What is Rihanna's net worth?

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a hugely popular singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born in Barbados and rose to fame in the mid-2000s with hits such as "Pon de Replay" and "Umbrella."

The singer has also branched out into fashion, acting and makeup, and it’s these investments which make up the majority of her net wealth today.

Rihanna's net worth according to Forbes is $1.4 billion. She became America’s youngest self-made billionaire in 2022.

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Here we look at how Rihanna built her fortune and the factors contributing to her net wealth today.

Rihanna's music career

Rihanna was born and raised in Barbados, where she formed a girl group with two classmates at the age of 15. Her talent for singing was quickly picked up by a local music producer named Evan Rogers, who invited her to New York.

The singer’s career took off from there. In New York, Rihanna recorded a series of demo tracks. These impressed the industry, and most importantly, Jay-Z, who signed her to his record label, Def Jam Recordings.

It wasn’t long before the young star began to make waves around the world with her records. Her debut single, "Pon de Replay," was released in 2005 and quickly became a hit, reaching the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her debut album, "Music of the Sun," followed shortly after.

Over the years Rihanna has built a reputation for herself with her music and her network, surrounding herself and collaborating with artists like Kanye West, Eminem and Drake. The singer was previously married (now divorced) to artist Chris Brown, and she has now started a family with rapper A$AP Rocky. 

The singer has also gone on to perform for the Super Bowl halftime show and win the prestigious Vanguard award, which has been taken home by Madonna, Beyonce and Michael Jackson. 

Rihanna’s music stood out for its mix of influences. Featuring a mix of reggae, dancehall, and R&B influences, the singer’s music appealed to a wide range of listeners and fans. And she’s continued to use this approach as she’s built her business empire.

The artist slowed down the release of new music. Her latest album ANTI, came out in 2016. This is down to Rihanna’s other business ventures taking priority.  

Rihanna's business interests boost her net wealth

Rihanna is not only a talented musician and actress, but she is also a successful entrepreneur. She has launched several businesses over the years, including Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty, and Fenty Skin. All of these businesses were born out of a desire to appeal to a wide audience and appeal to customers other brands have been leaving behind.

Fenty Beauty, which was launched in 2017, revolutionised the makeup industry with its inclusive range of shades for all skin tones. The brand has received numerous accolades for its innovative products, such as the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation and the Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer.

Savage X Fenty, launched in 2018, is a lingerie brand that celebrates diversity and body positivity. The brand offers a wide range of sizes and styles and has become a fan favourite for its comfort and affordability.

In 2020, Rihanna launched Fenty Skin, a skincare line that emphasises simplicity and effectiveness. The brand's products, such as the Total Cleans'r Remove-It-All Cleanser and the Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer, have gained a loyal following.

With already a huge fan base as an artist, there was no doubt that with good product these ventures would be a success.  

Rihanna's interest in Fenty Beauty

While Rihanna’s other businesses have helped the star build her net wealth, it’s Fenty Beauty that’s been the most successful enterprise for the entrepreneur.

Since its launch in 2017, Fenty has grabbed a large share of the global cosmetics market by appealing to a wide range of skin tones, and heavy use of social media to promote its products.

The combination of both social media expansion and inclusive cosmetics.has helped Fenty Beauty tap into previously underserved markets, boosting the brand's popularity. Moreover, the brand is seen as accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.

Within this inclusive framework, Fenty has created a sense of community around its brand. It hosts events and pop-up shops, which allow customers to interact with the brand and its products in real life. It also sponsors users on social media, which feeds back into the market strategy, but it also shows users just how much the brand cares about them, reinforcing the kind of brand loyalty other firms would kill for, and spend billions of dollars building.

Of course, no brand will survive today without offering a high-quality product, and for Fenty, that’s even more important. A brand with a high social media presence needs to be able to stand up to scrutiny - users will quickly see through all the glossy marketing if it can’t stand up to real life.

This is where Fenty really stands out. The brand's products are known for their long-lasting wear, impressive pigmentation, and innovative formulas. The brand's Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is known for its ability to even out skin tone and provide a flawless finish that lasts all day.

It’s this attention to detail that’s helped Fenty gain such a loyal following, and it’s one of the main reasons why the brand comprises such an important part of Rihanna’s net wealth.