Here are the richest self-made Black women in America

Black women are becoming some of the most successful group of entrepreneurs worldwide. By dint of hard work, many of them have joined the list of richest self-made women in America. The list, compiled annually by Forbes, details the worth of America’s most successful women entrepreneurs and executives.

This year’s Forbes list put a spotlight on the 100 richest self-made entrepreneurs, executives and entertainers in the U.S. worth a collective $90 billion. Members hail from all over the U.S. but are heavily concentrated in California where 45 live, said Forbes. Fortunes were calculated using stock prices from September 11, 2020.

Here’s a look at the Black women who made the list.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey, 66, is ranked 9th on the Forbes list and happens to be the only Black female billionaire on the list. She has a net worth of $2.5 billion and made her money from reinvesting profits from her talk show, her cable network, weight watchers and a multiyear content partnership with Apple tv+.

According to Forbes, her 25.5% stake in cable Channel OWN is worth more than $65 million while her stake in Weight Watchers is around 10%.



Sheila Johnson



With a net worth of $770 million, Sheila Johnson is ranked 25th on the Forbes richest self-made women in America. She cofounded Cable TV channel Black Entertainment Network (BET) in 1979 with her then-husband Robert. She sold her shares in the company following her divorce for $2.9 billion in 2001.

“She has since invested in hotels in Florida and Virginia, planes, real estates and horses,” according to Forbes. She is the only Black woman to own stakes in three professional sports teams: WNBA, Mystics, NBA Wizards, and NHL Capital, Forbes adds.

Rihanna



Ranked 33 on the Forbes richest self-made women in America, the Barbados native is widely known for her musical success. However, according to Forbes, she made a bulk of her fortune from Fenty Beauty, the makeup brand she co-owns with luxury group LVMH.

Networth $600 million, Rihanna, 32, also co-owns Savage X Fenty lingerie line with investors including online fashion firm TechStyle Fashion Group.

Forbes describes her as one of the most publicly charitable celebrities. She reportedly donated $8 million to coronavirus relief efforts and gave $1 million and #2.1 million to New York’s needy and abused victims in LA respectively.

Beyoncé Knowles



At age 39, the mother of three is worth $420 million, according to Forbes. She is married to billionaire rapper Jay-Z. She first rose to fame as the lead singer in Destiny’s child. Since then, she is regarded as one of the most successful black female entertainers.

In 2019, Beyoncé announced a partnership deal with Adidas to relaunch her activewear line, Ivy Park. Also, she signed a deal with Netflix worth around $60 million to release “Homecoming”, a live album, and a special documentary about her groundbreaking 2018 performance at Coachella.

In 2019, Beyoncé announced a partnership deal with Adidas to relaunch her activewear line, Ivy Park. Also, she signed a deal with Netflix worth around $60 million to release “Homecoming”, a live album, and a special documentary about her groundbreaking 2018 performance at Coachella.

Janice Bryant Howroyd



Janice Bryant Howroyd is the founder and CEO of ActOne, a provider of workforce solutions such as temporary staffing. In 2017, ActOne made revenue of $950 million. She opened her business back in 1978 with $1,500 including a $900 loan from her mother, a fax machine and a phone. Today, her agency employs more than 2,600 people in 19 countries with over 17,000 clients.Janice, 68, also owns several properties with her family, including commercial and rental properties and residences.

Serena Williams



The tennis superstar is worth $225 million. “She has more than a dozen corporate partners, and her $94 million in career prize more is twice as much as any other female athlete, “according to Forbes.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner, through her Serena Ventures, has invested in more than 50 startups worth at least $10 million. Serena Ventures is focused on companies founded by women and minorities and has committed 60% of her investment so far in this area.

The 39-year-old in 2018 launched a self-funded, direct-to-consumer clothing line, S by Serena. She also has a stake in Miami Dolphins and UFC, according to Forbes.