Top 20 richest celebrity billionaires ranked with six sports stars making 2026 list
The top 20 richest celebrity billionaires have been named and ranked - with six sports stars on the list.
In 2025, five sporting celebrities made the list, with tennis icon Roger Federer being added to the 2026 list.
Forbes, who compiled the list, state that the criteria for being a celebrity is to have 'became famous first, then massively rich'.
It adds that those 'who are famous for being wealthy or for the success of their businesses' are not included.
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Let's take a look at the six sports stars in question, followed by the full list of wealthy celebrities:
18) Roger Federer
Net worth: $1.1 billion
He sits second in the Open Era list for most career title wins, at 103, while his tally of 20 Grand Slam titles is bettered by only two other male players - Rafael Nadal (22) and Novak Djokovic (24).
Since announcing his retirement from tennis in 2022, Federer has further advanced his business ventures and continues to hold brand deals with some of the most high-profile companies on the planet, including Rolex and Mercedes-Benz.
Forbes note that an estimated three per cent stake in the Swiss company On, which specialises in athletic sportswear, has been particularly profitable, with the company currently worth around $13 billion on the US stock exchange.
14) LeBron James
Net worth - $1.4 billion
NBA legend LeBron James has maintained his spot in 14th position from 2025, alongside a net worth increase of $0.1 billion.
He is a minority owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC, having purchased a small stake in their majority owners Fenway Sports Group, through his co-founded company RedBird Capital, alongside his business partners in 2021.
At 41 years old, James remains an active NBA player for the Los Angeles Lakers, though there remains speculation over whether he will move elsewhere after the end of the current season.
Forbes state that he has earned over $1 billion from various brand deals and endorsements, including Nike and Beats By Dre.
11) Tiger Woods
Net worth - $1.5 billion
Tiger Woods may have been inactive on the golf circuit over the past 12 months due to various injuries, but the American has also managed to increase his net worth by around $0.1 billion.
Woods ended his iconic and long-standing contract with Nike in 2024, before signing with TaylorMade later that year.
He was also formerly the star and face of EA Sports' PGA Tour series from 1998 to 2011, and signed a 'long-term, exclusive deal' with 2K in 2021.
Woods leads the PGA Tour career money table despite his inactivity in recent years, having collected $120.9 million in prize money - over $10 million more than second-placed Rory McIlroy.
Forbes note that he has earned 'roughly $1.9 billion' throughout his golf career.
10) Magic Johnson
Net worth - $1.6 billion
Unlike the names above, Magic Johnson did not earn a significant portion of his current wealth while playing in the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s.
In retirement, the now 66-year-old is the face of the ownership group that controls Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball, and is also co-owner of Major League Soccer franchise Los Angeles FC.
He invested $220 million in NFL side Washington Commanders in 2024, and is part of the ownership group of National Women's Soccer League side Washington Spirit - who recently made Trinity Rodman the highest-earning women's footballer of all-time on a $2 million per year contract.
4) Vince McMahon
Net worth - $3.6 million
Vince McMahon's vast net worth is derived from the growth of what was originally founded in 1980 as Titan Sports Inc., which eventually acquired WWE in 1982.
WWE generated a record $1.71 billion in revenue for 2025.
The company is now controlled by TKO Group Holdings, who acquired it from McMahon in 2024. TKO president Mark Shapiro told 'The Pat McAfee Show' in February that WWE and UFC, which are now both under the TKO umbrella, are each valued at $20 billion each.
McMahon resigned as executive chairman of TKO, and sold a significant amount of his shares, in January 2024 after being accused of sex abuse and trafficking by former WWE employee Janel Grant in a lawsuit. McMahon denies the accusations.
3) Michael Jordan
Net worth - $4.3 billion
Like Magic Johnson before him, Michael Jordan has earned a considerable amount of his wealth after retiring from the NBA.
He has been signed to Nike since 1984, with the company producing sportswear for him under the 'Air Jordan' line in 1985.
In 2025, the 'Air Jordan' brand recorded staggering revenues of $7.3 billion for the fiscal year.
He has a minority stake in NBA franchise Charlotte Hornets - having previously held a majority stake - and also co-owns NASCAR team 23XI Racing alongside driver Denny Hamlin.
Forbes state that Jordan earns $2 billion (pre-tax) per year from corporate partners such as Nike and Gatorade.
Top 20 richest celebrities - full list
Here is the full list of top 20 richest celebrities:
- 20) Rihanna - $1 billion net worth
- 19) James Cameron - $1.1 billion
- 18) Roger Federer - $1.1 billion
- 17) Jerry Seinfeld - $1.1 billion
- 16) Arnold Schwarzenegger - $1.2 billion
- 15) Bruce Springsteen - $1.2 billion
- 14) LeBron James - $1.3 billion
- 13) Tyler Perry - $1.4 billion
- 12) Dick Wolf - $1.5 billion
- 11) Tiger Woods - $1.5 billion
- 10) Magic Johnson - $1.6 billion
- 9) Peter Jackson - $1.9 billion
- 8) Kim Kardashian - $1.9 billion
- 7) Taylor Swift - $2 billion
- 6) Jay-Z - $2.6 billion
- 5) Oprah Winfrey - $3.2 billion
- 4) Vince McMahon - $3.6 billion
- 3) Michael Jordan - $4.3 billion
- 2) George Lucas - $5.2 billion
- 1) Steven Spielberg - $7.1 billion
Topics: NBA, Golf, Tennis, Lebron James, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, WWE, Vince McMahon
Ryan Smart