take an in-depth look at how they have amassed their fortunes.

Rihanna‘s Empire: How She Built Her $1.7 Billion Net Worth

According to financial reports, Rihanna‘s current net worth is estimated to be $1.7 billion, making her not just one of the world‘s richest musicians, but one of the wealthiest female entertainers ever. So how did she earn such staggering wealth?

Fenty Beauty: The Billion-Dollar Cosmetics Company

The biggest contributor to Rihanna‘s net worth is her cosmetics brand, Fenty Beauty. She launched the company in 2017 with luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, who own the other 50%. In its first full year of business in 2018, Fenty Beauty generated over $550 million in revenue. By 2020, total revenues were over $700 million.

Fenty Beauty sells in over 150 countries, has 2,600 employees, and is valued at over $2.8 billion as of 2022. According to analysts, it is “on track to hit $5 billion in sales” within the next few years. Rihanna‘s 50% stake likely constitutes $1-1.5 billion of her total net worth.

Her Music Career Earnings

While Fenty Beauty may be Rihanna‘s biggest source of wealth, her music career is no small contributor. She has sold over 250 million records worldwide, placing her among the top best-selling artists ever.

Her last tour in 2016, the ‘Anti World Tour‘, grossed over $137 million from 71 sold-out shows, with over 1 million tickets sold. Estimates show Rihanna has earned at least $500-600 million from touring, record sales, merchandise and endorsements to date. Her total career earnings could top $1 billion.

Additional Ventures

On top of her core business pillars, Rihanna earns from other ventures:

• Savage X Fenty – Her lingerie company is worth over $1 billion and backed by top investors like Jay-Z.

• Acting – She has earned millions from movies like Ocean‘s 8. Her estimated per-film salary is $10 million.

• Endorsements – Rihanna has deals with mega-brands like Dior, Chopard and Puma worth at least $10 million annually.

Beyoncé‘s $500 Million Fortune

On the other side, reports estimate Beyoncé‘s current net worth to be around $500 million. While lower than Rihanna‘s, this still makes her one of the most wealthy women in entertainment. Where does Queen Bey‘s fortune come from?

Her Music & Touring Power

Like Rihanna, the bulk of Beyoncé‘s net worth stems from her music career. She has sold over 100 million records as a solo artist, and a further 60 million with Destiny‘s Child.

Her tours regularly break records – her 2016 ‘Formation‘ tour grossed over $250 million from 49 shows. She was the highest paid woman in music in 2014, earning over $100 million.

She also earns significantly from streaming. Spotify revealed her songs were streamed 1.2 billion times in 2016 across all platforms.

Business Ventures

Beyoncé has supplemented her music career income with business ventures like her athleticwear brand Ivy Park. She bought out Ivy Park co-owner Topshop‘s stake in the brand in 2018.

She also has over 20 endorsement deals with brands like Pepsi, Peloton, Tiffany & Co. and Adidas worth upwards of $10 million annually in recent years.

Real Estate Portfolio

Additionally, Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z own a real estate portfolio worth over $100 million. This includes mansions in Los Angeles, New Orleans, East Hampton and the New York penthouse known as the ‘Billionaires‘ building‘.

The Verdict: Rihanna is Far Richer

While both women have amassed huge fortunes, the numbers show Rihanna‘s net worth of $1.7 billion far exceeds Beyoncé‘s $500 million.

The vast difference largely comes down to Rihanna‘s stake in her uber-successful cosmetics empire. While Beyoncé is not far behind in music career earnings, Rihanna‘s Fenty Beauty instantly rocketed her net worth.

However, Beyoncé‘s fortune is certainly nothing to sneeze at. She remains one of the most wealthy and powerful women in music, with a lasting legacy and thriving career after 25+ years.

In the end, both Rihanna and Beyoncé are self-made business powerhouses. Their drive and acumen have won them both a place among the richest global celebrities today.