Richest Celebrities 2025: Becoming famous is one thing—but turning that fame into billions is a whole different game. In 2025, only 18 celebrities worldwide have reached billionaire status, according to Forbes, with a combined net worth of $39 billion, up from $31 billion in 2024. These stars didn’t rely on talent alone. They built empires through smart investments, brand deals, and business ventures. From Hollywood icons to music moguls, let’s dive into the world of celebrity billionaires and see how they made it big. With an estimated net worth of $5.3 billion, Steven Spielberg left behind George Lucas and became the richest celebrity in the world in 2025. From Kim Kardashian to Jerry Seinfeld, here are the 18 stars who’ve capitalized on their renown enough to rank among the world’s wealthiest people. #ForbesBillionaires (Illustration: Neil Jamieson for Forbes) https://t.co/kHmL12cRRt pic.twitter.com/BGRsA7DgDJ — Forbes (@Forbes) April 7, 2025

List of Richest Celebrities in the World Most of the celebrities on this list have raked in billions – and we’re not just talking about their paycheques from movies, music, or sports. Nope, these savvy stars have built business empires that have made them ridiculously rich. Take Michael Jordan, for example. Sure, he earned a cool $3.5 billion or so from his basketball career, but it’s his smart investments and ventures that have really paid off. Like, remember when he sold his stake in the Charlotte Hornets for a whopping $3 billion? Talk about a slam dunk! And let’s not forget his lucrative deal with Nike – it’s been a game-changer for his bank account. These celebs are proof that hard work, smart moves, and a little bit of fame can add up to some serious cash. Here is the complete list: Rank Name Net Worth Age Country Main Sources of Wealth 1 Steven Spielberg $5.3B 78 USA Movies, Theme Park Deals 2 George Lucas $5.1B 80 USA Star Wars Franchise, Sale to Disney 3 Michael Jordan $3.5B 62 USA Nike Royalties, Endorsements, Team Ownership 4 Oprah Winfrey $3B 71 USA TV, Films, Real Estate 5 Vincent McMahon $3B 79 USA WWE, TKO Group Holdings 6 Jay-Z $2.5B 55 USA Music, Liquor Brands, Uber, Art 7 Kim Kardashian $1.7B 44 USA Skims, SKKN, Real Estate 8 Peter Jackson $1.7B 63 New Zealand Lord of the Rings, Sale of Weta Digital 9 Taylor Swift $1.6B 35 USA Music, Eras Tour, Music Catalog 10 Magic Johnson $1.5B 65 USA Sports Teams, Insurance, Real Estate 11 Rihanna $1.4B 37 Barbados Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty, Music 12 Tyler Perry $1.4B 55 USA Movies, Content Library, Tyler Perry Studios 13 Tiger Woods $1.4B 49 USA Golf, Endorsements, Real Estate 14 LeBron James $1.3B 40 USA NBA Salary, Endorsements, Business Ventures 15 Bruce Springsteen $1.2B 75 USA Music Catalog Sale, Tours, Broadway 16 Dick Wolf $1.2B 78 USA TV Shows (Law & Order, FBI), Production Company 17 Arnold Schwarzenegger $1.1B 77 USA Movies, Investments (Google), Real Estate 18 Jerry Seinfeld $1.1B 70 USA TV Show (Seinfeld), Comedy Specials

Richest Celebrities in the World with Name and Net Worth 1. Steven Spielberg Source: IMDb Net Worth: $5.3 Billion

Age: 78

Citizenship: U.S. Steven Spielberg became one of the richest filmmakers by directing blockbuster hits like Jaws, E.T., Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park. He has been on Forbes’ list of wealthy Americans since 1994 and still actively directs films, including the 2021 remake of West Side Story. He also earns 2% of all ticket sales from Universal theme parks through a lifetime deal. 2. George Lucas Source: IMDb Net Worth: $5.1 Billion

Age: 80

Citizenship: U.S. George Lucas is the creator of the Star Wars franchise, which remains hugely popular nearly 50 years after its debut. In 2012, he sold Lucasfilm to Disney for $4 billion in cash and stock. While he no longer earns directly from new Star Wars projects—like the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu movie planned for 2026—his earlier work secured his massive fortune.

3. Michael Jordan Source: nbastreet.fandom Net Worth: $3.5 Billion

Age: 62

Citizenship: U.S. Michael Jordan, the NBA icon, became the first athlete to join Forbes’ list of the 400 richest Americans in 2023. He was also the first billionaire athlete back in 2015. Most of his wealth comes from brand deals—especially with Nike, which pays him over $100 million each year in royalties from the Jordan brand. 4. Oprah Winfrey Source: Forbes Net Worth: $3 Billion

Age: 71

Citizenship: U.S. Oprah Winfrey rose to fame as the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran from 1986 to 2011. She became the first Black woman billionaire in 2003 through earnings from hosting, acting, and producing. In 2024, she appeared in the war drama The Six Triple Eight. Today, much of her wealth is invested in real estate—owning over 2,000 acres across California and Hawaii.

5. Vincent McMahon Source: Forbes Net Worth: $3 Billion

Age: 79

Citizenship: U.S. Vince McMahon began as a TV announcer for his father’s wrestling company in the 1970s. He bought the business in 1982 and turned WWE into a global entertainment giant. In 2023, he merged WWE with UFC to create TKO Group Holdings. McMahon briefly served as executive chairman but stepped down amid sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies. He has since been selling off his shares in the company. How They Made Their Billions Entertainment Giants Steven Spielberg – Director of iconic films like Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park. He earns from movies and a lifetime deal getting 2% from Universal theme park ticket sales.

George Lucas – Creator of Star Wars, sold Lucasfilm to Disney for $4 billion in 2012.

Sports Legends Michael Jordan – Most of his money comes from Nike’s Jordan Brand and smart investments.

Magic Johnson – Invested in sports teams and an insurance company, growing it from $16B to $26B in assets.

Tiger Woods – Big money from golf endorsements and luxury real estate.

LeBron James – NBA salaries plus investments, a production company, and ownership in sports teams. Music Moguls Jay-Z – Billionaire from music, alcohol brands, art, and early tech investments like Uber.

Taylor Swift – Billionaire thanks to her massive Eras Tour and valuable music catalogue.

Rihanna – Earned billions through Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, not just from music.

Bruce Springsteen – Sold his music rights for $500M and earned millions touring. TV & Film Powerhouses Oprah Winfrey – Media empire, real estate holdings, and acting.

Tyler Perry – Known for the Madea franchise and owning a major production studio.

Dick Wolf – Created hit franchises like Law & Order and FBI with huge per-episode earnings.

Photo: Getty Images

The Down Low

Emily Ratajkowski is no stranger to a sneaker trend. Often the first to sport many of the styles that regularly catapult to sell-out status, the Puma Speedcat has been a favorite of hers for a while. The simple shape is now synonymous with urban style and has inspired a host of other low-runner styles, with a similar, racing-forward design. (F1 fans, please rise.) When it comes to styling, keep things street style-friendly, the supermodel way, by wearing these iconic kicks with a billowy trouser and sleek, leather trench coat, for maximum cool points.

Photo: SplashNews

The Girl Dad

When Jennifer Lawrence takes the streets, we can’t help but take notice. Her style du jour these days has been the Dad sneaker—a favorite that we just can’t quit, either. New Balance may have been one of the first brands to bring these out of the archives, but you can look to other top sneaker designers, too, for equally comfortable and classic styles that are sure to save your soles. And although these certainly work for casual outfits, pared back to your favorite activewear or sweatpants, we love them styled with a suit, as well, for a modern office look.

Photo: Getty Images

The ’70s Throwback

Fashion’s refreshed zeal for the ’70s continues. We’ve seen a rise in bell bottom jeans and Penny Lane-inspired coats, but the signature, standout trend, inspired by the decade of disco, that has caught our attention as of late is the retro sneaker. Whether it’s an OG style like the Nike Cortez, a favorite of Dakota Johnson, or contemporary interpretations by luxe brands such as The Row, Loewe, and Toteme, these sporty, color-blocked kicks are worth investing in. Here, we recommend leaning into warm, neutral tones as your best bet.

Photo: Backgrid

The Skater Slip-On

It only makes sense that the queen of cool, Zoë Kravitz, is at the forefront of another Vans revival—the slip-on, skate sneaker. It’s an easy, everyday option that can be found made with everything from a classic, canvas fabrication, ideal for the warmer months ahead, to hardworking leather. True to her own, minimalist style, regularly inspired by the ’90s, these sneakers are the best complement to an effortless pair of low slung, baggy jeans—a silhouette the denim market can’t get enough of. Choose from the authentic, under-$100 option from Vans, or newer designer interpretations, like Bottega Veneta’s soft, leather pair, featuring their iconic, Intrecciato weave.

Photo: Getty Images

The Pop of Color

As the weather starts to turn, it’s hard to resist the power of something on the brighter side. Making a case for a pop of color is Gigi Hadid, whose bold red Adidas Gazelles demonstrate the easiest way to inject a little life into any wardrobe. Stick with vibrant, primary colors—one of spring’s top color trends—that can really act as your outfit focal point. From Puma to Vans and Veja, these pop-coded kicks feel ultra fresh.

Photo: Getty Images

The Hiker-Chic

Whether you love the great outdoors, or are simply a city slicker, hiker-inspired footwear has sparked interest within the street style set. Hailey Bieber’s recent outing in New York City had us immediately googling black-and-white combo sneakers with that trail-ready spin, to wear with everything from our standby leggings, hoodie, and leather jacket. Luckily, all of these have true performance properties, including incredible cushion and gripped soles, so you’ll never take a fall, even if that means just facing a slippery sidewalk.

Photo: Getty Images

The Chunky Platform

If thin-soled sneakers are not your jam, try something with a little more lift, such as Zoe Saldaña’s chunky, platform style. The actress effortlessly paired her bright white sneaks with wide-leg denim and a white T-shirt for an undeniably simple yet stylish, everyday outfit solution. You can’t go wrong with any of the below, from Nike’s elevated court trainer to Puma’s hidden wedge to Alexander McQueen’s oversized shape. Even in stark white, these make a bold statement.

Photo: Getty Images

The Courtside-Coded

Katie Holmes loves a white sneaker and lately she can’t seem to stop wearing Autry’s Medalist, a style released in 1982, the same year the Nike Air Force One sneaker came out; clearly, an impactful year in the sneaker realm, as these ’80s styles still keep us on our toes. Go for all-white options in this category for the most versatility in the styling department. They can be worn with everything from wide-leg jeans and a striped T-shirt, to a summer-ready sundress, once the hot-weather temperatures hit.

The first Monday in May has come and gone—and with it, the 2025 Met Gala, fashion’s biggest night of the year, when flocks of celebrities gather at NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art in fancy outfits, eat dinner, and definitely don’t break the rules and take selfies in the bathroom. Getting on the Met Gala guest list is extremely coveted for obvious reasons, including but not limited to the fact that you get to wear a designer gown/chandelier costume if you’re Katy Perry. Ahem:

Karwai Tang // Getty Images

But the Met Gala doesn’t come cheap! Tickets are extremely expensive, and prices go up every year. Here’s who’s footing the bill (hint: not the celebs).

First Up, Can the General Public Buy Tickets to the Met Gala?

Well, no. The Met Gala is an invitation-only event, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is in charge of the guest list…like, to the point where even *if* a designer/brand spends the money to buy an entire table, Anna still dictates the people it gets to invite.

Kevin Mazur/MG24 // Getty Images

How Much Do Met Gala Tickets Cost?

In 2024, tickets reportedly sold for $50,000 to $75,000 a pop—and if you wanted to buy an entire table, it set you back $300,000. But a ton of perks come with a ticket, like an early look at the museum exhibit, cocktails, dinner, and access to the most exclusive party of the year.

Oh, and P.S., 2023 Met Gala tickets were more expensive than ever before, which allegedly caused some regular museum donors to opt out. “These people are already donating so much. To then ask for that amount is a lot,” one source told Page Six in April 2023, while another countered with, “For every person that decides not to go, 20 people will line up behind them and beg to come. Will Anna want those people? Maybe, maybe not.”

Cindy Ord/MG24 // Getty Images

Do Celebrities Pay for Met Gala Tickets?

I mean, it has happened before. Back in 2012, Page Six reported (although the story has since been removed…👀) that Kate Upton dropped $25,000 to attend the Met Gala and allegedly wrote Anna a check while meeting with her at the Vogue offices.

Kevin Mazur/MG21 // Getty Images

Typically, though, designers or brands will buy out an entire table and invite celebs as their guests—whom Anna has to approve, of course!

’Kay, but Who Pays for the Clothes?

Celebs work directly with designers to create their looks (or pull from archives), so nope: No one is forking over a buncha money for couture. They’re fully just out here wearing it for free!

Cindy Ord/MG24 // Getty Images

Does Everyone Get to Walk the Carpet?

Whether you’re a celebrity or a rich donor, anyone with a ticket to the Met Gala gets to walk the red carpet…which can apparently be somewhat awkward next to all the A-listers doing their thing.

“Everyone walks the red carpet,” attendee Cameron Silver told Page Six in 2017, “but less well-known guests hear crickets because no one is paying attention. It is one of the most demeaning things to walk those stairs as a non-celebrity. I’ve seen so many people run up those stairs and they look amazing, but they’re not recognizable [enough for the paparazzi to care]. It’s very bruising on the ego.”

Jamie McCarthy // Getty Images

On that note, excuse me while I change into sweats and continue to judge everyone’s looks from my couch while surrounded by pizza.

Instagram is one of the most popular social media networks used by marketers to connect with their audiences. It is also the most popular social network for most influencer marketing platforms, with many influencers in different niches and more emerging each day.

Almost all brands and marketers have, at some point, worked with an influencer or have plans to. Our data finds that as much as 60% of brands work with at least 10 influencers. And, most prefer working with smaller influencers who are more authentic and affordable.

However, if you have a large enough budget and want to reach millions of people via just one post, then celebrities are your best bet. No one can beat the power and influence of a celebrity or match their follower bases.

Here’s a list of the top highest-earning celebrities and influencers on Instagram with whom you can collaborate to reach millions of people.

Highest Paid Instagram Stars in 2024:

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $3,234,000

Christiano Ronaldo is one of the most popular football players in the world and doesn’t really need an introduction. However, for all those who don’t know about sports, he is a Portuguese football player, who plays as a forward.

Ronaldo is the dream celebrity for brand endorsements for any sports brand and he also does it well. Unlike other celebrities who often just mention a brand and don’t even bother to write a caption, he actually does a good job. Here’s one such example of his post in which he promoted shampoo by Clear.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $2,597,000

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who doesn’t really need any introduction. He is one of the most popular footballers of all time. He plays forward both for Argentina’s national team and the MLS club, Inter Miami.

He has done several brand endorsements, not limited to brands in the sports and fitness categories. Here is an example of his paid collaboration with the food brand, Lay’s.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $2,558,000

Selena Gomez is a Spanish singer and actress who has a massive fan following worldwide. She has a huge follower base on Instagram and has been among the most popular Instagrammers for years. She breaks the norm that celebrities don’t get high engagement rates on their posts and gets an average of 1.41% engagement rate on her Instagram posts.

She is often seen endorsing fashion, lifestyle, and beauty brands. Here’s one example.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $2,386,000

Kylie is the owner of the beauty brand, Kylie Cosmetics, and is one of the most influential people in the beauty industry. She belongs to the popular Jenner-Kardashian clan of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” fame. The entire extended family rose to fame because of that show, but each has their own set of accomplishments.

Kylie is a celebrity influencer who charges $600.000 per post and is mostly seen endorsing luxury fashion and beauty brands.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $2,326,000

Dwayne, popularly known as, “The Rock,” is a Hollywood actor who first gained popularity as a wrestler in the TV show called WWE. He is known for his solid build and is mostly seen in action movies. And, that makes him a perfect celebrity influencer for health and fitness brands.

Here’s an example of him promoting a water brand on Instagram.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $2,264,000

Ariana is an award-winning, American singer, actress, and songwriter who has several hit singles. Her recent single, “Just Look Up” has been on almost all prominent music billboards worldwide.

A simple mention from her on her Instagram feed can help you reach her 354 million followers. Here’s one such post where she mentions the beauty brand, Ulta Beauty.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $2,176,000

Kim Kardashian is another celebrity who rose to fame after being featured in a TV series based on her family. She just launched her cosmetics brand, KKW Beauty, following in the footsteps of her half-sister, Kylie Jenner.

Kim is very popular on social media and consistently has media attention and gets both good and bad publicity. Here is a paid post where Kim is seen promoting a wellness brand.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,889,000

Beyonce is a very popular singer and actress who was earlier a part of the famous band, “Destiny’s Child.” She is one of the most popular singers in the world and has sold over 100 million records worldwide.

Netflix launched a film about her life, and she promoted it on her Instagram page.

Beyonce has worked with Adidas to promote their Ivy Park range of clothing.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,866,000

Khloe Is another businesswoman and socialite from the Jenner-Kardashian clan. She co-founded an apparel brand called Good American. She is also involved with Kylie’s beauty brand and often designs several collections and fragrances.

Here is an Instagram post where she is promoting her ZenWtr alkaline water.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,763,000

Justin Bieber is a popular Canadian singer who has made it to the list, primarily because of his massive fan following. He has a global fan base and that makes him coveted for brands who want to reach that audience.

Here’s an example of him promoting an apparel brand.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,758,000

Kendall Jenner is the sister of Kylie Jenner and a part of the Jenner-Kardashian family. She also features in the TV series, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” which is based on this family.

She is a model who has worked with several reputable companies like Victoria’s Secret and Estee Lauder. Her popularity and huge social media follower base keep landing her paid collaboration opportunities. Here is one such example of a sponsored post that she created for the fashion brand, Calvin Klein.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,611,000

Taylor Swift is an American singer and songwriter with a global fan base. She is one of the highest-selling artists of all time and has several record-breaking singles. She has received 10 Grammys, one Emmy, 12 Country Music Association Awards, and 23 Billboard Music Awards.

Here’s a commercial for Amazon Music that she posted on her Instagram feed.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,497,000

Jennifer Lopez, often called J.Lo, is an American actress, singer, dancer, fashion designer, producer, and businesswoman. In 1997, she became the first Latin actress to earn over $US1 million for a film and established herself as the highest-paid Latin actress in Hollywood. She has also tasted success in the music industry and became the first woman to have a number-one album and film in the same week in 2001.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,384,000

Virat Kohli is the current captain of the Indian cricket team. Many regard him as one of the best contemporary batsmen in the world. He plays for Delhi in domestic cricket and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In 2020, Forbes ranked Kohli 66th in their list of the top 100 highest-paid athletes in the world for that year, with estimated earnings of $26 million. He received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honor in India, in 2018.

He has recently used Instagram to make paid partnership posts promoting Wrogn styles for Myntra.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,344,000

Nicki Minaj is a famous rapper, singer, songwriter, model, and actress. She has won several awards for her music, including six American Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, and 11 BET Awards. She was nominated for 10 Grammy awards but has not won one yet.

She often endorses luxury brands or simply mentions them in her Instagram posts. Here’s one such post where she mentions the luxury fashion brand, Fendi.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,343,000

Like her sisters, Kourtney Kardashian starred in Keeping Up with the Kardashians. She is involved in the retail and fashion industries and has launched several clothing collections and fragrances.

She has made much use of her Instagram and other social accounts, endorsing products such as waist-slimming pants, beauty products, Coca-Cola, and prescription drugs.

She shared posts on behalf of Febreze, although many of her internet fans weren’t impressed by the non-glamorous product promotion.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,276,000

Miley Ray Cyrus is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and record producer. She became a teen idol while portraying the title character of the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana. As Hannah Montana, Miley attained two number-one and three top-ten soundtracks on the U.S. Billboard 200. She has also achieved three U.S. number-one albums in her own right, as well as three other albums in the top five. People often cite her as an example of a successful child actor-turned-singer.

She went from innocent Nickelodeon star to full pop star, and she used her Instagram account to help her re-brand. She deleted her account briefly in 2018, but it wasn’t gone for long.

Estimated Average Price Per Post -$1,220,000

Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter, and television judge. She rose to fame in 2008 with her second album, One of the Boys. All subsequent albums have topped the U.S. Billboard 200.

She has nine U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, five Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards, a Brit Award, and a Juno Award. Her Super Bowl XLIX halftime show performance is the most-watched in history.

She has learned the benefits of using Instagram Stories for marketing. That is how she teased her Katy Perry Collection back in 2017.

She still promotes shoes from her Katy Perry collection through her Instagram account.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,141,000

Neymar is a Brazilian footballer who plays forward for the Brazil national team and the Saudi club, Al Hilal. He was once a world phenomenon and had quickly risen to fame. Some of the biggest names in the sport were once his equals, including legends like Messi and Ronaldo (who are also on this list).

He is a good option for sports and fitness brands that are looking for a celebrity to endorse their brand. Here’s an example of one of his Instagram posts where he is promoting the sports shoe brand Nike.

Estimated Average Price Per Post – $1,071,000

Kevin Hart is an American actor, stand-up comedian, and producer. He has acted in several popular movies and TV shows including “Jumanji” and “Modern Family.” He is quite active on Instagram and has a substantial follower base.

As a celebrity, he sometimes gets the opportunity to design his own collections for different brands, like the one shown in the example below.

Why Are Brands Choosing the Highest Paid Instagram Stars?

Partnering with high-paid Instagram stars offers numerous benefits that can significantly boost your brand’s visibility, credibility, and engagement. Here’s why top stars are often the preferred choice for many brands:

Massive Reach and Audience

High-paid stars typically have millions of followers, giving brands an unparalleled reach. For example, Christiano Ronaldo has a following of 635 million, while his long-term football rival, Messi, has 504 million followers.

By collaborating with these influential personalities, brands can instantly put their products or services in front of a vast and diverse audience. This broad exposure is particularly beneficial for launching new products or entering new markets. Simply put, having a massive reach and audience is essential for influencer marketing.

Enhanced Credibility and Trust

Top stars have spent years building a loyal following that trusts their recommendations. When a high-profile personality endorses a brand, it lends immediate credibility and trustworthiness. Followers are more likely to try a product recommended by someone they admire and trust, leading to higher conversion rates.

A prime example is Michael Jordan’s partnership with Nike to create the Air Jordan brand. Since its launch in 1985, the Air Jordan line has generated substantial revenue, with $6.6 billion reported in 2023 alone. This collaboration not only revolutionized the sneaker industry but also solidified Nike’s credibility, leveraging Jordan’s immense popularity and trusted persona to achieve record sales and establish Air Jordan as an iconic brand worldwide.

High Engagement Rates

Stars with substantial followings often achieve high engagement rates on their posts. Their content receives thousands, if not millions, of likes, comments, and shares. This level of interaction not only increases brand awareness but also fosters a sense of community and loyalty among consumers.

For example, LeBron James shared an Instagram post about the latest collaboration between Liverpool FC and the LeBron James brand. This post drastically outperformed his usual posts, garnering exceptional levels of engagement. The buzz around this collaboration not only highlighted LeBron’s influence but also significantly increased brand awareness for both Liverpool FC and the LeBron James brand.

Creative and High-Quality Content

High-paid stars are often content creation experts. They produce visually appealing, high-quality content that aligns with their personal brand and resonates with their audience. Brands benefit from this expertise by getting professionally crafted content that enhances their image and appeals to potential customers.

For example, The Rock likes to get creative with his celebrity endorsements, even when promoting his own brands throughout his socials. Just check out this video he did for ZOA Energy.

Access to Targeted Niches

Many stars specialize in specific niches, such as fashion, fitness, professional sports, acting, or music. By partnering with a star who aligns with their industry, brands can reach highly targeted audiences that are more likely to be interested in their offerings.

For instance, Kim Kardashian is one of the highest-paid Instagram celebrities out there. While she doesn’t have a predefined niche, she mostly does brand endorsements with makeup and clothing brands. Therefore, she works best when promoting brands in these highly targeted niches. This targeted approach can lead to more effective marketing campaigns and better ROI.

Conclusion

These are some of the highest-earning Instagrammers who have massive follower bases and are recognized worldwide. Collaborating with any of these Instagrammers can help you reach millions with a single post. So, if your goal is to reach as many people as you can, then these are the ones you should collaborate with.

Note: All engagement rate calculations are done using HopperHQ.

Frequently Asked Questions Who is the highest paid on Instagram 2024? The highest-paid Instagram celebrity and influencer in 2024 is Christiano Ronaldo. The celebrity topped our 2024 Instagram rich list, with a whooping $3,234,000 cost per post. How much do Instagrammers get paid? Instagrammers will get paid different amounts of money depending on how many followers they have. For example, Instagrammers with less than 10,000 followers will make around $88 per post. The Instagrammers with less than 100,000 followers will make $200 per post on average, though it depends on the profile. Some accounts will instead be gifted free products. How much money does 1 million Instagram followers make? An influencer with 1 million Instagram followers will make $10,000 per post. If you are an influencer with more than 1 million followers, you can charge anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 per post or campaign. Who is the most paid social media influencer? These are the highest paid social media influencers: Cristiano Ronaldo, who makes $3,2 million per sponsored post

Lionel Messi, who earns nearly $2,5 million per sponsored post

Selena Gomez, who makes nearly $2,5 million per sponsored post

Kylie Jenner, who makes $2,3 million per sponsored post How much does Kim Kardashian make per Instagram post? Popular influencer Kim Kardashian makes around $2,176,000 per Instagram post. She gets the number seven spot on our Highest Pair Stars on Instagram list, coming just behind Ariana Grand, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez, Lionel Messi, and Christiano Ronaldo.

The Met Gala’s attendees feature celebrities like Kylie Jenner walking the famous red carpet. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

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Ah, the Met Gala — one of the biggest star-studded events of the year. Unless you’re an A-list celebrity or fabulous designer, chances are you will never know what it’s like to attend the “Oscars of the East.”

But thankfully, enough celebrities and guests have spoken about the event that we have a glimpse of what it would be like to actually get into this storied ball.

From pricey tables to celebrity interactions, here’s what it’s really like inside the Met Gala.

Related video Top 7 looks from the Oscars red carpet

What is the Met Gala?

The Met Gala serves a purpose — to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

Also known as the Costume Institute Benefit, the Met Gala has become a high-fashion arena for designers and celebrities.

It’s hosted by the chairwoman of the gala, Vogue’s editor in chief, Anna Wintour, with famous faces usually co-chairing the event. The 2025 Met Gala co-chairs will include Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, and ASAP Rocky.

Previous Met Gala co-chairs have included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth.

Though the gala has existed since 1948, Wintour took over as chairwoman in 1995, and ever since then, it has transformed from a philanthropic event to the “Oscars of the East.”

Anna Wintour has hosted the Met Gala since 1995, when the theme was “Haute Couture.” Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

The Met Gala takes place every year on the first Monday in May (obviously the inspiration behind the title of the documentary, “The First Monday in May,” about the event).

It’s not only the launch of the Costume Institute’s annual exhibit but a time to recognize the East Coast’s influence on celebrity and culture.

The 2025 Met Gala will be hosted on May 5, celebrating this year’s theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” The menswear-inspired dress code has been labeled “Tailored for You,” which Vogue has said is open to interpretation but will likely highlight Black dandyism.

What do celebrities do inside the Met Gala?

In addition to a red carpet spectacle, guests can expect a cocktail hour and formal dinner inside the Met Gala.

Guests arrive at the bottom of the Met’s famous staircase and walk up the red carpet. The tent is filled with flashing bulbs and screams from pedestrians cramming in to try to glimpse the stars and their dresses.

Celebrities go all out for their Met Gala outfits. In 2024, Tyla wore a dress made of sand and carried an hourglass, representing the “sands of time.” Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Between 600 and 700 people attend the event, ranging from A-list stars to designers to employees from Vogue, the Met, the Costume Institute, and some brand sponsors.

The guests are led inside and around the museum, typically through the Costume Institute’s coming exhibit. They are also allowed to mingle for a cocktail hour. They’re then privy to exclusive performances and state-of-the-art dinners.

Though the decor and setting change yearly, the Met Museum’s Temple of Dendur room has become a recent favorite. Lizzo graced a stage set in 2023, performing classical flute pieces and singing her own tracks.

In 2024, Cynthia Erivo joined Ariana Grande to perform covers and hits like “Into You.”

But one of the best parts about attending the Met Gala is the celebrity interactions that wouldn’t take place anywhere else. Olivia Rodrigo chatted with Kendall Jenner while Jon Batiste and Cynthia Erivo danced together in 2022. And in 2023, Anne Hathaway looked shocked to discover that Jared Leto was beneath the costume of Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, creating one of the best Met Gala moments seen on the event’s red carpet.

You’re also likely to see new romances forming — Swifties credit the Met Gala with linking Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn in 2016. Wintour also helped fuel rumors that she was dating actor Bill Nighy when they walked the carpet together in 2023. However, his rep later said they were just “great friends.”

Can anyone go to the Met Gala, including non-celebrities?

Sorry — if you’re not an “it” actor, celebrity, musician, sports superstar, or designer, you’ll have to shell out, big time.

The cost to attend the Met Gala can range from $75,000 for a single ticket to $350,000 for a table. Sometimes, designers can get a table discount depending on the brand’s size and relationship with Vogue.

That money goes to the Costume Institute — nearly $22 million was reportedly raised in 2023.

Oh, and just in case you thought you could save for it, Wintour is said to have a say over every invitation.

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How do celebs get invited to the Met Gala?

The Met Gala’s invitation process is fairly mysterious — and the public usually doesn’t know which celebrities will show up until they step onto the red carpet. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

While it’s unclear how exactly celebrities are chosen to attend the Met Gala, attendees are often in the midst of major career moments and/or recent fashion campaigns with attending brands.

The invites are just as classy as the event itself. Obviously, Wintour wouldn’t settle for a generic e-vite, so guests get gorgeous invitations featuring the Met Gala’s theme for the year, typically with an artistic flair such as a Richard Avedon photograph or a Man Ray painting.

There was never an age restriction at the Met Gala until 2018, when it was deemed “not an appropriate event for people under 18.”

This means young Hollywood faces like Ariana Greenblatt and Iain Armitage aren’t eligible to attend. However, there is an exception to the rule. Guests under 18 are allowed to attend if their parents chaperone them.

Do celebrities pay for their outfits?

If you do get to attend the Met Gala, you must dress to the nines. Guests go all out when it comes to what they wear. Since the Met Gala is associated with a museum show, guests typically dress thematically — sometimes the show will honor a designer, like 2023’s theme honoring Karl Lagerfeld, or perhaps it will have a broader directive, such as “Manus x Machina” or “Model as Muse.”

The 2024 dress code was “The Garden of Time,” which allowed celebrities to wear everything from vintage pieces to custom looks that embraced technology and nature.

Designers typically court celebrities to wear their custom looks, from dramatic and daring dresses to accessories. Sometimes, it backfires — think Madonna’s risqué Givenchy look in 2016 — but more often, it wows, like Rihanna’s robe designed by Chinese couture designer Guo Pei in 2015.

On occasion, attendees purchase their outfits, like Zendaya did last year with her historical Givenchy piece.

Rihanna stunned on the red carpet in 2015, wearing a robe designed by Guo Pei in honor of the Met Gala’s theme: “China: Through the Looking Glass.” Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

If you dislike any Met Gala look, you might have Wintour to blame. Journalist Amy Odell, who has written a biography on the Vogue editor in chief, says all outfits are pre-approved by Wintour before celebrities step onto the red carpet.

It’s unclear what happens to Met Gala outfits after the event. It’s rumored that most garments are returned to designers, but it’s likely a case-by-case scenario.

The most valuable Met Gala outfits throughout history are also a mystery. However, Dua Lipa wore $10 million worth of jewelry in 2023, and the Marilyn Monroe piece that Kim Kardashian wore in 2022 has been described as “the most expensive dress in the world.”

Why is the Met Gala controversial?

The 2023 Met Gala’s Karl Lagerfeld theme received criticism, given some of the views Lagerfeld expressed throughout his lifetime. Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Some celebrities dislike the Met Gala. Gwyneth Paltrow famously said she had no fun. “I’m never going again. It was so un-fun. It was boiling. It was too crowded. I did not enjoy it at all,” the Goop maven said.

Amy Schumer similarly hated the event, calling it a “farce” to Howard Stern and saying the entire event was like a “punishment.”

Demi Lovato also said one star treated her so terribly that she felt like drinking alcohol, so she left early to go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

And then there was Lena Dunham, who drew intense backlash after criticizing not only the Met Gala but Odell Beckham Jr., the famous wide receiver she was seated next to.

Some Met Gala themes have also faced scrutiny. Many took issue with the Karl Lagerfeld theme in 2023, as the late designer often expressed offensive views throughout his life, like criticizing women with curves and saying he was “less keen” on same-sex couples adopting children.

Who is banned from the Met Gala?

Much like the secretive approach to Met Gala invites, who isn’t allowed at the annual event is also unclear.

Tim Gunn has said that he was once disinvited from attending, and “Riverdale” star Lili Reinhart said in 2022 that she doesn’t believe she’ll be allowed back after criticizing Kim Kardashian’s extensive efforts to fit into small clothing for the event.

But the only star Wintour has confirmed to be excluded from future fundraising festivities is US President Donald Trump, though he has attended in the past, as have his family members.

Celebrities including Meryl Streep, Ryan Gosling, and Adele have surprisingly never attended the Met Gala, though it’s not because they’ve been banned.

Fans are just patiently waiting for them to make their first appearances.

Michelle Mark contributed to an earlier version of this post.