It is widely known that the world has always been fascinated by celebrities and the luxurious way of living ever since the entertainment industry began. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, groupies emerged as a concept. Initially, they were fans who traveled alongside their beloved musicians and bands, hoping to cross paths with them. However, upon gaining access to their inner circle, some of these groupies became just as famous as their musical idols. Continue reading to learn about the most celebrated groupies in the history of rock and roll.
Pamela Des Barres
In present times, Pamela Des Barres is an accomplished author and contributor to magazines. However, in the past, she gained notoriety as the leading groupie. Her journey started with babysitting for Frank Zappa’s children and rapidly progressed to her first exposure to the world of rock and roll.
In addition to hanging out with The Rolling Stones and The Byrds, she was also romantically involved with Keith Moon, Jim Morrison, and Jimmy Page. Moreover, The Beatles’ Penny Lane was based on her, and the character portrayed by Kate Hudson in Almost Famous is also inspired by her.
Bebe Buell
Bebe Buell, who is now in her mid-sixties, began her career as a model and singer before gaining notoriety for her association with rock bands. Her first claim to fame, however, came in November 1974 when she became Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month. It wasn’t until 1972 that her highly publicized relationship with Todd Rundgren brought her additional attention.
Following the end of that relationship, Buell became associated with several other rockstars and musicians, such as Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Jimmy Page, and most notably Steven Tyler, with whom she had her daughter Liv Tyler.
Anita Pallenberg
Anita Pallenberg, who has passed away, was an actress, artist, and model from Germany and Italy. During the ’60s and ’70s, she was famous for being a style icon and It Girl. Pallenberg’s magnetic pull and stunning appearance captivated many rock legends, so much so that she was even acknowledged as The Rolling Stones’ muse.
Initially, she was involved romantically with Brian Jones, the band’s multi-talented musician. Subsequently, between 1967 and 1980, she was in a romantic relationship with Keith Richards, the Stones’ guitarist, with whom she had three offspring.
Tawny Kitaen
Julie mentioned that Tawny Kitaen’s career began when she moved to Los Angeles with her former boyfriend and his band in the late 1970s. Afterwards, Kitaen became famous as an actress and appeared in movies like Witchboard and Bachelor Party. However, she was also actively involved in the music industry.
She made appearances in different music videos, such as Whitesnake’s popular tracks “Still of the Night” and “Here I Go Again”. Afterward, she tied the knot with the band’s lead singer, David Coverdale, in 1989. However, their marriage didn’t last as they separated after a couple of years.
Sable Starr
Sable Starr, who passed away, gained fame in the early 1970s as one of the first groupies who was still a child, attending concerts at the age of 12. Known for her wild behavior in LA, Starr was romantically involved with many legendary musicians, such as Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, and Marc Bolan.
In an interview with Star magazine, the woman who was known as the groupie queen discussed her first meetings with Randy California, the guitarist of the band Spirit, and shared stories about her conflicts with other groupies who were believed to be competitors. Additionally, it was revealed that she had a close relationship with Robert Plant, the frontman of Led Zeppelin.
Carmen Electra
Carmen Electra, originally known as Tara Leigh Patrick, made her debut with the help of Prince, who produced her eponymous debut album in 1993. After a while, she ventured into modeling, making multiple appearances in Playboy magazine, and eventually became one of the stars of Baywatch.
Electra had several romantic relationships with various rock and roll stars after her split with former Chicago Bulls star, Dennis Rodman. She was not only wedded to Dave Navarro, the famous guitarist of Jane’s Addiction but also allegedly involved with other rock musicians such as Tommy Lee and Prince prior to him.
Lori Mattix
Similar to Sable Starr, Lori Mattix belonged to the notorious group of groupies who were infatuated with rock musicians. At the tender age of 13, Mattix had already made her entry into the world of rock and roll. Despite her initial career as a model, she gained notoriety for her enigmatic association with none other than Jimmy Page, the founder and guitarist of Led Zeppelin.
Despite the fact that the romantic relationship didn’t last, Mattix appears to be thriving in her life. Specifically, from November 2015 onwards, she has held a position as a buyer and partner for the Glam Boutique located in West Hollywood.
Nancy Spungen
Nancy Spungen, who was a prominent part of the punk rock scene in the 1970s, gained attention for being the girlfriend of Sid Vicious, the bassist of the English band Sex Pistols. However, her life as a groupie extended beyond just following punk rock stars, as she also followed other bands such as Aerosmith and Bad Company.
After Spungen was expelled from college, she traveled to London where she met Sid. They were in a relationship for 19 chaotic months until it was uncovered that the 20-year-old had died in a room at the notorious Chelsea Hotel in New York City.
Erin Everly
Erin, the daughter of the renowned musician Don Everly, not only appeared in the music video for Sweet Child O’ Mine but she was also married to Axl Rose, the frontman of Guns N’ Roses, for a brief period.
Erin, who was brought up in Los Angeles, first encountered Axl when she was only 19. After four years, they got married and stayed together from 1990 until 1991. Even though their relationship lasted a short time, it was intense and full of passion.
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull, who was brought up in an elite background, did not conform to the typical perception of a ‘groupie’ during her first encounter with the rock and roll industry. Her father was not only a professor of Italian Literature but also a British Intelligence officer, whereas her mother belonged to a family of an Austro-Hungarian nobleman.
Regardless, Faithfull started out as a singer-songwriter and eventually became involved with The Rolling Stones. Although she primarily focused on Mick Jagger, there were speculations that she also had relationships with the remaining band members. Following her involvement with Jagger, Faithfull proceeded to date other rockstars.
Pattie Boyd
In the 1960s, Pattie Boyd was a popular international model who embodied the British female aesthetic of that time with her impressive appearance and charisma. It was only later that she served as a source of inspiration for George Harrison and Eric Clapton. Boyd’s modeling career was so successful that she graced the cover of Vogue magazine and was offered modeling opportunities wherever she went.
In addition to her modeling profession, Boyd had a flourishing career as a photographer. It wasn’t a surprise that she had a great attraction towards many rock musicians. Boyd was married to Harrison for a decade before starting a relationship with Clapton, who composed the song “Layla” for her.
Bianca Jagger
Bianca Jagger, who was originally from Nicaragua, gained recognition for her distinctive style and lively character, which consequently earned her invitations to exclusive events and extravagant celebrations. It was at a post-concert celebration for the Rolling Stones where Bianca initially crossed paths with Mick Jagger.
Shortly after their first encounter, the couple got married while Bianca was still in the early stages of pregnancy. Despite the brief duration of their union, Bianca remained a noteworthy presence in the clubbing scene of the 70s and 80s. Currently, she is actively engaged in various endeavors advocating for human rights.
Courtney Love
Courtney Love gained significant recognition in the punk and grunge genres during the 1990s. She initially became well-known as the primary singer of Hole, a band that she established in 1989, at a similar period when she first encountered Kurt Cobain, the frontman of Nirvana.
Before her relationship with Cobain, which lasted from 1991 until his death in 1994, Love had been in romantic relationships with other musicians, such as Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins and Michael Stipe of REM. Over the years, Love has received significant public attention for her bold and unconstrained stage performances and provocative lyrics.
Chris O’Dell
Chris O’Dell initially started her career in the rock and roll industry as an assistant for Apple Records, a record company established by The Beatles. It is not surprising that Chris was fascinated by the lavish way of life that came with rock music. Her journey as a groupie commenced with The Beatles, with whom she had a profound connection.
Miss O’Dell was actually written by George Harrison, who drew inspiration from Chris. Following his departure from the renowned band, Chris secured a position with The Rolling Stones.
Cher
Cher, who is frequently called the Goddess of Pop, unquestionably began her journey from modest origins. She dedicated her time on Sunset Strip attempting to capture the eye of the right individuals in the business before serving as a housekeeper for Sonny Bono. Bono, in turn, not only introduced Cher to various musicians but also eventually became her husband.
Despite the end of their marriage, Sonny and Cher achieved remarkable success in their careers, which is now regarded as history. Over the years, Cher also had romantic associations with a number of rock musicians, including Richie Sambora, the guitarist of Bon Jovi.
Tura Satana
Tura Satana, a Japanese American who passed away, was an actress, vedette, and exotic dancer. She possessed enchanting dance skills and an irresistible attraction, which explains why Elvis Presley, also known as the King of Rock and Roll, developed an instant fondness for her. He initially spotted her at Follies Theater located in Chicago.
After their first meeting, Satana and Presley started a passionate relationship that lasted a short time. Some argue that Tura’s association with Elvis establishes her as the pioneer of the groupie culture.
Cleo Odzer
While Cleo Odzer’s life was cut down way too soon, there’s no doubt that she lived every day to the fullest. The late groupie was first introduced to the glamorous world of rock and roll after landing a temporary music writing job for a local newspaper.
During her time on the job, Odzer became acquainted with Keith Emerson — of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. That initial meeting turned into a fully-fledged albeit brief relationship. After they separated, Odzer left the U.S. for Goa, India where she discovered a new type of environment and authored books until her passing.
Donna D’Errico
A model and actress originally from Alabama, Donna D’Errico first rose to fame when she posed for Playboy as its Playmate of the Month in September 1995. A year later, D’Errico landed a starring role on Baywatch for two seasons.
Like her fellow lifeguard babes — Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra — D’Errico was enthralled with the rock and roll lifestyle so much so that she even married Mötley Crüe’s bassist, Nikki Sixx. After 11 years of marriage, though, the two called it quits. Today, D’Errico continues to work on different acting projects…
Brandi Brandt
Speaking of Nikki Sixx, next up on the list is Brandi Brandt — Sixx’s first wife. Considering that Brandt’s mom was the drummer, percussionist, and vocalist for a band called The American Girls, it comes as no surprise that Brandi felt comfortable with the rock and roll lifestyle.
Still, Brandt decided to make a name for herself in the world of modeling and acting instead. A couple of years after posing for Playboy for the first time, Brandt married Nikki. Seven years and three children later, though, the iconic model and rocker called it quits.
Bobbie Brown
Bobbie Jean Brown first entered the spotlight when she won the Miss Louisiana Teen USA 1987 title and represented Louisiana in the Miss Teen USA 1987 pageant broadcast live. It wasn’t long before Brown began landing acting and modeling gigs.
During the shooting of Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” music video — which Brown appeared in — the young star met lead singer Jani Lane. The two tied the knot in ’91, had a daughter together, and called it quits in ’93. After their split, Brown was briefly engaged to Tommy Lee before he moved onto Pamela Anderson.
Connie Hamzy
Often called “Sweet Sweet Connie,” Connie Hamzy is primarily known for her time as a groupie. An Arkansas native, Hamzy’s easy-going personality and contagious smile had a way of brightening up even the darkest of days.
After quickly rising to prominence in the world of rock and roll, Hamzy’s unique effect on rockstars was even mentioned in a song by Grand Funk Railroad. Since those days, Hamzy has gone on to publish a memoir called Rock Groupie: The Intimate Adventures of “Sweet Connie” from Little Rock.
Kendra Jade
Kendra Jade Rossi — an American model and actress — drew the attention of various different rockers from the very start of her career. After entering the groupie scene in her early 20s, Rossi found herself attending all the lavish parties that came with the rock and roll lifestyle.
She eventually tied the knot with musician Lukas Rossi in 2007. Since then, she’s been keeping busy as her hubby’s music manager. Aside from that, Rossi advocates for animal rights issues and even operates her own animal rescue.
Josie Stevens
Josie Stevens, now 38 years old, has been known as a notorious groupie since the ’80s, although she was never truly able to get in close with the icons like Mick Jagger. Aside from following her favorite musicians, Josie has built a highly successful career as a model, makeup artist, fashion designer, stylist, and television personality.
After years of adventures and parties, Josie opted for a more stable life. In 2008, she married guitarist and songwriter Steve Stevens. Since then, the couple has worked together, with Josie serving as her hubby’s manager.
The Mystery Girl
Now 84 years old, Barbara Gray remained anonymous for 60 years before revealing that she was indeed the mystery girl photographed with The King. Although she was only sort of a groupie for about a day, there’s no denying that she made a lasting impact on popular culture. In reality, though, Gray never wanted fame or fortune.
Nonetheless, the iconic photographs — specifically the one in which Elvis is seen smooching Gray — are now considered among the hottest shots in the history of rock and roll. Today, Gray is a happily married real-estate manager living in South Carolina.
Heather Locklear
Many of us know Heather Locklear as the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty that starred on hit shows like Melrose Place and Dynasty. What some of you might not be aware of, though, is that there is a whole other side to Locklear — a wild side.
In fact, the critically-acclaimed actress has been drawn to rockers since her early days in the entertainment industry. Aside from her marriage to Tommy Lee from 1986 to 1993, Locklear also had a relationship with Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi from 1994 to 2007.
Audrey Hamilton
Audrey Hamilton may have retreated from the public eye in recent years but back in the ’70s, when she was at her prime, she lived a thrilling life of spontaneity. Specifically speaking, Hamilton essentially became Robert Plant’s ‘road wife’ during Led Zeppelin’s 1977 US tour.
From that moment on, the two shared an intimate relationship that eventually broke down after Robert’s son suddenly passed later that year. After that, Audrey became romantically involved with Ace Frehley — the guitarist of Kiss — and ultimately had a child with him.
Kathleen Dorritie
Kathleen Dorritie — a.k.a. Cherry Vanilla — first worked as an actress before becoming David Bowie’s publicist. It was at this point that Dorritie grew more interested in the world of rock, eventually becoming a singer-songwriter in her own right. What separates her from the rest that made this list is the fact that Dorritie didn’t only go after rockstars.
Indeed she shared a very strong friendship with artist Andy Warhol, even playing a significant role in the success of many of his projects. Still, she wouldn’t have made the list if it weren’t for her affairs with rockstars including Beatles legend, John Lennon.
Annette Walter-Lax
Originally from Sweden, Annette Walter-Lax began her modeling career in the ’70s. Before long, though, Annette starting dating the legendary Keith Moon — drummer of The Who — after a photographer asked the blonde-haired beauty if she wanted to meet a “real drummer.”
From then on, the two were inseparable until Moon’s passing in 1978. Like so many other groupies, Annette found herself completely smitten with her beau. Still, although their four-year relationship was full of passion and love, it was also one of tragedy and turbulence.
Roxana Shirazi
Although she was born in Iran, Roxana Shirazi was raised in England from a very young age. When she was old enough to work and earn money, Shirazi began belly dancing and performing at various nightclubs across London. Eventually, this talent helped Shirazi gain the confidence necessary to grab the attention of rockers.
With that, Shirazi became close with various groups including Black Cherry and Guns N’ Roses. Today, Shirazi lives and writes in London, and has even published her own memoir!
Morgana Welch
Meet Morgana Welch — the founding and leading member of the tight-knit groupie circle known as “The LA Queens.” Like many others on this list, Welch began spending her time in Sunset clubs from a very young age. This made it that much easier to get in close with some of the most iconic rockstars to ever exist.
In fact, Welch and her circle were Led Zeppelin’s number one choice for company. After she took a step back from her groupie lifestyle, Welch wrote a book detailing her experiences called Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll’s Legendary Neighborhood.
Uschi Obermaier
A German native, Uschi Obermaier was already a globally recognized model before she became an influential party in the revolution and protests that occurred throughout the ’60s. Her days of rock and roll started when she met the iconic Jimi Hendrix in West Berlin and immediately sparked up a relationship with the famed rock musician.
Later on, in 1975, Obermaier joined The Rolling Stones on their world tour where she’d go on to have affairs with two of the band’s members — Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Winona Ryder
Today, you may recognize her from her performances in hit shows and films including Stranger Things, Beetlejuice, and Edward Scissorhands. Aside from her thriving career in the entertainment industry, though, Ryder was also a groupie herself — at least for a short while.
Throughout her dating history, Ryder has been linked to rockstars such as Jack White of The White Stripes, Dave Grohl of Nirvana and The Foo Fighters, Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, and many more. Since 2011, however, Ryder has been in a relationship with a fashion designer named Scott Mackinlay Hahn.
Lacy
Unlike many others who made this list, Lacy is somewhat of a mysterious persona when it comes to the groupie scene. She was first launched to fame for her stunning photographs in Rolling Stone magazine. The photographer at the time, Baron Wolman, had a liking for Lacy and that was evident throughout the series of pictures that he captured of the young beauty.
With all of that being said, Lacy remains an enigma to this day in that even those who knew her during the ’60s are unsure of where she is now or what she’s up to.
Miss Christine
Born Christine Ann Frka, Miss Christine was the very first babysitter for Frank Zappa’s oldest daughter. From there, she was featured on the front cover of Zappa’s 1969 album Hot Rats in which she’s seen emerging from an empty swimming pool.
Throughout her years in the rock and roll scene, Christine was romantically linked to various different legends including Alice Cooper — who credits her with creating his stage persona — Todd Rundgren, and Russell Mael. Sadly, though, Christine passed shortly before her 23rd birthday.
Pamela Manning
Although Pamela Manning never really considered herself a groupie, you would often see her on tour with Guns N’ Roses back in the day. It turns out that the band hired the American bombshell to not only do some dance scenes while they’d play live on stage but also as a filler in some of their music videos and photoshoots.
According to Manning herself, though, being branded as a groupie negatively impacted her career as well as her personal life.
Nico
Christa Päffgen — professionally known as Nico — was a German singer-songwriter, musician, model, and actress. Although her life was brief, she made a name for herself by maximizing the powerful connections she had made around her.
Throughout her years in the industry, Nico’s personal life was also a prominent subject in the media. She was said to have had romantic relationships with stars including Iggy Pop, Jim Morrison, Jackson Browne, and even Lou Reed before her eventual passing.
Rachel Hunter
A New Zealand native, Rachel Hunter first made a name for herself as a model. She would end up using this fame to get in close with different rockstars. During the late ’80s, Hunter lived with musician Kip Winger before moving on to Rod Stewart — who’s 24 years her senior.
After 16 years of marriage, from which they share two children, Hunter and Stewart called it quits. Since then, Stewart has been seen with different celebs including singer and composer Robbie Williams. Today, Hunter is the main persona of the Australian women’s fashion line, Jacqui E.
Madonna
Well, if Cher is the “Goddess of Pop,” that would have to make Madonna the “Queen of Pop” — wouldn’t you think? It’s no secret that throughout the years, Madonna has lived a pretty wild and controversial life. She first got her start as a backup singer and dancer for Patrick Hernandez before going off on her own.
Aside from her undeniably successful career, Madonna’s romantic relationships have often been a prominent subject in the media. Of these romances that Madonna had with iconic musicians were Lenny Kravitz, Michael Jackson, and Tupac Shakur although there were many others.
Judy & Karen
While Judy Wong and Karen Seltenrich made this list, they’re unique from the rest of the groupies here simply due to their reputations as fashion entrepreneurs. In particular, Judy and Karen helped to ignite the styles of numerous musicians and groups.
Together, Judy and Karen quickly grew from a small partnership to celebrity status. In 1976, Seltenrich even landed herself on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The two powerhouses are perhaps most notable for designing clothes for The Cockettes — a hippie theater group.
Pamela Anderson
Before Pamela Anderson tied the knot to Tommy Lee in 1995, she first rose to prominence as the February 1990 Playmate of the Month. Is anyone else starting to see a trend here? Anyway, Anderson’s fame continued to grow as she landed roles on hit shows including Home Improvement and Baywatch.
And of course, with this stardom came a series of relationships with different rockstars. After her break up from Tommy in ’98, Anderson went on to date Bret Michaels before marrying Kid Rock in 2006. Since her latest split, Anderson has taken a step back from her groupie days. Today, she’s a prominent activist for animal rights.
Unsurprisingly, being a celebrity usually means having quite a lot of cash. However, some celebs rake in even more than their famous peers. Some of these stars invest their earnings into real estate or branded products. Others receive extremely high salaries because they’re at the top of their field. In some cases, working in the same job for many years means a constantly increasing salary. Take a look at these famous people who have surprisingly huge net worths.
Gordon Ramsey – $200 Million
In normal life, being a chef isn’t a very high-earning job. This is unfortunate considering cooking is a valuable and skillful trade. In the world of TV chefs, salaries go up considerably. For example, Scottish chef Gordon Ramsey is worth an eye-watering $200 million. This is huge in comparison to fellow chefs Guy Fieri (worth $50m) and Alton Brown (worth $13m).
Gordon Ramsey has been awarded an incredible sixteen Michelin stars in total. Plus, he’s fronted multiple popular TV series.
Adele – $220 Million
English singer Adele also has plenty of acclaim from her own community. The star has a whopping 15 Grammy awards, and an Oscar for Best Original Song. Plus, she broke global attendance records for her third album. For her efforts, Adele has a net worth of $220 million.
The Guinness record breaker is worth significantly more than some other pop stars. For example, Lady Gaga is worth $150 million, and Halsey is worth $20 million. Adele is also involved in various charitable organizations.
Sacha Baron Cohen – $160 Million
He mightn’t be in the public eye as much as some creatives, but Sacha Baron Cohen is still worth a lot of money. The creator of characters Ali G, Borat, and Brüno is worth $160 million. The English writer and actor has produced and performed in multiple movies.
As well as working on his own vehicles, he has starred in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Madagascar, and Hugo. For many years, Sacha Baron Cohen only gave interviews in character. The star is fiercely private.
David Guetta – $150 Million
As with chefs, being a DJ ordinarily isn’t a very high-paid job. But for those that make it to stardom, the money sure piles up. French DJ and music producer David Guetta is worth an impressive $100 million. Guetta has over 65 million single sales, and more than 10 billion streams.
He also has two Grammys under his belt. As well as making money from creating music, Guetta increased his net worth by selling his musical catalog to Warner Music for $100 million.
Calvin Harris – $300 Million
Another DJ with a surprisingly huge net worth is Scottish star Calvin Harris. The producer, singer, and songwriter is worth $300 million. That makes him the richest DJ in the world. For his third album, Calvin Harris broke the record for the most top 10 songs from one record on the UK singles chart.
In doing so, he overtook previous record-holder Michael Jackson. This musical star makes money from his own records, from touring, and from a Las Vegas residency.
Katy Perry – $330 Million
As we’ll see, some celebrity gigs really increase star earning power. For example, being a judge on a talent show is a significant pay boost. For her time on the American Idol judging panel, singer Katy Perry earned $25 million per year.
This, plus her earnings from her career as a pop star makes Katy Perry worth $330 million. Likewise, a Las Vegas residency is a good way to make a huge salary. Katy Perry sold out multiple shows at Resorts World from 2021 to 2022.
Denzel Washington – $280 Million
It’s perhaps not that surprising that the acclaimed Denzel Washington has a huge net worth. Like many on this list, the star has multiple strings to his bow. As well as being a celebrated actor, the New Yorker is a director and producer.
In fact, the multi-Academy Award winner has been named the greatest actor of the 21st century. For 2021 crime thriller The Little Things, Denzel Washington made a handsome $40 million. Combined with his other earnings, that gives the star a net worth of $280 million.
Keanu Reeves – $380 Million
Canadian actor Keanu Reeves is rather private. Unlike some attention-seeking stars, he likes to keep his private life to himself. He has been referred to as “Hollywood’s ultimate introvert” and as “excruciatingly shy.” For this reason, we might forget that Keanu Reeves is worth a massive amount of money.
From his role as Neo in The Matrix franchise alone, Keanu Reeves earned around $200 million. He’s been working since his youth, giving him a net worth of $380 million.
Kaley Cuoco – $100 Million
In Hollywood, not all the money goes to massive movie stars. On the contrary, there are many sitcom stars on this list. While Kaley Cuoco has spent much of her career on the small screen, she has a net worth of $100 million. At one point, Kaley was earning a million dollars per episode of The Big Bang Theory.
Kaley Cuoco also founded her own TV production company in 2017. She has starred in and executive produced comedy drama The Flight Attendant, and adult animation series Harley Quinn.
Jennifer Lopez – $400 Million
She’s been around since the ’90s, and she’s not going anywhere. Triple threat Jennifer Lopez is worth $400 million. With her first leading role, playing iconic Tejano star Selena Quintanilla, J.Lo became the first Hispanic actress to earn over $1 million for a movie.
She then went on to become the highest-paid Hispanic actress in Hollywood. After that, Jennifer Lopez turned her eye to music, which went pretty well. She’s also been an American Idol judge, and performed a Las Vegas residency. Ker-ching!
Sofía Vergara – $180 Million
It’s time for another sitcom star. During her time playing Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family, Sofía Vergara was raking in the big bucks. Between 2013 and 2020, the Colombian star was the highest-paid actress on American television.
Towards the end of the series, she earned at least $500,000 per episode. Of course, Sofía Vergara was acting long before she landed this role. The star co-hosted Spanish language TV shows in the ’90s, and appeared in a range of noughties movies. She’s now worth $180 million.
Billy Joel – $225 Million
Singer and composer Billy Joel started playing the piano at four years old. It worked out pretty well for him. Though he dropped out of high school in 1967, the New Yorker is now worth $225 million.
Billy Joel has had a successful music career since the 1970s, and is one of the best-selling artists of all time. The performer, now in his seventies, still frequently performs at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He has an indefinite residency there, performing once per month.
Penn and Teller – $400 Million
So far we haven’t had any magicians on our list. We’d guess that’s because magic is usually not a very lucrative profession. However, that hasn’t been an issue for magic entertainers Penn and Teller. Together, they’re worth $400 million.
This entertaining duo has been performing together since the 1970s. They are the longest-running headliners to play at the same hotel in Las Vegas history. Penn and Teller have also appeared on numerous TV shows and starred in their own series.
Jerry Seinfeld – $950 Million
He’s not always in the spotlight, but comedian Jerry Seinfeld is the richest comedian in the world. His massive fortune gives him a net worth of $950 million. Of course, the star co-created, wrote, and acted in the iconic sitcom Seinfeld.
It was one of the most profitable shows in TV history. Jerry Seinfeld makes money from re-runs of the show, and sold the rights to Netflix for $500 million. He earns $20 million from national tours, and was paid $20 million for rights to his 2020 special.
Gisele Bündchen – $400 Million
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen is worth $400 million. Between 2002 and 2017, Gisele was the highest-paid model in the world. The star’s mother enrolled her in a modeling course to teach her confidence. Clearly, that decision paid off.
Gisele was spotted in a shopping mall, and made her debut at New York Fashion Week. As a high earner, Gisele has supported various charities since the 2000s. She is also involved in multiple environmental projects, many in her native Brazil.
Kim Kardashian – $1.8 Billion
Much like her ex-husband Kanye West, it’s no surprise to anyone that Kim Kardashian is rich. What’s surprising is that she’s a billionaire. What’s more surprising is that she made her fortune from reality TV and social media-based businesses.
Before the Kardashians came along, reality TV was considered trash TV. Now, it’s the basis for an empire. As well as appearing on the family’s reality series, Kim K. is the owner of shapewear brand Skims and her own beauty and skincare lines.
Babyface – $200 Million
While many people mightn’t be familiar with Babyface’s name, they’re certainly familiar with his music. The Indiana-born musician has written and produced 26 number-one hits, and has 12 Grammy awards. The singer, writer, and producer is worth a whopping $200 million.
Babyface is also the co-founder of the record label that signed TLC, Usher, and Toni Braxton. Among the hits he’s written and produced are, “End of the Road” by Boys II Men and “Queen of the Night” by Whitney Houston.
Jackie Chan – $400 Million
Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan is not just an actor, but the owner of his own production company and a line of Chinese movie theatres. This puts his net worth at $400 million. The martial artist has been acting since the 1960s.
He’s one of the most popular action stars of all time and has appeared in over 150 movies. Less well-known is that Jackie Chan is also a trained musician with several albums. He has sung many of the theme songs for his movies.
Jennifer Aniston – $300 Million
Jennifer Aniston rose to fame with her role as Rachel in the iconic show Friends. The series was so popular that, at one point, Jennifer and her five co-stars were each making $1 million per episode!
Today, Aniston is a producer and actress on The Morning Show, making $1.25 million per episode. It’s worth noting that the actress isn’t new to money, as her actor father John Aniston had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his passing.
Garth Brooks – $400 Million
We haven’t seen any country stars so far, but there’s plenty of money to be made in the genre. Oklahoma-born country music star Garth Brooks is worth $400 million. When he’s touring, the singer-songwriter earns up to $90 million per year.
Incredibly, Garth Brooks is the only artist in history to have nine albums all reaching diamond status in the USA. As with some others on our list, Garth Brooks had a Las Vegas residency for many years.
Dwayne Johnson – $800 Million
Our next famous person with a huge net worth is a pro in two different areas. Firstly, Dwayne Johnson came to prominence as professional wrestler The Rock. Then, he made his way into movies, becoming a high-earning actor. The star is worth a huge $800 million.
Due to his time in WWE, The Rock is considered one of the most influential professional wrestlers of all time. His movies have grossed over $10.5 billion worldwide, making him an extremely bankable star.
LL Cool J – $120 Million
Rapper LL Cool J first gained success in the 1980s, and is the recipient of two Grammy awards. As well as performing, producing, and writing music, the star is a successful actor. He’s appeared in multiple movies and is the host of Lip Sync Battle.
For his role as Special Agent Sam Hanna in crime drama NCIS, the star makes a cool $350,000 per episode. He mightn’t be the biggest name in rap anymore, but he still has a big bank balance.
Rihanna – $1.4 Billion
When pop star Rihanna first appeared on the scene, nobody knew she would eventually become a billionaire. The Barbadian musician is now the second best-selling female artist of all time, and has nine Grammys. The star has branched out into acting, and started her own businesses.
She’s the wealthiest female musician, with a net worth of $1.4 billion. Rihanna has her own fashion house and beauty brand, which significantly boosted her earnings. Her native country even declared her a National Hero in 2021.
Rowan Atkinson – $150 Million
Though he plays a comic character, Rowan Atkinson’s net worth is no joke. The English actor made his name in the UK on a BBC sketch comedy show in the late ’70s. Then, he charmed audiences as antihero sitcom character Edmund Blackadder in the eighties.
The following decade, he created iconic children’s character Mr. Bean. He has also starred in various movies. In total, the actor and writer is worth $150 million. These days, the English celeb has a huge car collection and is an enthusiastic racer.
Dolly Parton – $600 Million
We told you country music was a lucrative business. Someone who knows that all too well is iconic singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. The Tennessee born musician started off writing for other people. She released her first album in 1967. Now, Dolly has 11 Grammys and a net worth of $600 million.
The fabulous star is also a successful actress and entrepreneur. Dolly co-owns The Dollywood Company which includes a theme park, a water park and various dinner theatres. She also established the Dollywood Foundation.
Vin Diesel – $225 Million
The Fast & Furious franchise has been going for over twenty years. Actor Vin Diesel has been in many of these action flicks, including the tenth installment due in 2023. For Fast X, the star was reportedly paid $20 million.
His total net worth comes in at $225 million. The American star is one of the world’s highest-grossing actors. He also portrays tree-like humanoid Groot in the MCU. On top of his acting work, Vin Diesel founded his own production company, record label and video game developer.
Tyler Perry – $1 Billion
In 2011, American actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry was the highest-paid man in entertainment. Today, he’s worth an impressive a billion dollars. The star started off in the theatre, and eventually developed several TV series. The Louisiana-born star landed a multi-year partnership with the Oprah Winfrey Network, adding to his income.
Tyler Perry is perhaps most famous for playing Madea, a character who appears in a variety of plays and movies. He also owns his own film studio and has stakes in the BET+ streaming service.
Heidi Klum – $160 Million
As we’ve seen, it pays well to work in several different fields. German American star Heidi Klum was first known as a successful model. She starred in a variety of supporting movie roles, and became a well known face on reality TV. Heidi was the host and judge of Project Runway from 2004-2017.
She has also been a judge on reality talent series America’s Got Talent since 2013. In total, that brings her net worth to $160 million. Heidi Klum has also had various clothing and beauty ranges.
Shania Twain – $400 Million
It’s time for another country star with a massive net worth. Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain has sold over 100 million records. That makes her the best-selling female artist in country music history. The star has five Grammy awards, and a net worth of $400 million.
In recent years, Shania Twain has been residing in Las Vegas. In 2022, she released a Netflix documentary covering her impressive career. She has also appeared on various TV shows, including as a guest judge and mentor on American Idol.
Pharrell – $250 Million
Musician and producer Pharrell Williams has been described as one of the most successful music producers of the 21st century. The star formed duo The Neptunes in the 1990s, led band N.E.R.D., and then branched out on his own. The Virginia-born star has 13 Grammy awards, and a net worth of $250 million.
As well as music, Pharrell is active in the worlds of fashion and moviemaking. The celeb was a coach on talent series The Voice and created several streetwear brands.
Vanna White – $85 Million
We’ll admit that Vanna White doesn’t have the highest net worth on this list. However, her net worth is definitely surprising. The TV personality has been the host of Wheel of Fortune since 1982, giving her a net worth of $85 million.
Reportedly, Vanna makes $10 million per year for revealing letters on the classic game show. Vanna White started out as a model and moved to LA to be an actress. Now, she uses her huge income to invest in apartments and flip houses.
Judge Judy – $440 Million
Judy Sheindlin – better known as Judge Judy – has hosted her legal TV series since 1996. From 2005 the star earned $25 million per year for appearing on the show. From 2008 her salary increased to $45 million. And from 2017 it went up again to $47 million.
That gives her a net worth of $440 million. While Judge Judy is now off the air, the TV personality now leads spin-off show Judy Justice. Judy Sheindlin is the longest-serving TV arbitrator in courtroom programming history.
Adam Sandler – $420 Million
New York native Adam Sandler first started out as a cast member on SNL in the 90s. Then, he starred in a range of movies that earned over $4 billion at the box office. While the star has received a huge amount of Raspberry award nominations, he’s also been praised for his dramatic roles. The actor and filmmaker is worth $420 million.
In 1999, Adam Sandler founded his own production company. He makes most of his own films, usually with a reoccurring group of actors.
Steve Harvey – $200 Million
As we’ve seen with Vanna White, game shows can be big earners. Comedian and TV host Steve Harvey has hosted Family Feud and its celebrity version since 2010. He also hosts his own radio show, the Miss Universe contest, and court comedy series Judge Steve Harvey.
The star’s net worth is $200 million. As with many of the famous faces on our list, Steve Harvey also has his own production company. He also has a special events business, and his own clothing line.
Jim Parsons – $160 Million
We’ve already mentioned that sitcom star Kaley Cuoco earned a million dollars per episode during the later seasons of The Big Bang Theory. Well, so did her co-star Jim Parsons. The four time Emmy award winner was the highest paid TV actor of 2018.
His total net worth comes in at $160 million. In 2015, Jim Parsons co-founded his own production company. It has spawned several series and movies. He also executive produces the spin-off based on his most famous character, Young Sheldon.
Dr. Phil – $460 Million
Phillip Calvin McGraw is more well known to millions of Americans as Dr. Phil. The TV personality first became famous on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and later launched his own TV series. The self-named show started in 2002, and features the host giving advice to a range of guests.
Reportedly, Dr. Phil earns $80 million per year. This gives him a net worth of $460 million. In 2005, the TV host founded his own production company. Stage 29 Productions has created a number of spin-offs, including Decision House.
Jessica Simpson – $200 Million
For a while, it seemed that singer Jessica Simpson would fade away, much like her early reality series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. However, Jessica Simpson is not a one-trick pony. The star has appeared in several movies, and side-stepped into the country music genre.
On top of her artistic endeavors, Jessica Simpson has a successful fashion brand. Her clothing line, The Jessica Simpson Collection, has earned over $1 billion. The star’s total net worth is an impressive $200 million.
Adam Levine – $160 Million
Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine has earned his $160 million fortune in a variety of ways. As well as being a Grammy award-winning musician, the star is also a popular TV personality.
The California native was a coach on The Voice from 2011-2019, and that pays pretty well. To be precise, it pays $14 million per year. Adam Levine also owns a record label and a production company. He has appeared in various movies, and collaborated with Kmart for a menswear collection.
Ed Sheeran – $200 Million
English musician Ed Sheeran started writing songs when he was just 11 years old. Today, his skills have earned him a net worth of $200 million. The singer-songwriter is one of the world’s best selling artists.
Both “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill” broke records in multiple countries by debuting at the top of the charts. Of course, Ed Sheeran doesn’t just make money from record sales. Reportedly, the star made $64 million between 2019-2020 from touring.
George Clooney – $500 Million
He’s an incredibly famous movie star, but George Clooney doesn’t just have movie money. The award-winning actor owns a production company, and also founded an extremely popular beverage brand. In total, this gives him a hefty net worth of $500 million.
As with some of the other wealthy celebs on our list, George Clooney is very involved in activism. The star has supported humanitarian work across the world. He is also an advocate of gun control and LGBT rights.
Kenny G – $100 Million
Kenny G isn’t the most famous name on our list, but he does have a surprisingly large net worth. The saxophone player is one of the best-selling artists of all time, having sold over 75 million records. Plus, the musician made some savvy investments.
He was an early investor of Starbucks, which netted him some serious profit. Starbucks and saxophone money combined gives him a net worth of $100 million. Kenny G is a licensed pilot and owns a seaplane which he flies regularly.
Kanye West – $400 Million
Look, it’s not surprising that Kanye West is rich. However, not too long ago he was much richer, worth approximately $2 Billion. His recent comments saw him lose his whopping deal with Adidas which was reportedly worth $1.5 Billion.
He’s still considered one of the most influential hip-hop musicians of all time. Seriously, the man has 24 Grammys. Beyond music, Kanye has a thriving fashion career, and we’re sure he’ll pick himself back up and rejoin the Billionaire club in the future.
Simon Cowell – $600 Million
It’s one thing to be a judge on a TV talent show. It’s quite another to have created the formats themselves. English TV personality and record executive Simon Cowell created both The X Factor and the Got Talent formats.
Both have been sold to countries around the world, netting the businessman a ton of cash. Simon Cowell is also the sole owner of British entertainment company Syco. He has produced acts such as Little Mix, One Director and Susan Boyle.
Samuel L. Jackson – $250 Million
As we’ve seen, it pays well to play a recurring character in a superhero franchise. Samuel L. Jackson was extremely prolific before he started portraying MCU character Nick Fury. The actor earns around five million dollars every time he depicts the S.H.I.E.L.D general.
In fact, the character was originally designed to look like the star, long before he played him on screen. Samuel L. Jackson is the highest-grossing actor of all time. Like Jackie Chan, he has appeared in over 150 movies.
Howard Stern – $650 Million
American broadcaster Howard Stern has been on the radio since the 1970s. His self-named show first gained popularity when it was nationally syndicated in 1986. At its peak, the show brought in a huge 20 million listeners. To date, Howard Stern’s net worth is $650 million.
Asides from radio, Howard Stern has written books and appeared on TV and in film. He was a judge on America’s Got Talent from 2012 to 2015, and starred in biographical comedy movie Private Parts.
Bono – $700 Million
Paul Hewson — better known as Bono — made his name as lead vocalist and songwriter for rock band U2. Outside of music, the star is a keen real estate investor. He was also a managing partner in a private equity firm that invested in a range of companies.
All in all, Bono is worth a cool $700 million. The star and his wife also co-founded a fashion brand named EDUN in 2005. More recently, Bono joined the board of directors for a drone delivery company.