Richest Black Women in the World

Black women have made a tremendous impact in the world and many of them have gone ahead to acquire enormous wealth. Black women in the world are excelling in different fields where they are gaining their wealth from. 

Black women and especially those living in the U.S. have to contend with the wealth gap. Most of them are even competing with men in various industries. Despite the barriers, black women have gone ahead to shine and become successful.

Here, we will be looking at the black richest women in the world, their net worth, and what they do.

Top 10 Black Richest Women in the World

The following are some of the black richest women in the world, their net worth, source of wealth and country of residence. 

1. Oprah Winfrey - $2.5 Billion

• Year of birth: 29 January 1954
• Birthplace: Kosciusko, Mississippi, USA
• Career: Media proprietor, TV host, producer, actress, author 

Oprah Winfrey is the richest black woman in the world with a net worth of $2.5 billion. She is a talk show host, actress, author, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist. She is the CEO of Harpo Productions, a production company she founded in 1986. She is also the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Oprah Winfrey is a self-made billionaire having been born into a poor family. Her mother struggled to provide for the family.

2. Isabel Dos Santos - $2 Billion

• Year of birth: 20 April 1973
• Birthplace: Baku, Azerbaijan
• Career: Businesswoman and investor 

Isabel Dos Santos is the second black richest woman in the world with a net worth of $2 billion. She is an Angolan businesswoman and a child of Angola’s former president José Eduardo dos Santos. She made much of her wealth from investing in different companies.

In January 2021, most of her assets in Angola, Portugal, and the Netherlands were frozen. It was alleged that most of her wealth came from her family’s power. It is also alleged that she owes PT Ventures, a Portuguese company $340 million.

3. Rihanna - $1.4 Billion

• Year of birth: 20 February 1988
• Birthplace: Saint Michael, Barbados
• Career: Actor, songwriter, model, fashion designer 

Rihanna is the third black richest woman in the world. In 2022, she became America’s youngest self-made female billionaire. Rihanna is a singer, songwriter, model, and businesswoman. She is the richest female singer in the world. 

Rihanna has made much of her wealth from her businesses; Fenty Beauty, a cosmetic brand, and Savage X Fenty, a lingerie brand. She has made over $250 million from record sales.

4. Folorunsho Alakija - $1 Billion

• Year of birth: 15 July 1951
• Birthplace: Ikorodu, Nigeria
• Career: Businesswoman 

Folorunsho Alakija is a Nigerian businesswoman with a net worth of $1 billion. She has invested in fashion, real estate, oil, and the printing industry. She is the Managing Director of Rose of Sharon Group and vice chair of Famfa Oil.

She is a former fashion label whose clients include Ibrahim Babangida, former Nigerian president. She is also recognized as the second most powerful woman in Africa.

5. Ngina Kenyatta - $1 Billion

• Year of birth: 24 June 1933
• Birthplace: Kiambu County, Kenya
• Career: Businesswoman 

Ngina Kenyatta is a Kenyan former first lady of Kenya’s first president the Late Jomo Kenyatta. She is also on the list of the black richest women in the world. She is also a businesswoman who has invested in various industries such as agriculture, and tourism.

She is a powerful woman in Africa having been a First Lady and a mother to the former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

6. Sheila Johnson - $750 Million

• Year of birth: 25 January 1949
• Birthplace: McKeesport, Pennsylvania, United States
• Career: Businesswoman and investor

Sheila Johnson is an American businesswoman with a net worth of $750 million. She is the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Salamander Hotels and a partner of three professional sports franchises the NHL, NBA, and WNBA.

Apart from being among the top black richest women in the world, she is also recognized as the first African-American woman to become a billionaire.

Also read: Richest authors in the world.

7. Hajia Bola Shagaya - $700 Million

• Year of birth: 10 October 1959 
• Birthplace: Ilorin, Nigeria
• Career: Businesswoman 

Hajia Bola Shagaya is a Nigerian businesswoman and fashion enthusiast. She is worth around $700 Million.

She has invested in industries such as real estate, banking, communications, and photography. She is the CEO of Bollmus Group International. She also owns luxurious residential properties in Nigeria.

8. Janice Bryant Howroyd - $610 Million

• Year of birth: 1 September 1952
• Birthplace: Tarboro, North Carolina, USA
• Career: Businesswoman 

Janice Bryant Howroyd is an American businesswoman worth $610 million. She is the founder and CEO of ActOne, a workforce solutions provider. She started the business in 1978 after receiving a $900 loan from her mother. Together with her family, she has invested in real estate with multiple properties.

9. Beyonce - $500 Million

• Year of birth: 4 September 1981
• Birthplace: Houston, Texas, USA
• Career: Songwriter, music producer, businesswoman

Beyoncé is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She is also one of the black richest women in the world with a net worth of $500 million. 

Beyoncé has made much of her wealth from album sales and businesses and endorsement deals. She owns a fashion business known as Ivy Park.

10. Serena Williams - $260 Million

• Year of birth: 26 September 1981
• Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan
• Career: Businesswoman, and tennis player

Serena Williams is an American retired professional tennis player with a net worth of $260 million. She is considered as the greatest tennis player of all time. She has earned about $94 million in prize money and $350 million through off-court endorsements. 

She is also a businesswoman owning Serena Ventures and investors in companies like Nestcoin Holding Ltd and Nude Barre; a fashionwear company.

Also read: Where do billionaires live in USA?

Who is the Richest Black Woman in the World?

Oprah Winfrey is the richest black woman in the world with a net worth of $2.5 billion. She has made enormous wealth from her media businesses and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She was born into a poor family but has managed to make wealth on her own.

Summary: Black Richest Woman in the World

Despite many barriers and stiff competition, black women have made enormous wealth in different industries. Most black rich women have invested in businesses while others make money from their talent and hobbies such as singing like Rihanna and Beyoncé or athletics like Serena Williams.

Read More 

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