1. Rihanna’s Beauty Business Became the Real Gold
Rihanna made her name in music, but it was her move into makeup that changed the game. In 2017, she launched Fenty Beauty with LVMH and focused on inclusive shades for all skin tones. The brand pulled in $550 million in its first year, and Forbes estimated her stake was worth over $1.4 billion by 2021. She once told The New York Times, “I never thought I’d make this much money.” It wasn’t just about makeup. It was about creating space for everyone and turning that vision into a wildly successful brand that fans actually believed in.
2. George Clooney’s Tequila Was More Than a Side Hustle
George Clooney is known for his charm, but his real smooth move was in tequila. He co-founded Casamigos with friends, originally to make something they liked drinking themselves. But it didn’t stay private for long. In 2017, they sold it to Diageo for up to $1 billion. Clooney told CNBC, “If you asked us four years ago if we had a billion-dollar company, I don’t think we’d have said yes.” What started as a passion project turned into one of the most successful celebrity-led liquor brands in history, and it still pours in profits today.
3. Jessica Simpson’s Shoes Outshined Her Songs
Jessica Simpson had chart hits and reality TV moments, but her real win came from fashion. She launched the Jessica Simpson Collection in 2005 and quietly built it into a billion-dollar brand. The line included shoes, handbags, jeans and more, selling in department stores across the country. By 2015, it was generating annual retail sales of over $1 billion. She told WWD, “I’m just a girl from Texas who had a dream.” While her music faded from the spotlight, her brand never did. Customers kept coming for comfort and style, not just for the name on the label.
4. Dr. Dre Got Rich Off Beats, Not Just Beats
Dr. Dre’s legacy in music is undeniable, but the real wealth came through headphones. In 2006, he co-founded Beats by Dre with Jimmy Iovine, blending music culture with sleek design. It became a favorite among fans and celebrities alike. In 2014, Apple acquired the company for a massive $3 billion. A leaked video caught Dre calling himself “the first billionaire in hip hop.” The deal was historic, both in size and cultural significance. Dre didn’t just create sound equipment. He created a symbol of cool that connected to his roots and still echoes through the industry today.
5. Ashton Kutcher Knew Where the Smart Money Was
Ashton Kutcher started as the lovable goofball on That ’70s Show, but his smartest move came behind the scenes. Through his venture firm A-Grade Investments, he placed early bets on companies like Airbnb, Uber and Skype. What began as curiosity turned into serious returns. Forbes reported his $30 million fund grew to around $250 million. In an interview with TechCrunch, Ashton said, “I just started investing in things I believed in.” He wasn’t flashy about it. He just kept choosing well. These weren’t just lucky guesses. They were signs of someone who really understood where tech was headed.
6. Gwyneth Paltrow Turned Goop into Gold
Gwyneth Paltrow didn’t try to be everyone’s favorite. She built a business for the people who wanted what she was offering. Goop started as a lifestyle newsletter and became a full wellness brand, selling beauty products, supplements, fashion and even launching a Netflix series. The New York Times valued Goop at $250 million in 2018. She once said, “I never wanted to do something that didn’t feel true to me.” That honesty, mixed with just the right amount of luxury, created a space where loyal customers felt seen. And her success proves that niche doesn’t mean small.
7. Reese Witherspoon Became a Power Producer
Reese Witherspoon was tired of waiting for the right roles. So she started creating them. In 2016, she launched Hello Sunshine to tell female-driven stories, and the company produced major hits like Big Little Lies and The Morning Show. By 2021, she sold it for about $900 million to a media group backed by Blackstone. “We are at a moment in time when women’s stories matter,” she told Variety. Reese didn’t just make room at the table. She built her own. And in doing so, she gave other women a platform that extended far beyond Hollywood norms.
8. Jay-Z Made Business His Second Language
Jay-Z once rapped, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.” He wasn’t joking. Beyond music, he built a sprawling empire that included Roc Nation, Tidal, clothing lines, and high-end liquor brands. One of his biggest deals came in 2021, when he sold half of his Armand de Brignac champagne brand to LVMH for around $300 million. Add in investments in D’Ussé and various startups, and it’s no surprise he became hip hop’s first billionaire. Jay-Z showed that artistic vision and business vision can go hand in hand if you’re willing to bet on both.
9. Kylie Jenner Cashed in on Her Own Lip Trend
Kylie Jenner’s rise came on the wings of reality TV, but her fortune grew with makeup. In 2015, she launched Kylie Cosmetics, starting with lip kits that sold out in seconds. She used her social media following to drive demand and build hype. In 2019, she sold 51 percent of her company to Coty for $600 million, giving it a total value of $1.2 billion. “It’s the power of social media,” she told Forbes. She didn’t invent lipstick, but she did reinvent how to sell it. And her approach continues to influence the beauty industry today.
10. Shaquille O’Neal Went Big on Business
Shaquille O’Neal is larger than life in every way, and his investments are no exception. He owns dozens of businesses, from Papa John’s to fitness gyms to tech startups like Ring. He once said on CNBC, “I don’t believe in plan B. I believe in plan A and executing it well.” Shaq didn’t just license his name. He learned from business mentors and applied his charm to franchises, commercials and real estate. His portfolio now spans food, fitness and entertainment. Off the court, he kept scoring, and he’s become one of the most successful athlete-entrepreneurs in the world.
11. Ryan Reynolds Mixed Fun with Fortune
Ryan Reynolds is proof that humor can lead to serious business wins. He bought a stake in Aviation Gin and helped shape its cheeky voice before selling it to Diageo in a deal worth up to $610 million. Then came Mint Mobile, where he played a hands-on role in marketing before selling it to T-Mobile for $1.35 billion. In AdWeek, he said, “We really believe in disrupting things.” He didn’t just endorse these brands. He made them better by being involved creatively. Ryan made business personal, and that authenticity made the deals all the more appealing.
12. Kim Kardashian’s Skims Changed the Shape of Success
Kim Kardashian already had name recognition, but Skims gave her lasting business credibility. She launched the shapewear and loungewear brand in 2019, focusing on inclusive sizing and sleek design. Customers responded, and by 2022, Skims was valued at $3.2 billion. She told The New York Times, “I’ve always had this business side.” While some thought she would fade with the reality show, Kim stayed focused on quality and branding. Skims wasn’t just trendy. It was comfortable and consistent. That’s what turned it from a side hustle into a serious player in the fashion industry.
This story 12 Celebrities Who Got Richer Without Ever Stepping on Stage Again was first published on Daily FETCH
