Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty, the U.S.-Barbadian music superstar and cosmetics billionaire, has solidified her status as one of the world’s wealthiest Black individuals.
She made headlines in 2022 as America’s youngest self-made billionaire, although her net worth has dipped from $1.7 billion to $1.4 billion today. Nonetheless, she stands tall among the global billionaire elite, ranking 2,085th on Forbes’ list.
Her cosmetics empire, Fenty Beauty, remains the crown jewel of her fortune, raking in $550 million in revenue in 2020 alone. Launched in 2017 in collaboration with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, this brand has significantly contributed to her wealth.
Beyond her billion-dollar beauty empire, Rihanna keeps sealing multimillion-dollar deals in the fashion world. Notably, there is the revival of Fenty x Puma, a groundbreaking partnership between her brand, Fenty, and the renowned German sportswear giant, Puma. This collaboration began in 2014 and resurfaced after an unannounced hiatus from 2017 to 2023.
But Rihanna isn’t just about business; she’s a leading philanthropist in the United States. In March 2020, she donated $5 million to COVID-19 relief, followed by contributions of personal protective equipment to New York and an offer of $700,000 worth of ventilators to her homeland, Barbados.
Billionaires.Africa has identified and cataloged several companies and holdings owned by Rihanna. Here’s a glimpse into some of these ventures:
1. Fenty Beauty
Rihanna’s entrepreneurial journey took a dazzling turn in 2017 with the launch of Fenty Beauty, a cosmetics powerhouse born from her collaboration with the esteemed French luxury conglomerate, LVMH Mot Hennessy Louis Vuitton. By 2020, the brand had soared to extraordinary heights, amassing over $550 million in revenue. Fenty Beauty’s presence graces Sephora shelves across a multitude of nations, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East. It also extends its allure to more than 150 countries through online channels.
2. Fenty Skin
Building on the resounding success of Fenty Beauty, Rihanna expanded her beauty empire in July 2020 with the introduction of Fenty Skin. Within a mere two years, this skincare sensation has firmly established itself as a leading player in the cosmetics industry. Its global footprint includes South Africa and Nigeria, two of Africa’s top-five wealth markets, as well as Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
3. Roraj Trade LLC
Roraj Trade LLC is the cornerstone holding company for all of Rihanna’s ventures, particularly those with the coveted Fenty trademark. In a pivotal move in 2014, Rihanna secured trademark rights to her surname, “Fenty,” spanning diverse products: clothing, lingerie, swimwear, beauty, and technology. This strategic move paved the way for iconic brands like Fenty Fashion Line, Fenty Beauty, and Fenty Skin. Under the Roraj umbrella, she also filed “Fenty Hair” applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in July 2022. In January 2023, Rihanna expanded her trademark empire to include a children’s brand, “Fenty Kids.”
Rihanna’s influence extends beyond cosmetics into the realm of intimate apparel through her 30-percent ownership stake in Savage X Fenty. Launched in partnership with TechStyle Fashion Group in 2018, this lingerie sensation has experienced meteoric growth. Rihanna transitioned from CEO to executive chair, facilitating the appointment of Hillary Super as CEO. This strategic shift attracted investments from notable entities like Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners and private equity firm L. Catterton, with Bernard Arnault among its shareholders. A 2021 funding round, led by Neuberg Berman, catapulted Savage X Fenty’s valuation to an impressive $1 billion, accumulating a total of $310 million in venture capital funding since its inception.
5. Tidal
Beyond the beauty and fashion industries, Rihanna boasts ownership in Tidal, a Norwegian-American music streaming service launched in 2014 by the Swedish public company Aspiro. Tidal remains majority-owned by Block, Inc., an American payment processing company spearheaded by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey.
6. Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF)
Rihanna’s philanthropic passion shines through the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), established in 2012 in honor of her beloved grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rihanna donated $5 million to relief efforts, alongside PPE donations to New York and ventilator offers to her home country, Barbados. In April 2020, she further contributed $2.1 million to support individuals and children experiencing domestic violence during lockdowns. CLF’s commitment extends to climate justice and resilience, with a substantial allocation of €13 million ($13.9 million) in 2022.
7. Rihanna’s Real Estate Portfolio
Rihanna’s investments transcend her professional ventures, including a $14-million penthouse in Lower Manhattan. In June 2018, she acquired a residence in West London for £7 million ($8.6 million) to facilitate her work with the Fenty fashion label. Following a break-in six months prior, Rihanna sold her Hollywood Hills mansion in December 2018 for a reported $10.4 million.
