In 2024, women are taking over all the way from classrooms to board rooms. And despite the fact that society has made tremendous progress past traditional gender roles in relationships, we all know money matters. In the case of several of our favorite celebrity couples, Black women are taking the lead and holding down the household while also breaking boundaries in their respective fields.
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Take a look at just some of the many Black women who are— or were— the breadwinners in their relationships. Some of them are obvious, but you might be surprise by a few names on our list…
Rihanna
Starting off strong, billionaire Rih Rih is the highest reported paid Black female musician in history, according to Forbes. Her self-made empire through Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, Fenty Hair, and Savage x Fenty all helped to put the pop star on top of the business throne. At the same time, Rihanna is a mother of two beautiful children with her partner, A$AP Rocky.
Angela Bassett
Now, this one is a tricky one. Both Angela Bassett and her long term partner are Hollywood legends who both rake in millions of dollars respectively. But after Bassett’s work on “Black Panther,” the “What’s Love Got To Do With It” actress is reportedly worth more than $25 million…. and that was before the honorary Oscar.
Kerry Washington
Mrs. Scandal herself is one of the highest paid Black female actresses of all time. Between her iconic role as Olivia Pope and Mia in “Little Fires Everywhere,” she’s worth more than $50 million, reports AFROTECH. Her Husband and three kids are her world. Washington told ELLE “Playing her [Olivia Pope] made me feel like I could be a mom.” She continued “I feel like playing her made me feel like, All right, I can do it. I will figure out how to juggle it all.”
Oprah Winfrey
The TV host and arguably one of the best interviewers of all time, Oprah Winfrey, has managed to be worth a very impressive $3 billion, according to Forbes. Her longtime partner, Stedman Graham, has also made a name for himself as an author, businessman, and public speaker. The power couple tend to keep things private, but it’s obvious their relationship is one to be admired.
Nicki Minaj
The Queen of Rap is another example of generational talent. Since 2009, Minaj has been running the rap game, and although there are debates about whether she still deserves the rap crown, you cannot deny her talent or influence 15 years into her career. With that being said, Minaj is worth more than $150 million. She married her husband, Kenneth Petty, in 2019. Together they share one son.
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is the definition of “reinventing yourself.” By the age of 45, Turner had made the biggest comeback in music history and for that, even after her death, Turner is one of the most respected and highly influential artists regardless of age or gender. At the time of her death, Turner’s net worth was estimated to be between $250 million and $270 million. Her children and her partner, Erwin Bach inherited her earnings, with Bach inheriting nearly half of the whole estate.
Serena Williams
The self-made tennis star is one of the highest paid athletes of all time. With a whopping net worth of $340 million, according to Forbes, it’s no shocker that Serena Williams is a boss on the court and in her household. She married her husband, entrepreneur and philanthropist Alexis Ohanian, in 2017. Together, they have two beautiful daughters.
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah has defined her own path and carved out her own lane over the past few decades. From rapper to singer to actress, Latifah remains one of the most talented people in the game, with an estimated net worth of $70 million. Her and her partner, Eboni Nichols, have been together for over a decade.
Zendaya
When you’re as beautiful, talented, and multi-facetted as Zendaya, life’s got to be good. The model and actress is estimated to be worth $22 million, according to Parade.com. From deals with Louis Vuitton to Lancôme, Zendaya is one of the most respected fashion icons of her time. Also, her relationship with Tom Holland aka Spiderman is one we can’t get enough of!
Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul is one of the biggest bosses in history! At the time of her death, Aretha Franklin was worth $80 million, according to CBS News. The “Respect” singer previously married twice and engaged to Willie Wilkerson in 2012. Although the two never married, Franklin called Wilkerson her “forever friend.” Wilkerson died of Covid in 2020.
Viola Davis
She is one of the highest paid Black female actresses to date. Despite being vocal about unequal pay, Davis remains one of the best to ever do it, and with “How to Get Away With Murder” and “Woman King,” we all know why. She married her husband, Julius Tennon, in 2003. Davis is currently worth over $25 million.
Keyshia Cole
Regarded as one of the best vocalists of the 2000s, Keyshia Cole continues to make heart wrenching music that’ll bring you to tears… so there’s no wonder why the multi-millionaire is still making waves. Now, her and Atlanta rapper Hunxho sparked dating rumors earlier this year. The up and coming rapper is quickly making a name for himself in the rap game!
Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland first rose to fame singing alongside the members of Destiny’s Child, one of the greatest girl groups of all time. After parting ways with the group, Rowland went on to begin her own solo career and with hits like “Motivation” and “Coffee,” she is stamped as R&B royalty. Her and her husband, Tim Witherspoon, first married in 2014. The couple’s net worth is a combined $15 million.
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