Sharon S Gordon 
Forbes 2025 Black Billionaire List
Sharon S. Gordon
Forbes has released its annual World’s Billionaires list, revealing a record 3,028 billionaires worldwide whose combined wealth now totals $16.1 trillion. Within that elite group, just 23 are Black, representing less than 1% of all billionaires globally. Of those, 14 are American, accounting for only 0.5% of the total list. Together, these U.S.-based Black billionaires hold an estimated $50.9 billion in combined wealth, built largely through finance, energy, music, sports, and technology. Notably, this year’s rankings include two new Black entrants, signaling both progress and the persistent gaps in access to extreme wealth.
1. David Steward
Net Worth: $11.4 Billion
Source of Wealth: Information Technology
David Steward is the wealthiest Black American. Raised in the segregated South, Steward built his fortune from the ground up after purchasing a small auditing firm in 1983 using loans from community banks.
In 1990, he co-founded World Wide Technology (WWT), now one of the largest privately held IT companies in the U.S., serving clients such as Apple, Microsoft, Citi, and the federal government. WWT generated $17 billion in revenue in 2023.
2. Robert F. Smith
Net Worth: $10.8 Billion
Source of Wealth: Private Equity & Software
Robert F. Smith founded Vista Equity Partners in 2000, a private equity firm focused exclusively on software companies. Vista manages roughly $100 billion in assets and is one of the best-performing firms in the industry, with annualized returns of approximately 31%.
Smith is also known for eliminating $34 million in student loan debt for the Morehouse College Class of 2019 and for his philanthropic work through the Fund II Foundation.
3. Michael Jordan
Net Worth: $3.5 Billion
Source of Wealth: Sports, Ownership & Endorsements
Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan turned athletic dominance into a business empire. While his NBA salary totaled $90 million, his wealth primarily came from endorsements—especially Nike’s Jordan Brand—and ownership stakes.
Jordan formerly owned the Charlotte Hornets, co-owns 23XI Racing in NASCAR, and is an investor and advisor to DraftKings.
4. Oprah Winfrey
Net Worth: $3.0 Billion
Source of Wealth: Media & Television
Oprah Winfrey became a billionaire through ownership—not just visibility. Her talk show ran for 25 years, and she reinvested profits into films, publishing, and her media company.
In 2011, she launched OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) and later sold most of her stake to Warner Bros. Discovery. Her disciplined reinvestment strategy makes her one of the most financially influential women in the world.
5. Jay-Z (Shawn Carter)
Net Worth: $2.5 Billion
Source of Wealth: Music, Liquor Brands & Investments
Hip-hop’s first billionaire, Jay-Z built his fortune through strategic ownership. His assets include stakes in Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades) champagne, D’Ussé cognac, fine art, his music catalog, and early investments in companies such as Block and Uber.
In 2023, he sold a majority stake in D’Ussé to Bacardi, further increasing his liquidity.
6. Adebayo Ogunlesi
Net Worth: $2.2 Billion
Source of Wealth: Private Equity & Infrastructure
Born in Nigeria and now a U.S. citizen, Ogunlesi is the founder and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). In 2024, GIP was acquired by BlackRock for $12.5 billion, significantly increasing his net worth.
His firm invested in major global assets, including airports, ports, and energy infrastructure.
7. Magic Johnson
Net Worth: $1.5 Billion
Source of Wealth: Sports & Investments
After retiring from the NBA, Magic Johnson built one of the most successful post-athlete business portfolios in history. His wealth largely stems from a 60% ownership stake in Equitrust, a life insurance company that grew significantly under his leadership.
Johnson also holds ownership stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Commanders, and other professional sports franchises.
8. Tyler Perry
Net Worth: $1.4 Billion
Source of Wealth: Film, Television & Studio Ownership
Tyler Perry owns 100% of the content he has created—a rarity in Hollywood. Best known for the Madea franchise, Perry leveraged stage plays into a massive media empire.
In 2019, he opened Tyler Perry Studios, a 330-acre production facility in Atlanta, and secured a major ownership stake in BET+.
9. Tiger Woods
Net Worth: $1.4 Billion
Source of Wealth: Golf & Endorsements
Tiger Woods earned more prize money than any golfer in history, but the majority of his wealth came from brand partnerships—most notably with Nike.
He has won 15 major championships and remains one of the most marketable athletes of all time.
10. Tope Awotona
Net Worth: $1.4 Billion
Source of Wealth: Software
Born in Nigeria and raised in Atlanta, Awotona founded Calendly, a scheduling software platform valued at $3 billion by private investors. His success highlights the growing role of Black founders in enterprise technology.
11. LeBron James
Net Worth: $1.3 Billion
Source of Wealth: Sports, Media & Brand Equity
LeBron James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire. Beyond basketball, his wealth comes from endorsements, media ventures, and equity stakes—particularly in Beats by Dre.
His LeBron James Family Foundation has committed tens of millions of dollars to education initiatives.
12. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Net Worth: $1.0 Billion
Source of Wealth: Music, Touring & Brand Ventures
Beyoncé reached billionaire status following the success of her Renaissance World Tour, which grossed over $600 million. Her wealth also includes music ownership, fashion ventures, and strategic brand partnerships.
13. Rihanna
Net Worth: $1.0 Billion
Source of Wealth: Beauty & Fashion
Rihanna became a billionaire primarily through Fenty Beauty, which she co-owns with luxury giant LVMH. She also holds a significant stake in Savage X Fenty.
Her success made her the youngest self-made female billionaire in the U.S. at the time.
14. Sheila Johnson
Net Worth: $1.0 Billion
Source of Wealth: Media, Hospitality & Sports Ownership
Sheila Johnson co-founded BET and later invested heavily in hospitality through the Salamander Collection. She also holds ownership stakes in multiple professional sports teams and is a prominent film producer.
Final Takeaway
These individuals represent ownership, scale, and strategic reinvestment—the real engines of generational wealth. While their industries differ, the common denominator is control, equity, and long-term vision.
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