There aren’t too many billionaires in the world. They’re the wealthy elites that can’t possibly want for anything anymore with how much money they have. And out of that group, a very small percentage of them are black. These are some of the wealthiest black people in the world.
25. Beyonce – $440 Million
All hail the Queen! Beyonce’s had a massively successful music career, as both the lead singer of Destiny’s Child and on her own solo career. As such, she’s managed to get a net worth of $440 million.
24. Floyd Mayweather – $450 Million
A former boxer, Floyd Mayweather made a transition to become a promoter in the sport he once participated in. He was a rather successful boxer as well, currently having a net worth of $450 million.
23. Magic Johnson – $600 Million
Basketball stars can really rake in the dough, and Magic Johnson isn’t an exception to that rule. The legend has managed to amass a net worth of $600 million.
22. Puff Daddy – $740 Million
Also know as P. Diddy, Puff Daddy may be the first rapper on this list, but he’s certainly not the last. His popularity in his rap career has allowed him make quite the pretty penny, with a net worth of $740 million.
21. Dr. Dre – $800 Million
Dr. Dre’s rap career has proven to be just a tad bit more successful than Puff Daddy’s. His net worth is currently $800 million.
20. Tiger Woods – $800 Million
Tiger Woods is probably the most famous golfer in America. His net worth clearly supports that, having one of $800 million. He’s not just the wealthiest black golfer in the world, but the wealthiest professional golfer in the world.
19. Lebron James – $850 Million
Our second basketball player, Lebron James proves how important talent is when it comes to playing basketball. And that talent also helps you get ad and movie deals to further increase your wealth. His net worth is currently $850 million.
18. Tyler Perry – $1 Billion
An actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, Tyler Perry is the first person on this list to crack the billions. He owns Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. While most well-known for his Medea film franchise, he’s been a part of far more than just that.
17. Alex Karp – $1.2 Billion
Karp seems light-skinned, but he’s actually biracial. He’s the co-founder and CEO of the software firm Palatir Technologies. This has allowed him to gain a large fortune and a net worth of $1.2 billion.
16. Jay-Z – $1.3 Billion
It’s not very surprising that the husband of Beyonce is so rich. He’s the first hip-hop billionaire and the first one on this list to crack a billion dollars for his net worth, at $1.3 billion. Forbes said, in relation to his fortune, that he has a “sprawling and diverse empire”.
15. Tope Awotona – $1.4 Billion
Tope Awotona is the founder and CEO of Calendly. He was once a salesman for different tech firms, but has really worked his way up since then. His net worth is $1.4 billion.
14. Michael Jordan – $1.7 Billion
Michael Jordan is the richest NBA player, past or present, on this list, but that’s not exactly how he made all his money. He’s a businessman and still has sponsorships with a lot of different sports brands. His net worth is currently $1.7 billion.
13. Rihanna – $1.7 Billion
Starting out with a music career, Rihanna’s since branched out into the cosmetics industry. Her net worth of $1.7 billion is in part due to her ever-expanding Fenty empire.
12. Michael Lee-Chin – $1.9 Billion
A Jamaican native of mixed race, Michael Lee-Chin’s fortune has come from his investments in the National Commercial Bank Jamaica, AIC Limited, and other companies. His net worth is $1.9 billion.
11. Kanye West – $2 Billion
Jay-Z may have been the first hip-hop billionaire, but Kanye West, now known as Ye, is the richest one. Not only has his rap career been especially successful, his business ventures with the Yeezy brand of sneakers has really paid off. His net worth is $2 billion.
10. Isabel Dos Santos – $2.3 Billion
Of Angolan and Russian descent, Isabel Dos Santos is one of the richest women on this list. A businesswoman, she’s gained a great deal of her wealth from her investment in Angolan companies. Her net worth is currently $2.3 billion.
9. Oprah Winfrey – $2.6 Billion
Oprah Winfrey is an accomplished entertainer and actress, with an expansive media empire. She also has shares in Weight Watchers and a partnerships with Apple. With everything she has going for her, it’s not surprising she’s the richest woman on this list. Her net worth is currently $2.6 billion.
8. Patrice Motsepe – $3.4 Billion
Patrice Motsepe was the first Black African to appear on Forbes‘ list of billionaires. He became a billionaire in 2008, amassing his wealth as the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals. His net worth is currently $3.4 billionaire.
7. Strive Masiyiwa – $3.9 Billion
Strive Masiyiwa’s claim to fame is his success in launching mobile phone network, Econet, in Zimbabwe. He and his wife have also provided more than 250,000 scholarships to young Africans over the last 20 years through their Higherlife Foundation. Masiyiwa’s current net worth is $3.9 billion.
6. David Steward – $5.8 Billion
David Steward is the co-founder and chairman of World Wide Technology. The company is an IT provider worth $11.2 billion. Some customers include Citi, Verizon, and even the federal government. Steward’s current net worth is $5.8 billion.
5. Abdul Samad Rabiu – $6.8 Billion
Abdul Samad Rabiu founded the BUA Group. It’s a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in sugar refining, cement production, real estate, steel, port concessions, manufacturing, oil, gas, and shipping. Rabiu’s net worth is currently $6.8 billion.
4. Mohammed Al-Amoudi – $6.35 Billion
Mohammed Al-Amoudi is an Ethiopian-Saudi businessman. He was previously Ethiopia’s richest man, and the second richest Saudi Arabian citizen, but he was more recently arrested as a part of a corruption crackdown in Saudi Arabia. While he has since been released, this did seem to affect his net worth. It’s currently listed as $6.35 billion.
3. Robert F. Smith – $6.7 Billion
Robert F. Smith’s money came from Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm he founded in 2000. He’s been making so much money that he and his family pledged to help eliminate the entirety of the student debt in the Morehouse College Class of 2019. Smith’s net worth is currently $6.7 billion.
2. Mike Adenuga – $7.2 Billion
Mike Adenuga made his first million dollars at age 26, selling lace and soft drinks. And since then, he’s built a vast fortune for himself in telecommunications and oil production. His net worth is currently $7.2 billion.
1. Aliko Dangote – $14.3 Billion
The richest man in Africa and the richest black man in the world. Aliko Dangote’s fortune comes from his expertly bought and traded stocks. He founded and owns 88% of Dangote Cement and owns stakes in salt, sugar, and flour manufacturing companies. He has a net worth of $14.3 billion.
Honorable Mention: Mary Ellen Pleasant – $864 Million
Mary Ellen Pleasant was arguably one of the first African Americans to ever become a millionaire, as well as one of the first to ever be considered wealthy. Her assets were estimated to be worth $30 million. Adjusted for inflation, that would be around $864 million.
Honorable Mention: Eddie Murphy – $600 Million
Eddie Murphy has become a comedy legend. With a successful acting and voice acting career, people have laughed at his performances for years. He’s not the richest person on this list, but he’s certainly worth mentioning. If he was still making as many movies as he used to, he’d probably cross the billion dollar mark no problem.
Honorable Mention: Rachel Rodgers – $18 Million
Rachel Rodgers is by no means the richest person to appear on this list, even if she is a millionaire. However, she’s a self-made author that earned every penny she has through hard work and determination. A more recent addition to the wealthy, she at least deserves our respect.
Honorable Mention: Robert Reed Church – $21 Million
Robert Reed Church was another early black millionaire. While his full earning at the time didn’t reach a round million, closer to $700,000, adjusted for inflation his worth is estimated around $21 million. He was also one of the richest people in the South, and of the first black individuals in the South to become wealthy.
Honorable Mention: Sevetri Wilson
While her net worth isn’t publicly known, Sevetri Wilson is a self-made millionaire. She’s a journalist, writer, and even CEO of her own tech company!
Honorable Mention: Barack Obama – $400 Million
Barack Obama is famous for being the first African American president in United States history. And holding the highest office in the country is going to give you a big paycheck. Even after leaving the Oval Office, he’s continued to write books and take part in other projects. The well certainly won’t run dry for a while.
Honorable Mention: Hannah Elias – $17 Million
Hannah Elias was a sex worker and mistress initially, but she used the money she made to truly elevate her station. She was one of the richest people in the world at her time, and one of the richest women. Her assets were believed to be around $1 million in 1865. And in today’s money that’s around $17 million.
Honorable Mention: April Stewart – $1.5 Million
April Stewart hasn’t made the most money, but she’s another self-made millionaire. According to herself, she became one somewhat by accident. She’s another writer who gives advice to people on how to save money.
Honorable Mention: Annie Turnbo-Malone – $10 Million
Annie Turnbo-Malone was a self-taught chemist and orphan who lived between 1869 and 1957. She created the first hair care products, making her tons of money. By the end of her life, her estate was approximated to be worth $1 million, which is about $10 million in today’s money.
Honorable Mention: Madam C.J. Walker – $10 Million
Madam C.J. Walker was actually a former employee of Turnbo-Malone. She would go on to form her own company and make as much money as her predecessor.
