Double Threat Alert: 8 Musicians Who Crossed Over as Business Moguls
These musicians are making money off more than just their tunes.
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Although their musical endeavors are lucrative alone, many singers have built business empires outside of the music industry. Some artists, like Dolly Parton and the late Jimmy Buffett, have used their recognizable music as inspiration for their business ventures. Meanwhile, artists like Rihanna and Katy Perry are expanding into industries seemingly unrelated to their craft: Makeup, clothing, food, and even pet apparel lines are all a part of these musicians’ fortunes.
The following is a list of musicians who have also become highly successful business moguls. The net worths provided below are estimates courtesy of Celebrity Net Worth. Keep in mind that this list includes singers who created and own companies outside of the music industry. While it’s impressive that artists like Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, and Eminem founded their own record labels, they unfortunately don’t make the cut for this entrepreneurial lineup.
Dolly Parton
Estimated Net Worth: $650 million
Beloved country singer Dolly Parton, 78, is one of the gold standards among musicians turned entrepreneurs. Among her many business ventures, the Dollywood Company is the most notable. One of the company’s largest revenue generators, the Dollywood theme park is worth an estimated $165 million alone, according to Fox Business.
The star has also explored ventures in diners, literature, and even a pet care brand called Doggy Parton. With her earnings, Parton established the Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Jimmy Buffett
Estimated Net Worth: $1 billion
Jimmy Buffett, who died at age 76 in September 2023, pursued opportunities in several industries during his lifetime. The singer had ventures in hotels, liquor, retirement villages, and casinos, but his most profitable ventures were owning Margaritaville Enterprises and the Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain.
Buffett sold the 23 Cheeseburger in Paradise locations for $11 million back in 2012; the chain has since closed. At the time of his death, Buffet’s 28 percent stake in Margaritaville Enterprises was valued at roughly $180 million, according to Forbes.
Rihanna
Estimated Net Worth: $1.4 billion
The singer, songwriter, and 2023 Super Bowl performer continues to her mark in the beauty industry. In 2017, Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty, which has fragrance, makeup, and skincare lines. Forbes estimated the company is worth over $2.8 billion, and the singer holds a 50 percent share.
In addition to her beauty business, 36-year-old Rihanna is also a part owner of the Savage X Fenty lingerie brand. Her 30 percent stake is worth around $270 million, according to Forbes.
Snoop Dogg
Estimated Net Worth: $160 million
Snoop Dogg, 52, does more than rap and cheer on Team USA—he’s also a business owner who has embarked on several smaller ventures, including a liquor line (Indoggo Gin), grocery food brand (Broadus Foods), and a pet apparel brand (Snoop Doggie Doggs). Unsurprisingly, Snoop also has a stake in the growing cannabis industry, launching his own marijuana product line, Death Row Cannabis, in 2023 and opening his first dispensary, S.W.E.D., this July.
Selena Gomez
Estimated Net Worth: $800 million
Selena Gomez, 32, rose to fame with her acting career, then transitioned to music, and now is also a business woman. Gomez created the makeup company Rare Beauty in 2020, which has since surpassed the celebrity brand moniker to become a respected cosmetic line.
Business of Fashion reported the cosmetics brand was seeking a $2 billion valuation earlier this year. Should Gomez sell her unknown share in the company, she could become yet another beauty billionaire.
Katy Perry
Estimated Net Worth: $400 million
Although the bulk of Katy Perry’s net worth comes from selling her music catalog, she’s also making a living off her businesses. The 39-year-old quietly started her shoe brand, Katy Perry Collections, in 2017. Perry bought back the brand in 2021 after the holding company filed for bankruptcy and is now the sole owner.
The singer also owns a non-alcoholic beverage brand called De Soi. The company raised $4 million during its first round of funding, according to Bloomberg.
Victoria Beckham
Estimated Net Worth: $450 million
Posh Spice, otherwise known as Victoria Beckham, has built an empire off her name. The Victoria Beckham fashion label sells ready-to-wear luxury clothing and accessories. Yahoo Life reported that the company was appraised at over $50 million in 2022 and continued growing to a now-$70 million value. The 50-year-old also founded Victoria Beckham Beauty, a luxury cosmetics brand.
Pharrell Williams
Estimated Net Worth: $250 million
“Happy” singer Pharrell Williams founded his streetwear-inspired fashion label, Billionaire Boys Club, in partnership with Nigo in 2003. The 51-year-old recently bought back his 50 percent stake from Iconix Brand group for an undisclosed amount. Iconix originally bought into the LLC for $3.5 million in 2012, according to Forbes. The company and its sublabels—ICE CREAM, Billionaire Girls Club, and Bee Line—reached $7.5 million in annual revenue in early July. Williams has also recently been appointed as the new Men’s Creative Director for Louis Vuitton.
Honorary Mention: Marky Ramone
Brooklyn’s Own Pasta Sauce didn’t make Marky Ramone quite as famous as his time drumming did, but it’s still worth a mention. The rockstar released his secret pasta sauce recipe in 2010, which sparked the creation of the Marky Ramone’s Brooklyn’s Own Pasta Sauce line. While it might not have been as lucrative as some of the other business ventures on the list, Marky Ramone’s sauce is certainly the most unconventional way to bring in some extra cash.
Emma Frederickson graduated from Pace University where she studied communication and media. Prior to her time as an editor, she was a freelance science reporter. She enjoys covering everything from shipwrecks to pimple popping, but her favorite topics include climate change, conspiracy theories, and weird biology. When she’s not writing, Emma can be found hopping between coffee shops on the hunt for the world’s best oat milk cappuccino.
