Rihanna, worth $1.7bn, is 'world's richest woman musicians', says Forbes

Singer and businesswoman Rihanna is worth a whopping $1.7 billion, Forbes said Wednesday, making her one of the world’s richest woman musicians. The R&B songstress parlayed success in the singles charts into a huge make-up and fashion empire, with earnings that now dwarf those of other music megastars like Madonna and Beyonce. The Barbados-born Robyn Rihanna Fenty exploded onto the scene in 2005, and logged global hits like ‘We Found Love’ and ‘Umbrella’, a collaboration with Jay-Z. But while downloads and tour tickets have contributed to her wealth, it is her business know-how that has rocketed her into the ranks of the uber-wealthy. Forbes, which regularly compiles lists of the world’s richest people, said Wednesday it estimated around $1.4 billion of her nest egg comes from the value of cosmetics company Fenty Beauty, a partnership with French fashion giant LVMH. Fenty Beauty, which launched in 2017 to promote inclusivity, produces make-up to match dozens of different skin tones. Rihanna’s lingerie company, Savage x Fenty, also contributes to her net worth, Forbes said, pegging the company at $270 million. Although she has not produced an album since 2016, Rihanna still holds sway over legions of fans, with more than 100 million followers on Instagram and Twitter.