You’re about to dive into the fascinating world of the richest black women on the world. These powerful ladies have amassed enormous personal fortunes and climbed to the very top of the wealth rankings. From savvy business moves to inheriting empires, their stories showcase black excellence and economic might. The black girl magic is real with these ultra-rich queens their net worths are truly staggering. Get ready to be inspired and maybe pick up some money tips as you learn about the top five wealthiest black women in the world right now and how they built their mind-blowing billion dollar empires. This is one eye-opening ride you won’t want to miss.

Who Is Currently the Richest Black Woman in the World?

Oprah Winfrey is the richest black woman in the world with a net worth of $2.8 billion. As the queen of all media, Oprah built an empire and became one of the greatest black philanthropists in American history.

For 25 years, Oprah hosted the highest-rated talk show in television history. At its peak, the Oprah Winfrey Show reached an estimated 42 million viewers a week in 145 countries. Oprah used her talk show platform to promote self-empowerment, spirituality and charity.

In 1986, Oprah founded Harpo Productions. Harpo produces the Oprah Winfrey Show and other original programming. Harpo co-produced the Broadway musical The Color Purple, which Oprah starred in. The productions has created over 5,000 episodes of original programming and earned Oprah several Daytime Emmy Awards.

Oprah’s monthly magazine ‘O, The Oprah Magazine’ has been published for over 20 years and has a circulation of over 2.4 million readers. The lifestyle publication covering everything from spirituality to wellness has been a hugely profitable venture for Oprah.

Oprah’s Book Club and Favorite Things have introduced millions to new products, books and ideas. Her charity work includes building schools for girls in South Africa through the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation. Truly an inspiration and a role model, Oprah Winfrey reigns as the richest and most successful black woman in the world.

The Top 5 Richest Black Women in 2024

There are many women of color climbing the ladder of success and amassing incredible wealth through hard work and determination. While the numbers are still disproportionately low, the tide is turning as more black women entrepreneurs and executives smash through barriers and glass ceilings.

In 2024, the top five richest black women in the world have a combined net worth of over $4 billion. These powerful women built their fortunes through business savvy, determination, and providing valuable goods and services.

#1 – Oprah Winfrey: Media Mogul Worth $2.8 Billion

Oprah Winfrey’s life is a true rags-to-riches story. Born into poverty to a teenage single mother, Oprah overcame a difficult childhood to become the first black multi-billionaire woman in North America.

Oprah grew up in rural Mississippi with her grandmother. She stated that she was molested during her childhood and early teenage years and became pregnant at 14, her son was born prematurely and died in infancy.

She landed her first media job at age 19 as a news anchor in Nashville. Her big break came in 1984 when she was hired to host WLS-TV’s low-rated, flailing morning talk show in Chicago.

Oprah transformed the show into a hugely successful talk show. It was syndicated nationally in 1986 and ran for 25 seasons. The show focused on issues facing ordinary people. Oprah’s warmth, empathy and ability to connect with guests and audiences made her a cultural icon.

Oprah launched O Magazine, co-founded Oxygen Media, and created Oprah’s Book Club. Her endorsements and partnerships generated over $100 million. In 2011, Oprah launched OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. Despite struggles, OWN now turns a profit.

Oprah has donated over $400 million to educational causes, including Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Her generosity and humanitarian spirit have inspired millions.

Through her talk show and other ventures, Oprah built an empire and became the first black female billionaire. Her success demonstrates the power of following your dreams and using your voice to spread “light, love, and positivity” in the world. Oprah’s remarkable life story serves as an inspiration to all.

#2 Isabel dos Santos: $2 Billion

Isabel dos Santos is the eldest child of Angola’s longtime former president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos. Her father made her head of Sonangol, Angola’s state oil firm, in 2016, but she was fired two years later by Angola’s new president.

Even so, dos Santos built her fortune through her investments and shares in Angolan and Portuguese companies, especially in sectors like telecommunications, finance, media, and energy. For example, she owns significant stakes in ZON Multimedia, a Portuguese media conglomerate, and NOS, a telecommunications company. She also owns shares in Banco BIC Português, a bank.

Beyond business, dos Santos is known for leading efforts to bring technology and innovation to Angola. She’s pushed for better access to technology and education in her home country. However, she has also faced allegations of corruption during her time at Sonangol, with critics arguing that she gained her billions through taking advantage of her father’s position.

Dos Santos currently lives between London and Luanda. She continues to make new investments across Europe and Africa through her venture capital fund. While controversial, she serves as an example of a self-made female billionaire from Africa. Her story shows how far determination and business savvy can take you, even in the face of obstacles.

#3 Rihanna: Singer & Entrepreneur Worth $1.4 Billion

Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman known for her immense success in the music industry. At only 36, she has built an empire and amassed a $1.4 billion fortune through her music, businesses, and brand partnerships.

Rihanna grew up in Barbados and was discovered at 16 by American record producer Evan Rogers. She soon moved to the U.S. to pursue a music career. Her first two albums established her as a pop star, but her third album Good Girl Gone Bad made her an international icon. Massively successful albums and tours followed, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Beyond music, Rihanna has built highly successful business ventures. She founded Fenty Beauty in 2017, a makeup brand that promotes inclusiveness. It generated over $570 million in revenue in its first 15 months. She also co-owns the lingerie brand Savage X Fenty. These brands have made her the richest female musician in the world.

Through hard work, talent, and an eye for business opportunities, Rihanna achieved unparalleled success and status as a pop culture icon. Her triumph over adversity and dedication to empowering women have established her as an inspiration. At 36, her $1.4 billion net worth proves that dreams really can come true.

#4 – Folorunsho Alakija – Nigeria’s Renaissance Woman Worth $1 Billion

Folorunsho Alakija is Nigeria’s richest woman and one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in Africa. Born in 1951, Folorunsho grew up in a wealthy family and earned a degree in fashion design in the UK. She founded Supreme Stitches, a high-end fashion label that catered to Nigeria’s elite, in the 1980s.

However, her fortunes changed in 1993 when her company was awarded an oil prospecting license by the Nigerian government. She took a chance and partnered with Texaco to drill in a deepwater oil field. They struck oil, and it turned out to be one of the largest deepwater oil fields in the world at the time. Folorunsho’s oil company, Famfa Oil, owns a 60% stake in the field, making her an instant billionaire.

Over the years, Folorunsho has invested in real estate, banking, and the philanthropic Folorunsho Alakija Foundation which provides entrepreneurial grants, scholarships and business mentorship for young Nigerians. Despite her immense wealth, Folorunsho remains deeply devoted to her faith, family and homeland. She continues advocating for women’s empowerment and education across Africa.

Folorunsho Alakija’s rags-to-riches story is a true inspiration. Through hard work, perseverance, and a bit of luck, she overcame obstacles and societal expectations to become Nigeria’s renaissance woman and one of the richest black women in the world. Her life is a shining example that anyone, regardless of gender or circumstances, can achieve great success with vision and determination.

#5 – Ngina Kenyatta: The Wealthy Mother of Kenya’s LegacyWorth $1 Billion

As the wife of Kenya’s first president Jomo Kenyatta, Ngina Kenyatta amassed substantial wealth and became Kenya’s first female billionaire. Born in 1933, she married Jomo Kenyatta in 1951 and had four children with him, including former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta.

When Jomo became president in 1964, Ngina’s family was given large parcels of land that turned out to contain rubies and sapphires. She also inherited plantations of coffee, tea, and rice upon Jomo’s death in 1978. Over decades, the value of these assets skyrocketed, making Ngina extremely wealthy.

Today, Ngina’s empire includes 500,000 acres of prime land, as well as stakes in ruby mines, banks, hotels, and insurance companies across Kenya. She is considered the matriarch of the Kenyatta family dynasty and continues to wield political influence in Kenya. At 90 years old, Ngina has transitioned control of her business empire to her sons but remains an icon and inspiration as one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in African history.

Though controversial at times, Ngina’s rags-to-riches story epitomizes the potential for women to achieve great power and wealth in Africa. Through strategic alliances, investments, and leveraging opportunities, she built a business empire and enduring legacy that lives on through her descendants. Her life is a testament to the power of vision, determination, and patience.

Conclusion

And there you have it folks, the top 5 richest black women in the world as of 2024 and how they built their massive fortunes. From savvy investments to dominating the entertainment industry, these powerful women prove there are no limits to what you can achieve with hard work, passion, and a little luck. Their journeys to the top are inspiring, but more importantly, they’ve paved the way for the next generation of young black women to dream big. So dream on sister, believe in yourself, and who knows maybe someday we’ll see you on this list! The only limits are the ones we set for ourselves.