Top 11 Black Billionaires in United States

The world’s billionaire population reached a record high last year, with Forbes reporting a total of 2,781 billionaires globally. Amidst this vast wealth, only 11 of these billionaires are Black, representing less than 1% of the global total, and among them, just two are women, and eleven are Americans.

Here’s a closer look at the 11 Black billionaires who have carved out significant fortunes across diverse industries:

LeBron James, $1.2 billion:

Known for his prowess on the basketball court, James has also excelled in business with ventures such as Blaze Pizza and endorsements with major brands like Nike and Coca-Cola, alongside his media company, SpringHill Entertainment.

Tiger Woods, $1.3 billion:

Woods’ success in golf and lucrative endorsements with companies like Nike, Gatorade, and Rolex have significantly contributed to his wealth.

Rihanna, $1.4 billion:

The singer has turned her Fenty beauty brand into a billion-dollar empire, recently expanding into sleepwear and lingerie.

Tope Awotona, $1.4 billion:

The founder of Calendly, Awotona moved from Lagos, Nigeria to the U.S. as a teenager and eventually launched the successful software company after several earlier business attempts.

Tyler Perry, $1.4 billion:

Perry has made his mark as an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, and owns the expansive Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, $1.6 billion:

The NBA legend has diversified his earnings into ventures like Starbucks and real estate, reaching billionaire status by 2023.

Jay-Z, $2.5 billion:

In June 2019, Jay-Z became Hip-Hop’s first proven and viable billionaire, thanks to what Forbes called a “sprawling and diverse empire.”

Oprah Winfrey, $3 billion:

Beyond her media and entertainment empire, Winfrey’s investments include Weight Watchers and a partnership with Apple. Her philanthropic efforts have been substantial, particularly in education for girls in South Africa.

Michael Jordan, $3.5 billion:

Still earning from endorsements with brands like Hanes and Gatorade, Jordan has continued to grow his wealth long after retiring from basketball.

Alexander Karp, $9.7 billion:

As co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, Karp has played a crucial role in the tech industry.

Robert F. Smith, $10.8 billion:

Robert F. Smith made his fortune through the private equity firm Vista Equity Partners, which he founded in 2000. A graduate of Cornell, he pledged $50 million (personally and through a foundation) to the university in 2016. In 2019, Smith announced his family was providing a grant to eliminate the student debt of the entire Morehouse College Class of 2019.

These 21 individuals exemplify achievement in a variety of fields, from technology and entertainment to manufacturing and beyond, highlighting the diverse avenues through which Black entrepreneurs and executives have built and sustained considerable wealth.