In the world of entertainment and business, few names shine as brightly as Rihanna. Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988 in Saint Michael, Barbados.
As a child, Rihanna helped her father sell clothes at a street stall to earn a living. Her childhood was marked by her father’s drug addiction, which caused family tensions and culminated in her parents’ divorce.
From poor student to billionaire, Rihanna began her musical career while still at school, forming a trio with classmates from Barbados. It was then that she met American music producer Evan Rogers, who was impressed by her talent.
After a successful audition, she was invited to record a demo tape, producing tracks such as “Pon de Replay” and “The Last Time”, which were included on her debut album *Music of the Sun* in 2005.
That album was a success, debuting at number 10 on the Billboard 200. In 2010, her collaboration with Eminem on *Love the Way You Lie* became a global hit, reaching the top of the charts in over 20 countries and becoming the best-selling song of the year in the United Kingdom.
His 2011 Loud Tour was a landmark, grossing an estimated $90 million and breaking records with 10 sold-out nights at London’s O2 Arena.
In 2015, Rihanna collaborated on the album *Anti*, landing a $25 million deal with Samsung, which included sponsorship of the album and associated tour. Since then, Rihanna has collaborated with artists such as Kanye West, Calvin Harris, Drake and DJ Khaled.
Rihanna expanded her influence beyond music with the launch of the Fenty fashion line, which is groundbreaking for its inclusivity and diversity of products.
In 2019, Rihanna announced a partnership with French conglomerate LVMH, becoming the first woman of color to lead a brand for the group, alongside iconic brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior.
Rihanna’s foray into the lingerie industry with Savage X Fenty demonstrated her entrepreneurial talent, redefining the market and promoting body positivity for women of all shapes and sizes.
The brand was highlighted as one of the “10 Most Innovative Lifestyle Companies of 2020” by *Fast Company*.
In 2021, Savage X Fenty reached a valuation of $1 billion, and in 2022, Rihanna announced the opening of the brand’s first physical stores in cities such as Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Much of Rihanna’s fortune comes from Fenty Beauty, which she launched in 2017. The cosmetics brand is aimed at “every woman” and promotes a wide range of skin tones. In just one month, Fenty Beauty generated $72 million in sales.
In the UK, it overtook MAC Cosmetics as the most successful launch at Harvey Nichols, and the brand’s foundation and lipstick became best-sellers.
Fenty Beauty contributed to a 17% increase in LVMH’s cosmetics and fragrance sales in the third quarter of 2017.
In 2018, the brand generated approximately $570 million in revenue, with a total market value of $2.8 billion, of which Rihanna owns 50%.
With her tireless work, Rihanna has consistently been listed among the richest self-made women in the United States.
The nine-time Grammy-winning artist has said she intends to use her fortune to help the community, saying: “My money is not for me.
I believe I can help others. This world can make us believe in wrong priorities, but I always want to remember the core values of life and what it means to be alive.”
