SINGER and businesswoman Rihanna is worth a whopping US$1.7 billion (RM7.17 billion), Forbes said on Wednesday, making her one of the richest woman musicians on the planet.
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 on Wednesday it estimated around US$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 with the goal of promoting 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 US$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. – AFP, August 5, 2021
