5 Richest Black Self-Made Women in the USA


America is called the land of opportunities. And the sentiment has never been more true for the most successful Black women in the United States. Building up their legacy from the ground up, they have served as an inspiration to their fellow Americans. Here are several of the richest self-made Black women in the United States today.


5. Beyoncé


The record-breaking pop icon Beyoncé unsurprisingly enters the list of the wealthiest self-made Black women in America as well. Forever transforming the music industry for her sheer and award-winning talent as a musician, Beyoncé has amassed a $540 million fortune thanks to the millions of sales on her record albums and constantly sold-out concerts as she tours all over the world.


4. Janice Bryant Howroyd


Janice Howroyd, the CEO of the employment agency ActOne, continues to amass a large fortune as her empire continues to thrive. With a stunning net worth of up to $600 million, Janice bravely stood up against discrimination and racism. 


She worked her way up to the top of the ladder to become the first Black woman in history to own a company with a net worth of over a billion dollars.


3. Sheila Johnson


Possessing a net worth of $840 million, Sheila Johnson has made many milestones and accomplishments in her career that have made her worth such a massive fortune. She has made the record books as the first Black woman in history to become a billionaire. 


Sheila is the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television or BET but has since sold off her shares. She is also known as the CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts.


2. Rihanna


Another music superstar who has made waves in the industry to become a cultural icon is none other than Rihanna who has a staggering net worth of over $1.4 billion


Rihanna’s billion-dollar net worth did not only come from the earnings she has made with her iconic musical career that has witnessed the birth of hits such as “Umbrella” and “Work.  


In fact, Rihanna’s entrepreneurial skill was also in full display with the boom of her Fenty Beauty cosmetics line which has annual sales of more than $500 million.


1. Oprah Winfrey


The richest self-made Black woman in the USA is none other than Oprah Winfrey. Amassing a whopping $2.8 billion net worth, she has had an inspiring life journey that is the very embodiment of a “rags-to-riches” story.


Growing up wearing potato sacks as dresses due to extreme poverty, Oprah gradually hustled during her career until she landed a breakthrough stint as host of The Oprah Winfrey Show which paved the way for her to become a media tycoon by establishing the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).



By Neil Gregorio

Neil Gregorio is an advertising copywriter who writes as a hobby; when he is away from the keyboard, he spends his time watching Japanese animated shows and jamming out to his favorite rock music.


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