What’s worse, is that the rate of poverty has been rising over the past years. Just a little over two decades ago, 278 million people lived below the poverty line. Fast forward to today and this figure has gone up to 413 million people. And if nothing changes, nearly 90 percent of African people will be on the verge of poverty by 2030, according to an estimation by World Bank.

Interestingly enough, however, Africa is rich in a variety of resources. For one thing, it contains nearly 40 percent of the world’s gold and up to 90 percent of platinum and chromium, both of which are precious metals. The largest reserves of uranium, diamonds, cobalt, and platinum are also located on the continent.

Why is Africa so poor despite its abundance of natural resources? There are several reasons. Mismanagement, for one. Bad infrastructure also prevents individuals from harvesting resources efficiently.

Having said all that, there are a few African nations that are doing quite well. What are their GDPs? Why are they so successful compared to the rest of the continent? Let’s find out.

Top 10 Richest Countries in Africa in 2026

Without further ado, here are the top ten richest African countries by overall GDP.

10. Eswatini

Eswatini is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa. Officially known as the Kingdom of Eswatini, it is unique in that it’s one of the last remaining absolute monarchies in the world as the king, who resides in Lobamba, rules over all of his subjects. It’s also one of the smallest nations with a population of under 1.2 million. The official languages are Siswati and English.

The tenth richest African country, its GDP per capita is $3,978 while its GNI per capita is $3,650. As for its economy, it’s largely dependent on the forestry and agriculture sectors (mainly sugarcane and sugar). The country’s manufacturing sector, which includes food processing and textiles, has also seen significant growth over the past several years. Not only that but the country is also rich in a number of mineral resources including gold, coal, and diamonds. Because of this, it has received many foreign investments.

Tourism is also a major part of their economy. In fact, they have a number of casinos and hotels. many of which feature handicrafts such as tapestries and textiles.

Like most of Africa, however, it still faces high poverty rates. HIV/AID rates are also high among the population.

9. Algeria

Algeria has a GDP per capita of $3,690 and a GNI per capita of $3,660, which puts it at number nine on our list. Located in North Africa, it is bordered by Western Sahara, Morocco, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania to the south, and Tunisia and Libya to the east.

A member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the country’s economy mainly relies on its gas and oil sectors, which account for over 95 percent of all its exports. Not only that but Algeria also has a well-developed agriculture sector that makes up a quarter of its economy. The most common crops are cereals such as oat, barley, wheat, and pulses.

While the Algerian economy decreased by 5.5 percent in 2020, it later expanded by nearly 4 percent during the first few months of 2021. Rising foreign investments have also boosted the country’s overall economic activity.

Despite its wealth, however, the nation still faces a number of challenges such as high unemployment rates (11.75 percent as of 2021). The poverty rate also increased sharply between 2021 and 2023.

8. Namibia

Namibia is a large country that’s located in South Western Africa. Despite its size, it’s sparsely populated with only 7.0 inhabitants per square mile. Known for its wildlife, it’s bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east, and South Africa to the east and south.

The eighth richest country in Africa, it has a GDP per capita of $4,860, and a GNI per capita of $4,650. It also has a sophisticated economy that’s heavily dependent on farming, manufacturing, brewing, metal fabrication, and fish processing (many species are found in high numbers including horse mackerel, sardines, hake, and anchovy). Not only that but it’s also rich in a number of minerals including uranium, diamonds, and other precious metals.

Compared to other African nations, it also has a stable political environment, which makes it attractive for foreign investors. However, the country does have a fair share of challenges including high poverty rates, poor access to basic services, as well as high unemployment levels. Income inequality has also been widening between the rich and poor in recent years.

7. Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a small country that’s located in Central Africa. Formerly a colony of Spanish Guinea, it consists of two main areas, a mainland, and an insular region, the latter of which consists of several islands, including Bioko Island.

While the government has one of the worst human rights records in the world, the country itself is fairly rich with a GDP per capita of $7,507 and a GNI per capita of $5,150 (its GNI is 83 times larger than the poorest country, Burundi). This is mainly due to its abundance of gas and oil reserves, which is responsible for a large portion of its total export earnings.

Not only that but Equatorial Guinea is also known for its fishing, farming, and forestry sectors, all of which contribute a significant amount to their GDP. Agriculture is also one of the country’s main sources of employment (it provides income for more than 50 percent of the workforce).

Despite its wealth of natural resources, however, there are many long-existing issues such as political instability, corruption, poverty, and inequality.

6. Botswana

Botswana is a landlocked country located in the center of Southern Africa; it is bordered by Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, and Namibia.

The sixth richest African country, it has a GDP per capita of $6,800, and a GNI per capita of $6,430. Thanks to its booming diamond industry, which has contributed a significant amount to its economic growth over the years, it has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

The tourism industry also accounts for nearly 12 percent of the country’s GDP. Some major tourist attractions include game reserves and national parks, most of which are known for their wetlands and abundant wildlife. In addition to that, half of the country’s population depends on livestock farming and subsistence crops such as cabbage, tomatoes, and onions.

That’s not all, the manufacturing sectors, which include textiles, beef processing, soap making, glass production, and jewelry making, also contribute to their GDP.

5. Morocco – $302.8 Billion

Morocco has the fifth largest economy in Africa, with a gross domestic product of $302.8 billion. As it is, most of their wealth comes from the service industry; this includes mining, manufacturing, and construction.

Not only that but they also rely on the export of phosphate, which is a vital ingredient in many products such as pesticides, fertilizers, and animal feeds (they have control of nearly two-thirds of the world’s phosphate reserves). If anything, this isn’t too surprising as many African nations use their natural resources to drive their economy.

That’s not all, they also mine fluorspar, barite, lead, and cobalt. Agriculture plays a significant role in their economy as well. Some of their leading exports include olives, oranges, and tomatoes.

While the Covid-19 pandemic pushed their economy into recession (they first since the early 90s), activity has picked up over the past year. In 2021, their GDP went up to 7.4% after dropping to 6.3% in 2020.

4. Algeria

Algeria has the fourth best-performing economy in Africa with a gross domestic product of $532.6 billion. They’re also the third largest oil producer in the nation and is a key supplier to Europe. Not only that but they also have one of the largest reserves of natural gas in the world. Together, they make up more than 97 percent of their total exports.

While their agricultural sector contributes approximately 8 percent of GDP, it’s unable to meet the food needs of the population. For this reason, many foods are imported. With that said, they do have primary crops of potatoes, barley, and wheat. Dates are also grown and exported to other countries.

In addition to that, the country is rich in minerals, particularly copper, lead, iron, mercury, antimony, and calamine. In 2019, they were also the largest producer of gypsum in the world. Other notable industries include the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, mechanical industry, and electronic industry.

3. South Africa

South Africa is third on our list with an overall GDP of $861.9 billion. Not only is their economy diversified, but they’re also one of the most technologically advanced and industrialized nations in Africa. For one thing, they’re leaders in the security, electronic banking services, and mobile software fields.

The mining sector, which consists of a mix of state-controlled and privately owned mines, is also a major driving force behind their economy. In 2019, they were the largest producer of chromium, magnesium, and platinum in the world. They also export coal, platinum, titanium, palladium, chromium, and kyanite, among many other materials.

Other exports include fruits, corn, wool, sugar, and diamonds. The manufacturing, banking, and wholesale sectors also contribute to the country’s GDP. In 2019 alone, the financial industry contributed more than $41 billion USD to South Africa’s GDP.

2. Nigeria

Nigeria has the second-largest economy with an overall GDP of $1.14 trillion. Not only are they the largest exporter of oil in Africa, but they also have the largest natural gas reserves. In 2021, they exported 17.2 million tons to the EU.

Their agricultural sector is impressive as well and accounts for nearly 20% of GDP. They currently rank sixth worldwide in farm output and are a major exporter of rice, citrus fruits, cocoa, yam, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cereals, and beans. Interestingly enough, however, it hasn’t been able to keep up with the country’s population growth. For that reason, they important many of its food products.

Their financial market is also the largest in Africa, as is their telecommunication sector, which contributed 12.5 percent to the country’s GDP. Currently, they rank eleventh in the world in terms of the number of internet users.

1. Egypt

Egypt is the richest country in Africa with a GDP of $1.38 trillion. While they used to have a highly centralized economy, it has started to become diversified in recent years.

As it is, the textiles and clothing industry makes up the majority of their exports. There are two reasons for this: their geographical proximity to the EU market and the fact that the production of clothing is a low-capital industry; it’s also a labor-intensive industry, which works well for Egypt as their population of 66 million provides a ready workforce.

While cotton used to be one of their primary exports, this is no longer the case. Nowadays, they’re a substantial producer of corn, fruit, sugarcane, vegetables, fodder, rice, and wheat. Citrus fruits, grapes, and dates are also cultivated and exported.

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Whether an accurate unit of measurement or not, a multitude of people around the world will end up defining their success through the money they’ve made throughout their lives. If not anything else, money is an easy unit of measurement to work with because it’s probably the only directly quantifiable measure of success there is.

Without further ado, here are the Top 10 Poorest Countries in the World.

10. Madagascar

Although this remains a list of the world’s poorest nations, some of the nations on this list are actually making progress in securing economic stability for themselves. Madagascar, unfortunately, is not one of these countries. Over the last 20 years, the standard of living within this island country has declined significantly.

With a population of more than 20 million people, Madagascar has a GDP per capita of $463.00, with about 70 percent of the nation’s people living under the poverty line. Once again reliant primarily on agriculture, the vulnerability of the industry, lack of potent farming land, and the growing population only make their economic situation worse and worse over time.

9. Liberia

The Second Liberian Civil war was a conflict within Liberia that lasted from 1999 all the way through 2003. A quick look at history will show that wars generally don’t leave involved nations economically intact as a result. Liberia is no exception to this.

Having just been subject to a 14-year-long political conflict that not only ravaged lands but also needed to make use of some of Liberia’s already finite resources, the nation was left economically crumbled by the civil war. It is also of no benefit that Liberia is, once again, primarily reliant on agriculture to drive its economy.

The GDP per capita of the war-torn nation stands at $454.30, and in 2010, it was estimated that more than 80 percent of the nation’s people were living less with less than $1.25 per day. With low yields due to old farming technologies, as well as having overall poor infrastructure, Libera only marks the halfway point down this list of the poorest countries in the world.

8. Malawi

Holding a population of 16 million while also being one of the smallest African nations doesn’t set you up for accumulation or distribution of wealth. Arguably the most underdeveloped nation in the world, Malawi suffers greatly in essentially all categories available.

Access to education, the general standard of healthcare, infrastructure, and quality of living conditions are all limited or substandard. Because the nation is unable to develop in general, they’re for all intents and purposes stuck with trying to drive their economy using only the most primitive levels of agriculture.

With common weather variations, as well as injuries and fatalities facilitated by poor health care, Malawi’s world’s lowest GDP per capita of $226.50 doesn’t seem like it will be rising too significantly any time soon.

7. Niger

Aside from being one of the world’s poorest, Niger stands as one of the world’s most underdeveloped nations across several categories. Although it continues to make developments in reducing infant mortality, and enhancing education, the development category of poverty has unfortunately remained rather stagnant, keeping the nation’s GDP per capita at $415.40.

Niger’s economy is driven by two main forces: the extraction of valuable natural resources available within the nation (including gold, uranium, and even oil), and small-scale agriculture. Unfortunately, both of these economic sources can easily be devastated by random shifts in climate and weather, and thus Niger has struggled in developing themselves economically.

6. Mozambique

Mozambique has plenty of arable land and water. Not only that, but it has plenty of energy and mineral resources. Despite that, it’s one of the poorest countries in the world, with the majority of the population living well below the poverty line. As it is, there are several reasons for this including corruption, severe climate conditions, and political instability.

In 2020, a French company secured nearly $16 billion in funding for a natural gas facility in the area. Many had hoped that the project would mark the start of a new beginning for the former Portuguese colony, but the project was ultimately suspended indefinitely after an escalation of violent attacks in the region.

5. The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Directly juxtaposing the previous entry in the list, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s second-largest country, holding a staggering population of roughly 77 million people.

A large population isn’t always a good thing, however, as (especially in poorer nations) this just means there is less money to go around. What is even more intriguing about this case, however, is the fact that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is actually very rich in valuable natural resources.

Similarly, the land expands over 2.35 million square kilometers, much of which is forests, although it also holds a great expanse of farmable lands and waters. In spite of all of these things, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been subject to a very unstable, corrupt political system that has been holding back the potential of the nation’s wealth drastically. As a result of this, with a GDP per capita of $484.20, a large portion of the nation’s people remain unemployed, and their lack of money thus results in their living within greatly inadequate living conditions.

4. The Central African Republic

Like Liberia, the Central African Republic has in the past been the victim of war and
significant political instability. The landlocked central African nation also supports very, very poor infrastructure, thus limiting the efficiency of the distribution of the nation’s resources.

Furthermore, this nation also shares similarities with most other African nations in that its economy is mostly directed by agriculture, although an estimated 45 percent of the Central African Republic’s export revenues are from diamonds.

However, because of the poor infrastructure and governance that the nation has to deal with, only about 4 percent of the actual arable land that the nation holds is actually used. As a result, the majority of the working population that works within the industry suffers immensely, holding the nation to a GDP per capita of $333.20.

3. Somalia

Decades of droughts and floods coupled with massive levels of unemployment, especially among young people, have made Somalia one of the world’s poorest nations. According to UNDP statistics, the country has a poverty rate of 73%.

Their GDP was projected to grow over 3% in 2020, but it was ultimately interrupted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the World Bank states that the country could have a brighter future. For one thing, the Somali government has pledged its commitment to charting a course toward better growth and resilience.

2. South Sudan

South Sudan is the youngest country in the world. Once part of Sudan, they had separated to form a separate nation in 2011. Just two years later, however, a conflict broke out after the president accused his former deputy of staging a coup. As a result, nearly 400,000 people were killed.

What’s interesting, is that the country also ranks third in oil reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rising security-related costs and falling commodity prices, however, have hammered the economy. Violence has also continued to ravage the land-locked state. In fact, it often prevents farmers from harvesting or planting crops.

1. Burundi

Having suffered from recurring violence and political disputes, it is no surprise that Burundi ranks as the second poorest nation in the world, even though the country is working tirelessly to rebuild itself. Aside from the estimated 300,000 civilian casualties resulting in a 67 percent poverty rate, the violent political rivalries were also detrimental to Burundi’s agricultural development.

Even now, the nation ravaged by war holds very little farmable land, and any land that may be used for small-scale farming is still fragile due to the vulnerability to shifting climates and weather conditions. With the population growing rapidly, food prices rising, and a GDP per capita of $267.10, Burundi places as the second poorest country in the world.

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One of the most common accusations that the NBA faces is that NBA officials are told (and presumably paid) to sway the outcome of a game. Sometimes, it’s said that this is because a win for the more popular team will boost ratings for the game. Other times, people claim that the NBA deliberately tries to extend the length of a seven-game series as much as possible, so as to be able to make more money from the series. Considering how much athletes are paid, it’s easy to see why some may believe this to be the case. Extending beyond just basketball, these organizations make a lot of money, thus being able to pay their athletes quite a considerable amount as well. Treating these sports leagues as businesses, the athletes essentially drive viewership, thereby being a key money-making factor for the organizations themselves.

Top 5 Highest Paying Sports in 2026 – Updated List

However, not all sports quite share the same level of audience attraction. Thus, and while other factors certainly come into play, it makes sense that some athletes for some sports are paid more than others. With that being said, here are the Top 5 Highest Paying Sports.

5 – American Football

To begin the list is American Football and its most popular parent organization, the National Football League (NFL).

In the United States, American Football viewership statistics are something to certainly be desired, definitely showcasing the popularity of the sport. For example, the top 12 shows of the Fall 2012 season, according to ratings and viewership statistics, were all games put on by the NFL. The average viewership of the National Broadcasting Company’s (NBC) Sunday Night Football alone is at a whopping 23.7 million viewers. To put this into perspective, NBC’s hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory achieved an average viewership of 19.96 million at its peak.

This isn’t even taking into account pro football’s largest event of the year, the Superbowl, which breaks viewership records year after year. In fact, millions around the world tune in simply to watch the event-specific commercials, and the extravagant halftime shows, featuring the most popular entertainers. With the kind of following American Football has, it’s no wonder why their athletes are said to be paid an average salary of $1.9 million.

4 – Golf

This list is in many ways difficult to construct. When comparing how much each sport pays, its important to remember that each sport, and it’s given parent organizations, all operate differently.

Golf is one of the sports that exemplifies this perfectly, as how much money a player makes is largely dependent on which and how many tournaments he or she may win. This system differs from American Football, for example, as NFL teams are guaranteed to play a certain number of games throughout the regular season, how much a given player may earn isn’t technically on a per-win basis.

However, this doesn’t change the fact that Professional Golfer’s Association (PGA) tour golfers end up earning millions of dollars. Famed golfer Tiger Woods, for example, holds the record for being the highest-paid athlete on the annual Forbes list eleven times. On the current 2016 PGA tour money list, all of the top 23 golfers have earned more than $2 million so far, with Jason Day being at the top of the list with roughly $5.6 million in earnings.

3 – Auto Racing

Once again on the list is a sport that pays on a per-win basis, Auto Racing. It’s no secret that this sport in particular is one of high risk.

Even in daily life, many are scared to ever get into a car accident, even considering that the average speed one travels in their car on a typical day isn’t really that high. For race car drivers however, the stakes are much higher. Driving at hundreds of miles per hour, the slightest mishandle of the vehicle could mean certain death not only for the diver himself but also for the drivers he may be competing against. With that being said, the risks of the sport are offset by the amount of prize money that comes with winning a headlined race. In 2013 for example, team Red Bull finished in 1st place, earning a total of $101.5 million for the season. Even the team who finished 8th, Toro Rosso, walked away from the season having pocketed a total of $56 million.

2 – Boxing

Once again offsetting the sport’s danger, this time the risk being potentially beating your opponent to death, boxing likewise has a reputation for paying its athlete’s large sums of money.

Sometimes, even the loser of the fight walks away with more money than the average athlete in one of this list’s prior entries. While earning money from winning or losing fights directly, the boxers also receive money from pay-per-view earnings, which typically fluctuate with how high-profile the fighters are. Perhaps the most notorious example in the sport would be Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr, who recently retired with a perfect 49 – 0 record throughout his career. In 2015, Floyd finished on top of Forbes’s annual list of highest-paid athletes. Throughout his career, Floyd has accumulated of $700 million in earnings, and he continues to make millions even now that he’s retired. Whether you like him or not, Floyd Mayweather Jr. perfectly shows why Boxing finishes second on this list of highest-paying sports.

1 – Basketball

Basketball is the world’s highest-paid sport. What’s the average salary for an NBA player? Around $7.5 million, They don’t just get paid for their games either, they also earn a huge amount from sponsorships. Take LeBron James, for example, he earns $70 million from endorsements alone. Other highly-paid NBA stars include Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Klay Thompson.

And NBA referees get paid a fair amount as well. Not as much as the players themselves, but still a considerable amount—around the $200,000 a year mark. Of course, that’s just the average. Some veteran referees earn way more than that. Take James Capers, for example, he earns upward of $550,000 a year and that’s not including the extra fees he receives for calling individual matches.

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There are quite a few factors that come into play when it comes to being drafted into the NBA. For one, NBA caliber players need to be born with an almost perfect set of genes for a basketball player. Being naturally tall, broad-shouldered, having large hands, and boasting a long wingspan are all typically instrumental if one wishes to compete in the NBA. Four time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, for example, is one who many believe was blessed with the perfect NBA body. He stands at 6 foot 8, weighing roughly 260 pounds. Even then, being born with the right frame is just the beginning of a long, grueling journey to being drafted.

For Hasheem, drafted 2nd overall in 2009, the trials and tribulations in his basketball career didn’t end after he was drafted. In fact, the average basketball fan may have never heard of him, and admittedly this isn’t surprising. From being drafted as a potential superstar pick, to jumping around from one team to another, to his various stints in the NBA Development League, what happened to Hasheem Thabeet?

Early Life and Journey to the NBA

Hasheem Thabeet was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 16, 1987. Unlike most NBA players, Hasheem didn’t actually start playing basketball until he was 15 years old. Hasheem has before noted that he didn’t start playing earlier as he was shy, the shyness being caused by insecurities he held concerning his height. However, upon starting to play the game more and more, he very quickly grew a love for the sport.
Before long, Hasheem was recruited to play basketball in the United States, attending high school at Cypress Christian School in Texas. From there he was scouted and recruited to play for the University of Connecticut, a school with a prestigious division 1 basketball program, which at the time had two NCAA tournament championships under its belt. As a freshman, Hasheem averaged a modest 6.2 points, but with an impressive 3.8 blocks per game. Standing at 7 feet 3 inches tall (the tallest player to ever have played for the University of Connecticut Huskies), Hasheem possessed a natural ability to block shots, and established himself as a dominant rim protector throughout his college basketball career. Choosing not to declare for the NBA draft after his freshman year, his successes only increased as he saw more minutes on the floor. In his junior year, and his final as a husky, Hasheem averaged a double-double of 13.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. During this season of great success, he was also named National Defensive Player of the Year and led his team to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. Finally imposing himself as a dominant player and a top NBA prospect, Thabeet declared for the NBA draft in April of 2009.   

NBA Draft and Start of League Shortcomings

The 2009 draft was one that ended up producing several players who would turn into stars within the league. For example, this draft included the likes of two-time NBA All-Star DeMar Derozan, four-time NBA All-Star and former Sixth Man of the Year James Harden, and even two-time NBA (and first ever unanimous) MVP Stephen Curry. Needless to say, this draft carried with it a load of star power. Hasheem, already projected to be a top five pick in the draft, was taken second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. No doubt sought after because of his size and shot blocking prowess, scouts, coaches, and fans held high hopes for Hasheem. Little did they know, being selected that early in the draft would probably be the highest point in this NBA career.

Hasheem’s start as a member of the Grizzlies was disappointing, to say the least. So much so, that less than half way through the season, he was re-assigned to the Dakota Wizards (now Santa-Cruz Warriors) of the NBA Development League. Although he averaged 13.8 points and 11.2 rebounds throughout his time with the Wizards, his game would never translate as well into the NBA.

What’s Hasheem Thabeet Doing Now in 2018? – Recent Updates

Since Hasheem’s underwhelming season as a Grizzly, he has since bounced around between several teams in the league, as well has several teams within the NBA D-League. In February of 2011, Hasheem was traded to the Houston Rockets. In spite of his efforts, he was once again assigned to the D-League, this time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Hasheem’s arguably most successful season in the NBA was during his time with the Oklahoma CIty Thunder. It was with this team where he recorded a career high 13 points in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Having played for a total of 6 NBA teams throughout his career so far, averaging only 10.5 minutes per game, Hasheem last played for the Grand Rapids Drive of the D-League. Throughout his 49 game season for the team, he averaged only 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds.

Perhaps the most notable part of Hasheem’s story is not that he seemed to fail to meet every expectation held for him, but rather how his struggles within the league truly highlight the drive, determination, devotion to the game that it takes to be a professional basketball player. It is undoubtedly very difficult to make it to the NBA. Statistically, in fact, less than 0.04 percent of high school players will ever be drafted. However, even once one has secured a coveted NBA contract, there’s no room for complacency in the league. It took the world to make it to the top, and it’s going to take that, twice over, to stay there. Instead of a figure of failure and unrealized potential, Hasheem should be an example displaying the work ethic and desire needed to realize one’s dreams and aspirations. Even now, when the odds are still stacked against him, Hasheem hasn’t given up.  

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Brad Pitt has it all. For starters, he’s devilishly good looking, and that’s probably still selling it short. Born with a charm so legendary within pop culture, it’s almost as if this man was born in the image of Zeus himself. He’s also married to Angelina Jolie, which is a whole different level of success entirely. At the root of it all though, Brad Pitt is an actor. That’s what people know him for. Amassing a net worth of $240 million throughout his career, Brad Pitt is worth more than many others in his field. With that being said, what sets Brad Pitt apart from others? How did he amass this fortune over the span of his very successful career?

Brad Pitt Net Worth – $240 Million

How did Brad Pitt Accumulate His Wealth?

Acting Career

William Bradley “Brad” Pitt was born on the 18th of December, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Taking his early life as an example, it was very evident that Brad would grow up to be a talented individual. During his time at Kickapoo High School, Brad delved into a very broad range of activities. On the athletic side, he was a member of the swimming team, the golf team, and the tennis team. He also, however, satisfied any creative and academic desires through his participation in the school’s forensics club, school debates, and participating in school musicals. After high school, Brad attended the University of Missouri, intending to major in journalism and advertising. As he made further progress into his degree however, he began to truly discover his passion for film and acting, and opted to drop out to pursue these very passions. Dropping out of college a mere two weeks before graduation, Pitt decided to move to Los Angeles to take acting lessons and be at the center of film culture. Needless to say, this would turn out to be a pretty good call.

While success would with no doubt come at a later date for Pitt, his acting career took off to a rather rocky start. In the 1994 romantic horror film Interview with the Vampire, Pitt had the support of a star studded cast behind him. Featuring talents like Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, and Antonio Banderas, it’s no wonder that the movie was generally met with positive reviews. Pitt’s performance, however, was not met with quite the same positivity from critics. Regardless, his role in the film would bring him two MTV movie awards, and would mark the beginning of a road of acting successes.

Following the success of Interview with the Vampire, Pitt starred in the 1994 epic drama film Legends of the Fall. During the four day weekend that comprised the film’s wide release, it reached number one in the US box office, grossing a total of $14 million. The film would then go on to earn a box office total of over $160 million. Contrasting Interview with the Vampire, Legends of the Fall was actually met with mixed critical responses. Pitt’s performance, however, was praised. So much so, that he would receive his first nomination for a Golden Globe Award for his role.

Hollywood Successes

In essence, these two performances encapsulate the entirety of Pitt’s career as an actor. Throughout the years, Pitt has taken part in a variety of films that became either box office successes, received critical acclaim, or in a lot of cases, both. For example, Pitt starred in the 1999 film Fight Club, one of the films for which he is most known. Although the film was somewhat of a box office disappointment, and mixed critical reviews, Pitt’s performance as Tyler Durden was praised enormously. The movie has since become a cult classic, and is known to arguably one of the best films Pitt has played a role in. Thus, because of his popularity, it’s quite easy to see how his films have amassed him his multi hundred million dollar fortune. The release of 2001’s heist film Ocean’s Eleven, featured some of Hollywood’s highest profile actors. George Clooney, Matt Damon, from the casting stage the movie was destined to be filled with ungodly amounts of charm and male bravado. The movie on its own would continue to make over $450 million in the box office. In addition, the film would spawn a trilogy, and while Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen wouldn’t reach quite the same level of box office success, they would still each go on to easily cash in for over $300 million. With his career filled with other box office hits such as Inglorious Basterds, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Brad Pitt has cruised his way to the big bucks, and deservedly so.

Brad Pitt’s Personal Life and FAQ’s

Is Brad Pitt Married?

It’s appropriate that such a high profile personality has an equally poised and respected individual as his wife. In 1998, Brad Pitt married actress of NBC’s hit situational comedy, Friends, Jennifer Aniston. However, in early 2005 the couple decided to separate, ultimately getting divorced later that same year. It wasn’t before long until Pitt began dating his Mr. and Mrs. Smith co-star, actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie. Dubbed as “Brangelina,” this Hollywood power couple took the world by storm, dating until 2014 when they finally married during a private ceremony.

Does Brad Pitt Have Kids?

Brad Pitt and his wife Angelina Jolie have six children, three of which were adopted from third world nations. Their first child, Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt was actually adopted by Jolie in early 2002, and Pitt later adopted him in early 2006. Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt was adopted by the couple in 2006, followed by Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt in 2007. Angelina gave birth to her first child, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt on the 27th of May, 2006. Two years later, the couple had twins, Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt, who were born on the 12th of July, 2008.

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One thing is for sure though: with fame, comes money. Lots of it. Her widespread media and business ventures have only done her favours when it comes to building her wealth. You see her everywhere you look, and you can definitely rest assured knowing that everything with her face or name on it, just makes her that much wealthier.

Kim Kardashian Net Worth – $85 Million

How did Kim Kardashian Get Rich & Famous?

Sex Tape and Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

Kimberly Noel Kardashian (now Kimberly Kardashian West) was born on October 21, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. Throughout her early life, Kim began stepping foot into the Hollywood socialite scene. Her first tastes of media exposure, for example, came from her close friendship with icon Paris Hilton. Although, the beginning of her true burst into stardom was arguably a result of her relationship with singer/songwriter William Ray Norwood Jr, otherwise known as Ray J.

In early 2007, a sex tape of the couple was leaked and spread rapidly. Vivid Entertainment, an American pornographic film production company, distributed the tape, and Kardashian soon pressed charges. Although still insistent on her embarrassment, and her disapproval of this violation of privacy, the leak of Kardashian’s sex tape proved to be rather beneficial for her career. In fact, many argue that it was this event alone that catalyzed her rise to fame. For one, the lawsuit was dropped, as Kardashian settled with the company for $5 million. In addition to this, the event garnered widespread media attention, giving Kim a constant place in the Hollywood spotlight.

Later that same year, Kim and the rest of her family began starring in the reality television series, Keeping up with the Kardashians. The reality series was, to put it simply, an instant hit. To this day, the reality show has developed a very large and dedicated fanbase. As of March of 2015, the show is the most-viewed show on the E! Network, at its peak reaching viewership of up to 4.8 million viewers. The success of the show was so impactful, that several spin-offs were soon created to follow the family’s different ventures. Kourtney and Kim Take New York, for example follows Kim and her sister Kourtney and their ventures around New York City. This spin-off, and the others like it that were created, only furthered Kim’s and the Kardashian’s successes.

Acting Career and Other Business Ventures

Since the success of Keeping up with the Kardashians, the Kim Kardashian name has grown tremendously as a brand of its own. Kim has broadened her ventures, transcending a multitude of different industries. As an actress, Kim has had several guest roles on television shows including CSI: NY, How I Met Your Mother, and Last Man Standing. She is also no stranger to the big screen, having played roles in movies including 2009 romantic comedy Deep in the Valley, and the 2008 spoof film, Disaster Movie.

As a businesswoman, Kim has built her wealth through her endorsements, and products of her own branding, including her famed line of fragrances and clothing boutiques. Her signature perfume line on its own, consisting of the fragrances “Gold,” “Fleur Fatale,” “Glam,” “Kim Kardashian,” “Kim Kardashian Love,” “True Reflection,” and “Pure Honey,” nets her an estimated annual income of up to half a million dollars. Similarly, the “DASH” clothing and accessories boutique typically makes upwards of $4.5 million. With these under her belt, along with her more than 20 other endorsements, it’s no wonder why this Kardashian is one that’s so hard to keep up with.

Kim Kardashian’s Personal Life & FAQ’s:

Is Kim Kardashian Married?

Kim Kardashian holds notoriety for several reasons, one of which being the history of her romantic life. Having been married a total of three times, her longest marriage so far was her first. At the age of 19, Kim eloped with Damon Thomas, an American R&B and pop producer. In 2003, four years after the marriage, her husband filed for divorce, with Kim citing irreconcilable emotional conflicts to be one of the main causes. Her next marriage was in 2011, with NBA player Kris Humphries. Their engagement received mass media attention, with the wedding even being portrayed throughout a two-part special of Kim’s reality show. The marriage itself however, lasted a total of 72 days. In 2014, she married American rapper Kanye West, and the couple have been together as one of pop-culture’s high-profile power couples.

Does Kim Kardashian Have Kids?

On June 15, 2013, Kim Kardashian gave birth to her first child, a daughter the couple decided to name North West. North very quickly became a member of high-profile society like her parents, having made her modelling debut under German fashion designer, artist, and photographer, Karl Lagerfeld, when she was just a toddler. Kim and Kanye’s son and second child, Saint West, was born two years later on December 5, 2015.

Where does Kim Kardashian Live?

For a long time, Kim and Kanye lived in the home of Kris Jenner, Kim’s mother. This was due to the need for extensive renovations in a property the couple had bought earlier in 2013. The property being renovated was a Bel-Air property that they had purchased for roughly $11 million. However, even after sinking millions into the home, the couple has since moved into a another estate worth $20 million, in Hidden Hills, California. The three-acre property is built to satisfy the couple’s every need and desire, with several pools, two spas, and even a vineyard among other things.

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Boxing isn’t nearly as violent, and there isn’t usually quite the same level of savagery you’d expect from a fight between two gladiators. However, some of the same basic principles still apply in the ring as they did in the coliseum. In fact, because of the ability of television to spread media, boxing matches attract the viewership of millions all over the world. While they may not be fighting with the same stakes as Russel was in the movie, it’s no secret professional boxers receive unbelievable compensation for their fights. In fact, some boxers (even the retired ones) go on to become some of the wealthiest athletes all over the world. To showcase this, here are the top 5 richest boxers in the world.

5.) Lennox Lewis (Net Worth of $140 Million)

Although numerous other factors come into play, the core principle of getting paid in professional boxing is quite simple: if you win, you make more money. Lennox “The Lion” Lewis, was definitely no stranger to winning. Hailed as the last undisputed heavyweight champion, Lewis fought a total of 44 bouts throughout his professional boxing career. Of those 44 bouts, Lewis won 41 of them, having lost only 2 fights with 1 draw. Having won against the likes of other legendary fighters like Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, and Vitali Klitschko, Lewis’ career winnings are the core source of his $140 million net worth.

4.) Oscar De La Hoya (Net Worth of $200 Million)

Dubbed as “The Golden Boy,” Oscar De La Hoya ranks next on this list of the world’s wealthiest boxers. De La Hoya is the first example on this list of how the profile of a fighter somewhat affects how much he ends up taking home from a fight at the end of the day. Lennox Lewis had 4 fewer losses than De La Hoya, who throughout his career had been defeated a total of 6 times out of his 45 bouts. WIth that being said, this didn’t stop De La Hoya from pulling absolutely incredible pay-per-view numbers, amassing over $700 million from those numbers throughout his career. Now currently acting as founder and director of Golden Boy Promotions, the sports promotion company he started while he was still an active boxer, De La Hoya remains one of the wealthiest boxers to have ever stepped into the ring.

3.)  Manny Pacquiao (Net Worth of $200 Million)

For a long time, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao was considered by many to be the #1 pound for pound boxer in the world, and deservedly so. From the beginning of this career, Manny took the professional boxing world by storm, absolutely decimating opponents left and right. To this day, he is the only fighter to have ever won titles in seven different weight classes. During his time, it is estimated that his career earnings alone have cashed in for over $400 million, which puts into perspective how he has amassed such a fortune as a professional boxer. However, as is appropriate for someone with such diversity in the ring, Manny proves to be just as diverse in his endeavors out of it. In the Philippines, Manny was just recently elected to Senator, after having served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016. He has also tried his efforts in starting a singing career, as well as serving as a playing coach in the Philippine Basketball League. Manny Pacquiao seemingly does everything, and with a name and career as valuable as his, it should be of no surprise that he ranks this high on a list of the world’s wealthiest boxers.  

2.) George Foreman (Net Worth of $250 Million)

A two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, George “Big George” Foreman might be the only boxer on this list who has amassed more wealth from his work out of the ring, than his bouts in it. This isn’t to say however, that Foreman didn’t have a legendary boxing career, as he most certainly did. His retirement in 1997 left him with a record of 76 wins and only 5 career losses. He is also in the record books for being the oldest heavyweight champion in the history of the sport, having regained it at the age of 45, following a brief retirement period. Since then, he has been inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame for his marvelous career achievements.

However, George Foreman stands out as much more than just a boxer. Foreman is also a best-selling author, ordained Christian minister, and entrepreneur. His most well-known, and likely his most successful business venture outside of the ring would probably be the George Foreman Grill. Fully titled the “George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine,” Foreman did not actually create nor distribute the grills. Rather, the grill was later promoted by George after it had already been created. Having sold over 100 million units since its release, it’s unknown exactly how much George has cumulatively made from these sales. He did, however, earn $138 million in 1999 after selling the rights to use his name on the grill. Currently sitting on a net worth of roughly $250 million, George Foreman ranks as the second wealthiest boxer in the world.

1.) Floyd Mayweather Jr. (Net Worth of $400 Million)

If anyone should serve as an example of the potential wealth that can be garnered by professional boxers, it’s Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. Having accumulated a net worth of roughly $400 million throughout his professional boxing career, not only is he easily the wealthiest boxer, but he also stands as one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. Floyd has, for all intents and purposes, been unmatched throughout his career as a professional boxer, having retired undefeated throughout 49 career fights. Time and time again he’s proved that he was the best of his time, and he certainly has the earnings to back it up. The much-anticipated fight between Floyd and Manny Pacquiao alone, for example, led Floyd to take home an estimated total of $220 million. This trend of big money fights was apparent throughout the entirety of his career, generating him over $1 billion in pay-per-view revenue. Weather you like him or not, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has solidified his place as one of the greatest boxers to have ever lived, and with his greatness came the figures that undoubtedly justify his nickname, “Money Mayweather.”

These men may not exactly be gladiators, but that doesn’t change the fact that they risk their lives every time they step into the ring. Ultimately, these athletes do it not only for themselves, but also for (as iconic ring announcer Michael Buffer puts it) the thousands in attendance and the millions watching at home. These boxers, without a shred of doubt, become this wealthy for very good reason.

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Hailed as one of the top athletes that has ever lived, Michael Phelps certainly defines what it means to truly be great. Phelps is best known for his competition swimming, through which he became the most decorated Olympian of all time, collecting 22 medals so far throughout his career. For a long time, it was almost as if Michael Phelps could do no wrong. Winning medal after medal, absolutely decimating world records, Phelps earned a place among the greatest of all time. However, after the 2012 London Olympics, Michael suddenly decided to retire from the sport. Just like that, this icon of greatness and success had disappeared, and the world seemed to move on. So the question now stands, what exactly happened to Michael Phelps? With the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro fast approaching, many will be wondering whether the most decorated Olympian of all time will make a return to compete, just one more time.

Early Life and Rise to Prominence

Michael Fred Phelps II was born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland. Like many top-tier athletes, Phelps started at a very young age, starting swimming at the age of 7. Many wonder if people are born great, or if greatness is something that is worked upon over time. Well, for Michael, his natural prowess in the sport was apparent almost immediately. Phelps set his first national record by the age of 10, and only 5 years later, he qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney. Although he did not win a medal, he did finish an impressive 5th place among a slew of older, more experienced competitors. Phelps though, would only continue to improve. At the age of 15 years and 9 months, Michael became the youngest male ever to set a world record in competitive swimming during the trials for the 2001 World Aquatics Championships.

Olympic Dominance and Retirement

The 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens marked the beginning of what would develop into Phelps’ Olympic ascendancy. Phelps was signed on for 8 events, and went on to make a tremendous impact in each of them. Out of the 8 events he competed in, Michael won gold medals in 6 of them, and finished with bronze medals for the other two. The only event that Michael participated in that did not result in his breaking a record was the 4x100m freestyle event. Absolutely dominating the competition, Michael set Olympic records in the 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, and 200m medley, while setting world records in the 400m medley and the 4x100m medley. Behind fellow swimmer Mark Spitz, Michael’s 6 gold and 2 bronze medals resulted in the second-best performance ever at a single Olympic games.

Although the Athens Olympics proved to be monumental for Phelps, the arguable highlight of his career came with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Once again, Phelps was signed up for 8 events, although this time, Phelps performed magnificently in all of them. Phelps won gold in each of the events he participated in, as well as setting world records for 7 out of 8 of the events. In the 100m butterfly, although a world record wasn’t set, Michael quite convincingly set an Olympic record with his time. This time around, Phelps did not leave Mark Spitz’s record unbroken, as his 8 gold medals signified that he had achieved the best performance at a single Olympic Games. His performance was so astonishing, in fact, that rumors began circulating that Phelps may have been using performance-enhancing drugs. Michael simply shrugged this off however, and passed all of the drug tests that were later administered to him.

On July 28, 2012, Michael began his first event in what he remarked would likely be his last Olympics. Thus, the 2012 Olympic Games in London was anticipated by many to perhaps be the stage where Michael would perform at his best. Although still impressive, his performance was nowhere near the calibre of the one he produced four years earlier in Beijing. Participating in only 6 events, Michael finished with 4 gold medals and 2 silver medals, not breaking any records along the way. Regardless, his finish in this Olympics still held great significance, as it was after this Olympics when he was officially recognized as the most decorated Olympic athlete to have ever lived.

What’s Michael Phelps Doing Now in 2018 – Recent Updates

Thankfully, Michael Phelps’ retirement was short-lived, as Phelps came out of retirement in April of 2014. Eager to continue his reign as arguably the greatest swimmer in the world, Phelps soon began training. A month after announcing his return, Phelps won the 100m butterfly at the Arena Grand Prix that took place in Charlotte, North Carolina. The following year, Phelps also competed in the 2015 United States Nationals competition, where he won gold in the 200m butterfly, 100m butterfly, and the 200m individual medley. Michael has also expressed a very clear interest in participating in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, although he is also insisted that the Olympics will be his last.

Regardless of how he may perform in the 2016 games, Michael Phelps has already more than justified his association with the term “greatness.” Admittedly, there are very few people who are ever going to be able to do what Michael Phelps has done throughout his career so far. However, this is not to say that greatness can only be achieved at this level, but rather that there needs to be something that definitely places one above and beyond the competitors in their field. Everyone can be great, but not everyone will be. Those who have achieved greatness have worked tirelessly to do what they do at the highest level. If the word continues to be used too nonchalantly, we may fail to appreciate true “greatness,” whenever and wherever we might witness it unfold. 

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50 Cent Net Worth – $150 Million

How did 50 Cent Accumulate his Wealth?

Music Career

Born Curtis James Jackson III, 50 Cent was born on July 6, 1975, in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York. Having to adjust to a life in a tough neighborhood, much of 50 Cent’s early life was spent not in a music studio, but boxing in a nearby gym. It actually wasn’t until the late 1990’s when he began rapping, starting out in a friend’s basement using his equipment to record beats and demos. Within only a few years, many began to take notice of 50 Cent’s natural prowess as a producer and a rapper, attracting the attention of high-profile personalities of the Hip-Hop world including Nas, Jay-Z, D`MX, and Wu-Tang Clan.

Eminem in particular was impressed by 50 Cent’s 2002 mixtape Guess Who’s Back?, prompting him to introduce 50 Cent to well renowned producer Dr. Dre. The 1 million dollar record deal that then came about, led to the release of his still heavily praised debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’. This release was arguably the moment that truly escalated 50 Cent’s rise to fame within the music industry, and thus began the accumulation of the bulk of his earnings. As a rapper, 50 Cent would go on to produce a total 5 studio albums, generating over 35 million album sales, and still continues to produce and make music to this day.

Acting Career and Other Business Ventures

Much of his income however, doesn’t just stem from his successes within the music industry. Like many artists, 50 Cent transcended beyond the music industry and worked to leave his mark in all other ventures he decided to pursue. In 2005, 50 Cent starred in his first major role in the film Get Rich or Die Tryin’, marking the beginning of his career as an actor. His filmography has since expanded dramatically, including roles in the 2015 boxing flick Southpaw, and the 2013 action-thriller Escape Plan, each amassing over $90 million and $137 million in the box office respectively.

50 Cent has also shown great successes as a multifaceted businessman, boxing promoter, and investor. Throughout his career as a businessman, he has made countless business decisions that have proved immensely profitable for him. For example, 50 Cent partnered with beverage company Glacéau, receiving a minority share after the company learned that he was quite fond of their product, Vitaminwater. Later in 2007, the Coca-Cola Company would go on to purchase Glacéau for an astonishing $4.1 billion, which in turn netted 50 Cent a resultant $100 million.

Given all of these successes that spanned the entirety of his career, it isn’t surprising that 50 Cent has amassed such a fortune over time. With his level of wealth, 50 Cent has consistently and undoubtedly inserted himself as a member of Hip-Hop’s richest personalities.

50 Cent’s Personal Life & FAQ’s:

Is 50 Cent Married?

 50 Cent is known been romantically linked to several women, namely: Shaniqua Tompkins, Daphne Joy, actress Vivica A. Fox, singer Ciara, and comedian Chelsea Handler. Although, in spite of the various relationships he has held throughout his life, 50 Cent is not known to have ever been engaged to one of his romantic links.

Does 50 Cent Have Kids?

50 Cent has two children, named Marquise and Sire Jackson. Marquise was born to mother Shaniqua Tompkins on October 13, 1996. Marquise’s birth is said to have dramatically shifted 50 Cent’s life, encouraging him to be the father that he wished his own father was, for him. Despite this, and their initially close relationship, 50 Cent and Marquise’s relationship has infamously been an unhealthy one, having been known to verbally assault one another through texts and social media. 50 Cent’s relationship with his second son, however, has generally been closer and more peaceful. Sire Jackson was born to 50 Cent’s ex girlfriend Daphne Joy on September 1, 2012.

Where did the nickname “50 Cent” come from?

Having lived in a tough neighborhood throughout his early life, Curtis often found himself getting into trouble. While his grandparents thought he was participating in his school’s after-school activities programs, he was typically really dealing drugs on the street. After police searched his home and found heroin, cocaine, and a pistol, Curtis was arrested and sentenced to three to nine years in prison. He ended up, however, serving six months in a correctional camp and earned his General Education Development certificate. Having turned his life around, it is said that Curtis adopted the name “50 Cent” as an homage to 1980’s criminal Kelvin Martin, who had originally held the nickname. Martin, who was known for his willingness to rob anyone, appealed to Curtis, who felt that he shared a similar drive to create a better situation himself by any means necessary.

50 Cent’s file for Bankruptcy

In June of 2015, 50 Cent filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, much to the interest of the public and media. According to court documents, 50 Cent’s assets were worth somewhere between $10 and $50 million, although he claims to hold debt of a similar quantity. Officially, 50 Cent filed for bankruptcy claiming assets worth only $16 million.

However, the state of 50 Cent’s fortune has been, especially recently, the subject of much speculation. After a follow-up appraisal, it was suggested that 50 Cent actually holds assets totaling more than $64 million, with debt totaling to be less than half of that amount. Furthermore, it is said that his monthly income is still well over $180,000, and regardless of his supposed bankruptcy, he continues to show off his lavish lifestyle on his various social media accounts.

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