17 celebrities making more money from business than their day jobs

Seriously lucrative celebrity side hustles

Today, celebrities don’t rely solely on music, movies, or sports careers to make their money. Famous faces are launching everything from beauty brands to fashion lines – and making a fortune in the process. In fact, some incredibly savvy stars are making more money from their business ventures than from their day jobs.

We've ranked 17 of the most successful celebrity side hustles of all time, based on pre-tax earnings from either the sale of their company or the current value of their stake in the business. 

Click or scroll through the gallery and join us as we reveal which celebs have turned their passion projects into money-spinning empires.

All dollar amounts in US dollars

17. Kate Hudson's Fabletics: $50 million

Spotting a gap in the market for affordable yet stylish activewear, actress Kate Hudson co-founded Fabletics in 2013 alongside Adam Goldenberg, Don Ressler, and Ginger Ressler.

In 2017, Forbes valued the sportswear company at $250 million, making Hudson’s 20% stake worth $50 million. However, Fabletics has grown rapidly since, generating $1 billion in sales last year alone, suggesting Hudson's share is likely worth far more today.

In 2021, the company explored going public through an IPO with a $5 billion valuation in mind but ultimately decided to hold off. If the company were ever to go public at that estimate, it would make Hudson an instant billionaire. Regardless, Fabletics remains a massive success, contributing significantly to Hudson’s estimated $80 million net worth.

16. Bethenny Frankel's Skinnygirl: up to $64 million

Bethenny Frankel shot to fame on the reality TV series The Real Housewives of New York City, but the bulk of her estimated $80 million net worth comes from her entrepreneurial ventures.

In 2009, she launched her low-calorie cocktail line, Skinnygirl. When the drinks became a hit, she expanded into snacks and apparel, transforming Skinnygirl into a full-fledged lifestyle brand.

Frankel struck it big when beverage giant Beam Suntory acquired Skinnygirl’s alcoholic drink division in a deal worth $39 million upfront, with the potential to earn an additional $25 million in incentives based on brand performance – bringing the total to $64 million. Meanwhile, Frankel retained the rights to the Skinnygirl name for other product categories like clothing and cookware, allowing her to continue growing her empire.

15. Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop: $75 million

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is arguably just as famous for her lifestyle brand, Goop, as she is for her on-screen roles.

Paltrow launched Goop in 2008, and the brand quickly gained attention for its often eyebrow-raising wellness products. Despite the controversy surrounding some of its items, Goop has grown into a $250 million empire.

Paltrow owns a 30% stake in the company, which means her share is valued at around $75 million, contributing significantly to her estimated $200 million net worth.

14. Ryan Reynold's Mint Mobile: $131 million

Actor Ryan Reynolds has built a $350 million fortune, thanks not just to Hollywood but also to a string of savvy side hustles. His most profitable? Wireless carrier Mint Mobile.

Reynolds purchased a minority stake in Mint Mobile in 2019, and just four years later, in 2023, the company was acquired by T-Mobile for $1.35 billion. The deal reportedly earned him $131 million pre-tax and $70 million after tax.

He also owned a 20% stake in Aviation American Gin. When Diageo acquired the brand for $610 million upfront, Reynolds pocketed $67 million pre-tax. However, he has the potential to earn an additional $55 million in milestone payouts if the brand meets performance targets.

Expanding his business empire even further, he's also the co-owner of the Welsh soccer club Wrexham AFC, which he and fellow actor Rob McElhenney purchased for $2.5 million in 2020.

13. 50 Cent's Vitamin Water: up to $150 million

Rapper 50 Cent (real name Curtis Jackson) became a spokesperson for Vitamin Water in 2004. Instead of taking a standard endorsement fee, he negotiated a 2.5% stake in the company and even launched his own drink, Formula 50.

The deal paid off massively when Coca-Cola acquired Vitamin Water's parent company for $4.1 billion in 2007. Jackson reportedly earned between $100 million and $150 million from the sale.

Despite the windfall, Jackson filed for bankruptcy in 2015. However, he soon bounced back, thanks in part to another savvy side hustle. In 2017, he reportedly sold his minority stake in Effen Vodka for around $60 million pre-tax, though that figure was never officially confirmed. Today, his estimated net worth stands at $100 million.

12. Dolly Parton's Dollywood: $165 million

Music icon Dolly Parton is one of America’s richest self-made women, with a $650 million fortune – a figure that would be even higher if not for her renowned generosity and philanthropy.

While much of her wealth comes from her music career, Parton has also cashed in on an unexpected side hustle: Dollywood, her namesake theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Since opening in 1986, Dollywood has become one of the most-visited tourist attractions in America.

Parton owns a 50% stake in the park, which is estimated to be worth $165 million.

11. George Clooney's Casamigos: $230 million

Actor George Clooney, with an estimated $500 million net worth, is one of Hollywood’s richest stars. But surprisingly, the biggest payday of his career didn’t come from a movie role – it came from tequila.

In 2013, Clooney teamed up with friends Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman to launch Casamigos Tequila. What started as a passion project quickly grew into one of the biggest names in premium spirits.

Just four years later, beverage giant Diageo acquired Casamigos in a deal worth $1 billion. Clooney reportedly walked away with $230 million pre-tax and $150 million after taxes.

10. Roger Federer's On Running: $500 million

Tennis legend Roger Federer has an estimated $750 million net worth. Surprisingly, most of his fortune was made off the court thanks to a game-changing side hustle.

In 2019, Federer partnered with Swiss sportswear brand On Running, becoming the face of the company in exchange for a 3% equity stake. He also launched a signature shoe line with the brand.

Federer’s star power helped On Running reach a $15 billion valuation, making his stake worth an estimated $500 million. This impressive figure is far more than the estimated $130 million he banked on the tennis court.

9. Dr. Dre's Beats: $700 million

Hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre launched the headphone brand Beats in 2008, alongside business partners including music executive Jimmy Iovine (pictured together).

Beats quickly took the market by storm, becoming a must-have music accessory. In 2014, tech giant Apple acquired the company for an eye-watering $3 billion in cash and stock.

Dr. Dre reportedly earned $700 million from the sale, meaning this shrewd side hustle makes up the bulk of his estimated $1 billion net worth.

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8. Hailey Bieber's Rhode: up to $700 million

Supermodel and influencer Hailey Bieber launched her beauty brand, Rhode, in 2022. It's generated more than $200 million in net sales over the past year alone, making it the latest success in the lucrative celebrity beauty brand space.

In May 2025, Bieber sold the company to e.l.f. Beauty in a deal valued at $1 billion. The agreement included around $800 million in upfront cash and stock pre-tax, with the potential for an additional $200 million based on the brand’s future performance. Bieber will remain with Rhode as its Chief Creative Officer.

It’s estimated that Bieber owned a 50-70% stake in Rhode. If the brand unlocks the full $200 million performance payout, she could personally bank around $309 million at a 50% stake or $433 million at a 70% stake after taxes, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Before tax, that's a potential windfall of up to $700 million. Her current estimated net worth stands at $300 million, though it's likely to soar as Rhode grows. 

=6. Jay Z's D’Ussé: $750 million

Jay-Z is officially the richest musician in the world, boasting a $2.8 billion net worth. But he didn’t build his fortune on music alone; he boosted it via various money-spinning side hustles. His most successful ventures? Luxury liquor brands Armand de Brignac and D’Ussé.

Jay-Z purchased the champagne brand Armand de Brignac in 2014, later selling a 50% stake to luxury goods giant LVMH in 2021. The deal reportedly earned him around $300 million. 

In 2023, he struck an even bigger deal, selling his majority stake in his D’Ussé cognac brand to Bacardi for a staggering $750 million. 

=6. Rihanna's Fenty Beauty: $750 million

Musician Rihanna is one of the richest women in the world, with her current net worth estimated at $1 billion, although her fortune peaked at $1.7 billion in 2022. She owes most of her huge fortune to savvy side hustles.

In 2017, Rihanna launched the cosmetics company Fenty Beauty, which she co-owns with French luxury retailer LVMH. A huge success, the company was once valued at $2.8 billion, although it's now closer to $1.5 billion, amid reports that LVMH is looking to sell its share. Rihanna retains a 50% stake worth at least $750 million.

Not content with just one wildly successful business venture, the fashionista star launched her lingerie line, Savage X Fenty, in 2018. She owns a 28% stake in the company, which is valued at $1 billion, with her slice worth around $280 million. Together, the total value of her stakes in both businesses accounts for her mammoth fortune today. 

5. Dwayne Johnson's Teremana: up to $800 million

Dwayne Johnson has worn many hats over the years – wrestler, actor, and, most recently, business mogul.

In 2020, Johnson and his partners launched the premium tequila brand Teremana. The company was an instant hit, selling 300,000 cases in its first year, with sales expected to double the following year.

Today, Teremana is valued at an impressive $2 billion, with Johnson reportedly owning a 30-40% stake. This puts his share of the business at $600-$800 million. While his current net worth is estimated at $800 million, reports suggest he's on track to become a billionaire, largely thanks to his booming tequila empire.

4. Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty: $1.05 billion

Actress and singer Selena Gomez was recently declared a billionaire by Bloomberg in 2024, with an estimated $1.3 billion net worth. But it wasn’t her entertainment career that got her into the 10-figure club – it was her booming beauty business.

Gomez launched Rare Beauty in 2020, and her brand quickly became one of the biggest names in the celebrity beauty industry. Much of its success is thanks to Gomez’s massive influence. She's currently one of the most followed stars on Instagram, with over 414 million followers, allowing her to promote her products directly to a huge global audience.

Today, Rare Beauty is valued at $2 billion, and Gomez’s stake reportedly accounts for around 80% of her total fortune. This means an incredible $1.05 billion of her net worth comes from her wildly successful side hustle.

3. Kylie Jenner's Kylie Cosmetics: $1.06 billion

Reality TV star and influencer Kylie Jenner is one of the richest female celebrities in the world, with an estimated $700 million net worth.

In 2015, at just 17 years old, Jenner launched Kylie Cosmetics, kicking off the brand with her now-iconic Lip Kits product. Five years later, she sold a 51% stake in the company to Coty, earning an estimated $540 million pre-tax from the deal.

Today, Jenner still owns 44% of Kylie Cosmetics, which is valued at $1.2 billion, making her stake worth $528 million. Combined with the proceeds from the Coty sale, her business interests are worth over $1.06 billion.

2. Michael Jordan's Air Jordan: $1.3 billion

NBA superstar Michael Jordan boasts an incredible $4.3 billion fortune according to Forbes. While he's banked millions on the basketball court, a large portion of his wealth comes from a seriously smart business move.

In 1984, Jordan partnered with Nike to launch his signature sneaker line, Air Jordan. The brand quickly became one of the bestselling sports shoe lines of all time.

Since its launch, Jordan has reportedly earned over $1.3 billion from his Nike partnership, making the venture one of the most lucrative side hustles in history.

1. Kim Kardashian's Skims: $1.75 billion

Kylie Jenner isn't the only member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan making a fortune from a side hustle. Older sister Kim is also banking some serious cash. 

The reality TV star launched shapewear brand Skims in 2019. A powerhouse in the fashion industry, last year Skims acquired Kardashian’s skincare brand, SKKN by Kim, bringing her ventures under one umbrella. The company is now valued at $5 billion.

Kardashian owns 35% of Skims, meaning her stake is worth $1.75 billion. Her total net worth stands at an impressive $1.9 billion, according to Forbes.

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