Today, celebrities don’t rely solely on music, movies or sports careers to make their money. Famous faces are launching everything from beauty brands to fashion lines – and making a fortune in the process. In fact, some incredibly savvy stars are making more money from their business ventures than from their day jobs.

We've ranked the 16 most successful celebrity side hustles of all time, based on pre-tax earnings from either the sale of their company or the current value of their stake in the business. Read on to discover which celebs have turned their passion projects into money-spinning empires.

All dollar amounts in US dollars.

Spotting a gap in the market for affordable yet stylish activewear, actress Kate Hudson co-founded Fabletics in 2013 alongside Adam Goldenberg, Don Ressler and Ginger Ressler.

In 2017, Forbes valued the sportswear company at $250 million (£193m), making Hudson’s 20% stake worth $50 million (£39m). However, Fabletics has grown since, generating $850 million (£657m) in sales last year alone and expanding to over 100 retail stores – meaning the value of Hudson's share is likely worth far more today.

In 2021, the company explored going public through an IPO with a $5 billion (£3.9bn) valuation in mind but ultimately decided to hold off. Regardless, Fabletics remains a massive success, contributing significantly to Hudson’s estimated $80 million (£62m) net worth.

Bethenny Frankel shot to fame on the reality TV series The Real Housewives of New York City, but the bulk of her estimated $80 million (£62m) net worth comes from her entrepreneurial ventures.

In 2009, she launched her low-calorie cocktail line, Skinnygirl. When the drinks became a hit, she expanded into snacks and apparel, transforming Skinnygirl into a full-fledged lifestyle brand.

Frankel struck it big when beverage giant Beam Suntory acquired Skinnygirl’s alcoholic drink division in a deal worth $39 million (£30m) upfront, with the potential to earn an additional $25 million (£19m) in incentives based on brand performance – bringing the total to $64 million (£49m). Meanwhile, Frankel retained the rights to the Skinnygirl name for other product categories like clothing and cookware, allowing her to continue growing her empire.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is arguably just as famous for her lifestyle brand, Goop, as she is for her on-screen roles.

Paltrow launched Goop in 2008, and the brand quickly gained attention for its often eyebrow-raising wellness products. Despite the controversy surrounding some of its items, Goop has grown into a $250 million (£193m) empire.

Paltrow owns a 30% stake in the company, which means her share is valued at around $75 million (£58m), contributing significantly to her estimated $200 million (£155m) net worth.

Actor Ryan Reynolds has built a $350 million (£270m) fortune, thanks not just to Hollywood but also to a string of savvy side hustles. His most profitable? Wireless carrier Mint Mobile.

Reynolds purchased a minority stake in Mint Mobile in 2019, and just four years later, in 2023, the company was acquired by T-Mobile for $1.35 billion (£1bn). The deal reportedly earned him $131 million (£101m) pre-tax and $70 million (£54m) after tax.

He also owned a 20% stake in Aviation American Gin. When Diageo acquired the brand for $610 million (£471m) upfront, Reynolds pocketed $67 million (£52m) pre-tax. However, he has the potential to earn an additional $55 million (£42m) in milestone payouts if the brand meets performance targets.

Expanding his business empire even further, he's also the co-owner of Welsh football club Wrexham AFC, which he and fellow actor Rob McElhenney purchased for $2.5 million (£1.9m) in 2020. 

Rapper 50 Cent (real name Curtis Jackson) became a spokesperson for Vitamin Water in 2004. Instead of taking a standard endorsement fee, he negotiated a 2.5% stake in the company and even launched his own drink, Formula 50.

The deal paid off massively when Coca-Cola acquired Vitamin Water's parent company for $4.1 billion (£3.2bn) in 2007. Jackson reportedly earned between $100 million (£77m) and $150 million (£116m) from the sale.

Despite the windfall, Jackson filed for bankruptcy in 2015. However, he soon bounced back, thanks in part to another savvy side hustle. In 2017, he reportedly sold his minority stake in Effen Vodka for around $60 million pre-tax, though that figure was never officially confirmed. Today, his estimated net worth stands at $60 million (£46m).

Music icon Dolly Parton is one of America’s richest self-made women, with a $450 million (£348m) fortune – a figure that would be even higher if not for her renowned generosity and philanthropy.

While much of her wealth comes from her music career, Parton has also cashed in on an unexpected side hustle: Dollywood, her namesake theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Since opening in 1986, Dollywood has become one of the most-visited tourist attractions in America.

Parton owns a 50% stake in the park, which is estimated to be worth $165 million (£127m). 

Actor George Clooney, with an estimated $500 million (£386m) net worth, is one of Hollywood’s richest stars. But surprisingly, the biggest payday of his career didn’t come from a movie role – it came from tequila.

In 2013, Clooney teamed up with friends Rande Gerber and Michael Meldman to launch Casamigos Tequila. What started as a passion project quickly grew into one of the biggest names in premium spirits.

Just four years later, beverage giant Diageo acquired Casamigos in a deal worth $1 billion (£770m). Clooney reportedly walked away with $230 million (£178m) pre-tax and $150 million (£116m) after taxes.

Tennis legend Roger Federer has an estimated $550 million (£425m) net worth. Surprisingly, most of his fortune was made off the court thanks to a game-changing side hustle.

In 2019, Federer partnered with Swiss sportswear brand On Running, becoming the face of the company in exchange for a 3% equity stake. He also launched a signature shoe line with the brand.

Federer’s star power helped On Running reach a $12 billion (£9bn) valuation, making his stake worth an estimated $360 million (£278m). This impressive figure is far more than the estimated $130 million (£100m) he banked on the tennis court.

Hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre launched the headphone brand Beats in 2008, alongside business partners including music executive Jimmy Iovine (pictured together).

Beats quickly took the market by storm, becoming a must-have music accessory. In 2014, tech giant Apple acquired the company for an eye-watering $3 billion (£2.3bn) in cash and stock.

Dr. Dre reportedly earned $700 million (£541m) from the sale, meaning this shrewd side hustle makes up the bulk of his estimated $850 million (£657m) net worth.

Jay-Z is officially the richest musician in the world, boasting a $2.5 billion (£1.9bn) net worth. But he didn’t build his fortune on music alone; he boosted it via various money-spinning side hustles. His most successful ventures? Luxury liquor brands Armand de Brignac and D’Ussé.

Jay-Z purchased the champagne brand Armand de Brignac in 2014, later selling a 50% stake to luxury goods giant LVMH in 2021. The deal reportedly earned him around $300 million (£232m). 

In 2023, he struck an even bigger deal, selling his majority stake in his D’Ussé cognac brand to Bacardi for a staggering $750 million (£580m). 

Dwayne Johnson has worn many hats over the years – wrestler, actor and, most recently, business mogul.

In 2020, Johnson and his partners launched the premium tequila brand Teremana. The company was an instant hit, selling 300,000 cases in its first year, with sales expected to double the following year.

Today, Teremana is valued at an impressive $2 billion (£1.5bn), with Johnson reportedly owning a 30-40% stake. This puts his share of the business at $600m-$800 million (£464m-£619m). While his current net worth is estimated at $800 million (£619m), reports suggest he's on track to become a billionaire, largely thanks to his booming tequila empire. 

Actress and singer Selena Gomez was recently declared a billionaire by Bloomberg, with an estimated $1.3 billion (£1bn) net worth. But it wasn’t her entertainment career that got her into the 10-figure club – it was her booming beauty business.

Gomez launched Rare Beauty in 2020, and her brand quickly became one of the biggest names in the celebrity beauty industry. Much of its success is thanks to Gomez’s massive influence. She's currently one of the most followed stars on Instagram, with over 421 million followers, allowing her to promote her products directly to a huge global audience.

Today, Rare Beauty is valued at $2 billion (£1.6bn), and Gomez’s stake reportedly accounts for around 80% of her total fortune. This means an incredible $1.05 billion (£810m) of her net worth comes from her wildly successful side hustle.

Reality TV star and influencer Kylie Jenner is one of the richest women in the world, with a $710 million ($550m) net worth, according to Forbes.

In 2015, at just 17 years old, Jenner launched Kylie Cosmetics, kicking off the brand with her now-iconic Lip Kits product. Five years later, she sold a 51% stake in the company to Coty, earning an estimated $540 million (£491m) pre-tax from the deal.

Today, Jenner still owns 44% of Kylie Cosmetics, which is valued at $1.2 billion (£930m), making her stake worth $528 million (£409m). Combined with the proceeds from the Coty sale, that's over $1.06 billion (£820m). 

NBA superstar Michael Jordan boasts an incredible $3.5 billion (£2.7bn) fortune according to Forbes. While he's banked millions on the basketball court, a large portion of his wealth comes from a seriously smart business move.

In 1984, Jordan partnered with Nike to launch his signature sneaker line, Air Jordan. The brand quickly became one of the bestselling sports shoe lines of all time.

Since its launch, Jordan has reportedly earned over $1.3 billion (£1bn) from his Nike partnership, making the venture one of the most lucrative side hustles in history.

Kylie Jenner isn't the only member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan making a fortune from a side hustle – her older sister Kim is also banking some serious cash.

The reality TV star launched shapewear brand Skims in 2019. A powerhouse in the fashion industry, the company is currently valued at $4 billion (£3.1bn). However, its value could be set to soar, as earlier this year, Skims acquired Kardashian’s skincare brand, SKKN by Kim, bringing her ventures under one umbrella. The company is now planning to expand into the beauty industry in 2026.

Kardashian owns 35% of Skims, meaning her stake is worth $1.4 billion (£1.1bn). Her total net worth stands at an impressive $1.7 billion (£1.3bn), according to Forbes.

Musician Rihanna is one of the richest women in in the world, with her net worth estimated at between $1.4 billion (£1.1bn) and $1.7 billion (£1.3bn). However, she owes most of her huge fortune to savvy side hustles.

In 2017, Rihanna launched the cosmetics company Fenty Beauty, which she co-owns with French luxury retailer LVMH. A huge success, the company is valued at $2.8 billion (£2.2bn), meaning Rihanna's 50% stake is worth around $1.4 billion (£1.1bn). 

Not content with just one wildly successful business venture, the fashionista star launched her lingerie line, Savage X Fenty, in 2018. She owns a 28% stake in the company, which is valued at $1 billion (£770m), with her slice worth around $280 million (£217m). Together, the total value of her stakes in both businesses is approximately $1.68 billion (£1.3bn). 

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