To become the world’s wealthiest female artist as she is today, Rihanna had to endure through some of the darkest and most challenging times.
Recently, Rihanna officially joined the ranks of billionaires with a net worth of $1.7 billion. According to Forbes magazine, she is currently the world’s wealthiest female artist at the age of 33.
At first glance, Rihanna’s success may seem relatively straightforward, but the reality is quite different. Before becoming the successful woman she is today, she had to face numerous tragedies and challenges.
Rihanna’s real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, born in 1988 in the island nation of Barbados. She grew up with two younger brothers in a relatively poor family. Her mother worked as an accountant, while her father was a warehouse supervisor.
At that time, music became the salvation for the soul of the 7-year-old girl. Rihanna often used a hairbrush as a microphone, singing along to the songs of her idols Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson on the radio. Those fleeting moments of happiness helped her realize that her future would depend on music.
At the age of 14, Rihanna’s parents officially divorced, liberating her from days filled with turmoil. To help her mother raise her two younger brothers, Rihanna had to mature early, earning money from cashiering and selling clothes on the streets.
Despite the busy struggle for survival, Rihanna still found ways to raise her voice through singing. She performed wherever she could, from beaches to crowded events. Besides music, Rihanna also yearned to become a strong individual. She dressed like a boy and even joined the military, rising to the rank of a cadet.
Rihanna revealed that her childhood full of tragedies was what molded her into the resilient person she is today.
“The tough exterior was developed from day one of going to school, not after I became famous,” she said. “I wouldn’t survive in the entertainment industry if I hadn’t had a tough exterior from the beginning. So, sometimes the hardest thing for me is to allow myself to be vulnerable.”
In just a decade, Rihanna has become one of the most successful singers, songwriters, and actresses in the world. She has sold over 540 million albums globally, won 9 Grammy Awards, and numerous other prestigious awards, with 14 timeless hit singles.
Furthermore, Rihanna has appeared in blockbuster films, become a cultural ambassador, and had a national holiday named after her in Barbados. Time magazine included her in the “100 most influential people in the world” list in both 2014 and 2018.
Her successful music career has also brought the singer enormous profits. In 2016 alone, Rihanna earned $22.3 million from record sales and streaming platforms. World tours have also contributed significantly to her wealth, such as the “Diamond” tour, which generated revenue of up to $137 million.
As the wealthiest female artist in the world, Rihanna is known for her generous spending on shopping, beauty treatments, fashion, and extended vacations. She also actively participates in charitable foundations, invests in startups, and creates job opportunities for those in need.
“I never thought I would make this much money, but this number won’t make me stop working,” the singer affirmed. “My money is not just for me. I always think I can help many others.”