Beyoncé is also an entrepreneur and has made millions from businesses including a production company, clothing line, a hair care brand, whiskey, and more.
Superstar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has made millions from her illustrious, decades-long career as an artist. Beyoncé's latest Renaissance World Tour, which wrapped in October 2023, made a total of $579 million across Europe and the U.S., making it the highest-grossing tour by a Black artist, a record Beyoncé set herself with the Formation World Tour.
In addition to her successful career as a singer spanning multiple decades and genres, the multi-hyphenate artist has launched various businesses (including a hair care brand, whiskey, perfume, and more) and entered lucrative brand partnerships over the years as she continues to build her empire alongside billionaire husband Jay-Z.
Beyoncé's successful career has spanned more than 20 years, in which time she has released eight studio albums (14 if you include the deluxe versions of her albums and live albums), and 82 singles.
In 2023, the Alien Superstar singer made history at the Grammys by becoming the most-nominated female artist in Grammy history, with a total of 88 nominations. She is tied with Jay-Z, who also holds the most-nominated title with 88 nominations.
The pop star has been known to use unconventional ways to market her albums. Beyoncé's eponymous album, which she released in December 2013 with no announcement, had more than 800,000 downloads on iTunes in the first three days of its release and was the fastest-selling album on iTunes at the time.
Her visual album Lemonade, known as Beyoncé's most raw and edgy album to date, was the world's best-selling album in 2016, and won a Peabody Award the same year.
While Renaissance is her highest-grossing tour yet, Beyoncé has earned millions from her other concert tours, too. Her 2016 Formation World Tour earned a total of $256.1 million, while her 2018 On the Run II Tour she did with Jay-Z earned $253.5 million.
Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour shows at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium were the highest-grossing concerts by a female artist in history, earning more than $16.5 million on July 29 and 30, 2023 according to Chart Data.
The superstar also released a concert film of the tour in December 2023, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, which topped the box office and earned $21 million on its opening weekend. The film was written, directed, and produced by Beyoncé.
Private Performances
Beyoncé has also earned millions from some private performances.
In January 2023, Beyoncé was paid about $24 million when she performed at the launch of the Atlantis the Royal hotel in Dubai. The gig topped a Forbes' list of the 10 most expensive private performances.
Beyoncé appears twice on the list -- she performed at Isha Ambani's pre-wedding events in India in 2018, and earned an estimated $4 million, according to the Hindustan Times. Isha Ambani is the daughter of Indian billionaire, Mukesh Ambani, who is one of the richest people in the world.
Acting
Among her many talents, Beyoncé is also an actress. Her film credits include Dreamgirls, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Obsessed, Cadillac Records, and most recently, The Lion King (2019). Beyoncé was paid an estimated $15 million for her role playing the voice of Nala in The Lion King as well as for lending her vocals for the film's soundtrack, according to StyleCaster.
Businesses
Beyoncé is also a savvy entrepreneur, and has made millions from launching lucrative businesses such as a production company, clothing line, a hair care brand, perfume, and more.
The Grammy-winning singer supports small businesses too. Beyoncé's BeyGood foundation surprised 12 Atlanta-based Black-owned small business owners with $10,000 grants during her stop in the city for the Renaissance Tour.
Parkwood Entertainment
In 2010, Beyoncé founded her own production, management, and entertainment company, Parkwood Entertainment, which she uses to produce movies, music, and clothing. Projects produced through the company include two of Beyoncé's films, Cadillac Records and Obsessed, Beyoncé's documentary, Life Is But a Dream, and Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.
IVY Park
Parkwood Entertainment also launched Beyoncé's streetwear and athleisure line with Adidas, Ivy Park. Ivy Park brought in $93 million in revenue in 2021, and $40 million in 2022, before Beyoncé and Adidas parted ways in 2023.
Beauty & Hair Care
Beyoncé has ventured into beauty, too. In November 2023, Beyoncé launched a perfume, Cé Noir, which retails for $160 per bottle.
In February 2024, Beyoncé launched her own hair care brand, Cécred. The brand features shampoos, conditioners, stylers, and treatments formulated for all hair types, ranging from $38 to $52. A bundle that includes all the products that have been released by the brand so far retails for $336. The brand does not have any outside investors and is fully funded by Beyoncé, according to Allure.
Brand Partnerships
Adding to her list of accolades and titles, Beyoncé is also a model and brand ambassador who has had many lucrative partnerships with brands over the years. In 2012, Beyoncé signed a $50 million deal with PepsiCo (PEP).
In 2019, Beyoncé signed a $60 million contract with Netflix (NFLX) for a three-project deal, according to Variety. The first special Homecoming, a behind-the-scenes look at her 2018 Coachella performance, is already on Netflix.
In March 2023, Beyoncé created a couture collection in collaboration with Swatch Group (SWGAY) owned-French fashion house, Balmain. The collection features 16 couture outfits inspired by the songs on Beyoncé's Renaissance album.
In July 2023, the singer announced a partnership with LVMH-owned (LVMUY) Tiffany & Co., called The Return to Tiffany x Beyoncé Collection. All of the profits from the sales of the collection will go to the About Love scholarship program, which is part of Beyoncé's BeyGood foundation.
In August 2024, Beyoncé launched her own brand of whiskey, SirDavis, in partnership with LVMH's subsidiary Moet Hennessy. The brand is an homage to Beyoncé's paternal-great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, a farmer who hid whiskey bottles in cedar trees for his family to find during Prohibition in the American South.
In October 2024, Levi Strauss & Co. launched a global campaign with Beyoncé that features the superstar in reimagined versions of classic looks and advertisements from Levi's history.