Iconic Star Wars director George Lucas has been named the richest celebrity billionaire with a net worth of $5.5 billion by Forbes
Star Wars franchise filmmaker George Lucas has been revealed as the richest celebrity in the world.
With a fortune of $5.5 billion, the 79-year-old director topped the annual Forbes list of celebrity billionaires as reported by NME.
Lucas, who served as the executive producer, writer, and director of the Star Wars franchise until Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith in 2005, also produced the Indiana Jones film series.
Lucasfilm, the production company he founded back in 1971, was sold to Disney in 2012 for $4billion, and has produced the later films in the Star Wars series, along with other projects.
In his early career, Lucas gained recognition for writing and directing the 1973 hit film American Graffiti, which earned him Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Picture. However, it was the release of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope in 1977 that solidified his success. The film became a cultural phenomenon, breaking box office records at the time and winning six Academy Awards, including technical categories, and receiving nominations for Best Picture and Best Director.
Lucasfilm has also announced two upcoming Star Wars spin-off series: The Acolyte and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, both scheduled for release in the near future.
Fellow filmmaker Steven Spielberg, best known for cinematic blockbusters including Jaws and Jurassic Park, came in second place with an estimated $4.8 billion career earnings. Spielberg built his fortune by taking home a percentage of gross box office sales for each of his movies, Forbes reported. As of 2018, he holds the title of the world’s highest-grossing director, per the Wrap.
The Forbes list of celebrity billionaires includes several other TV and film legends.
Peter Jackson, known for directing The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, secured the seventh spot with a net worth of $1.5 billion.
Tyler Perry, an actor, director, and producer, claimed the eighth position with $1.4 billion. Dick Wolf, the creator of long-running crime franchises like Law & Order, ranked 13th with an estimated career earnings of $1.2 billion.
Former NBA star Michael Jordan, who has a net worth of $3.2 billion, landed in third place. Jordan became the first billionaire athlete in 2015, primarily due to his brand partnerships and his lucrative deal with Nike. He also made a significant profit by selling his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets for $3 billion last summer.
Oprah Winfrey, a media mogul, claimed the fourth spot with a net worth of $2.8 billion.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian secured the sixth position with a net worth of $1.7 billion. Her success is attributed to her makeup and clothing brand, with her shapewear company alone valued at $4 billion according to Forbes.
Pop star Rihanna amassed a fortune of $1.4 billion through her successful brands. Fenty Beauty, founded under LVMH, and her lingerie company, Savage X Fenty, contributed to her wealth.
Taylor Swift, primarily known for her music and concert earnings, debuted on the list in 14th place with a net worth of $1.1 billion. Most of her wealth came from record-breaking ticket and merchandise sales from her tours and associated film.
Swift's billionaire status was first reported by Bloomberg in October, and now she has made her appearance on the annual Forbes list.
