American filmmaker Steven Spielberg topped the list of the richest celebrities in the world, according to business magazine Forbes, while TV host and author Oprah Winfrey made it into the top 5.
In a list handed out by Forbes for 2025, 18 celebrities made the cut among all the famous names in the entertainment industry whose income and assets amount to billions of dollars.
The 78-year-old Spielberg, with a net worth of US$5.3bil, is widely regarded as one of the greatest film directors of all time and is the most commercially successful director in film history after he rose to fame for his work in Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Jaws, and E.T.
The director first made it onto Forbes’ list of the richest Americans in 1994. He continues to direct successful films in the present time, including the 2021 remake of West Side Story, The Fabelmans, and Ready Player One.
Spielberg has agreed to get 2% of Universal theme park ticket sales in perpetuity in addition to his film royalties.
Followed by Spielberg in number two is another cinema giant George Lucas, who created the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. He founded Lucasfilm and served as chairman before selling it to the Walt Disney Company in 2012.
Given his filmmaking contributions that mostly led to blockbusters and other philanthropist works, Lucas has a net worth of US$5.1bil at 80 years old. Trailing behind him in the list is NBA legend Michael Jordan with US$3.5bil net worth.
Meanwhile, Winfrey landed the No.4 spot with a net worth of US$3bil. From 1986 to 2011, the Queen of All Media gained popularity as host of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
She became the first Black woman to achieve the rank of billionaire in 2003 from her profits in hosting, acting, and production.
With Winfrey’s co-starring role in the 2024 military epic The Six Triple Eight, she continues to generate money in the film industry. She has also invested a large portion of her wealth on real estate in California and Hawaii, where she possesses more than 2,000 acres.
Also included in the list are American businessman and former wrestling promoter Vince McMahon with US$3bil net worth, hip-hop artiste Jay-Z with US$2.5bil , socialite Kim Kardashian with US$1.7bil, Lord Of The Rings director and producer Peter Jackson with US$1.7bil, pop star Taylor Swift with US$1.6bil, former basketball player Magic Johnson with US$1.5bil , actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry with US$1.4bil, American professional golfer Tiger Woods with US$1.4bil , singer Rihanna with US$1.4bil and basketball legend LeBron James with US$1.3bil.
Completing the list are singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen with US$1.2bil, television writer and producer Dick Wolf with US$1.2bil , actor and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with US$1.1bil and comedian Jerry Seinfeld with US$1.1bil. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network
