Billionaires with star status: these are the world's richest entertainers

It's no surprise that Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg top the brand-new Forbes billionaires list. But among this year's record-breaking 3,028 billionaires are some notable household names.

It’s no surprise that Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg top the brand-new Forbes billionaires list. But among this year’s record-breaking 3.028 billionaires are some notable household names.

Steven Spielberg | €4.9 billion

The director who turned sharks, dinosaurs and archaeologists into world stars. Steven Spielberg, now 78, is a Hollywood legend with a filmography that has grossed more than $10 billion worldwide at the box office. He rose to fame with classics like The Man Who Killed Us Jaws en Jurassic Park , and founded DreamWorks in 1994, together with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.

But it's not just movies: Spielberg also made a deal that gives him a lifetime share of Universal theme park ticket revenue. That still earns him millions a year, thanks in part to hits like Indiana JonesHe remains active in the director's chair, with recent films including West Side Story and the autobiographical The Fabelmans.

George Lucas | €4.7 billion

The creator of Star Wars and founder of Lucasfilm sold his empire to Disney in 2012 for over €3.7 billion. Since then, George Lucas has largely withdrawn from Hollywood and focused on philanthropy: his foundation now manages over €900 million.

Lucas built his fortune not only with films, but also with merchandise – a golden opportunity. His latest project? The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, funded entirely by him and his wife. 

Michael Jordan | €3.2 billion

The greatest basketball player of all time didn't make his fortune on the court, but off it. Michael Jordan earned 'only' €83 million in salary during his NBA career, but raked in more than €2.2 billion through deals with Nike, Hanes and Gatorade, among others.

In 2023, he sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets for a sum that valued the club at €2.8 billion. He also invests in NASCAR and DraftKings, among others. 

Oprah Winfrey | €2.8 billion

Oprah started out as a talk show host, but built her success into a media empire. The proceeds of The Oprah Winfrey Show, combined with films such as The Color Purple en Selma, earned her more than €2.3 billion.

In 2011, she launched her own channel, OWN, most of which she later exchanged for shares in Warner Bros. Discovery. She donated her shares in WeightWatchers to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2024. And she is also big in real estate: with more than 2.100 hectares of land in Hawaii and several villas in California. 

Vince McMahon | €2.8 billion

From wrestling commentator to entertainment billionaire, Vince McMahon bought his father’s wrestling company in 1982 and built it into the global WWE. The merger with UFC in 2023 led to the creation of TKO Group Holdings, securing McMahon’s business legacy. Despite personal controversy, his net worth is firmly entrenched.