These Are Some of the Richest Female Athletes of All Time
Even though men dominate the list of the richest athletes of all time, plenty of women make millions of dollars by playing sports. Some of America’s most popular female athletes are also among the highest-paid women in the world. The sports world has been kind to the richest female athletes we’re about to meet. You probably know most of these athletes, but the one at No. 3 might shock you.
16. Chris Evert (TIE)
Net worth: $16 million
Sport: Tennis
During her prime, Chris Evert was half of one of the classic tennis rivalries. Now she’s one of the richest female athletes ever. She turned pro when the prize money was more modest, but she earned close to $9 million from 154 career wins.
Next: The highlights show why she’s worth so much.
16. Ana Ivanovic (TIE)
Net worth: $16 million
Sport: Tennis
Take a quick look at the highlights of Ana Ivanovic’s 14-year professional tennis career, and it’s easy to see how she’s worth a fortune:
- She won 15 World Tennis Association tournament singles titles.
- Ivanovic won the French Open in 2008.
- She was the first Serbian player to earn the WTA No. 1 ranking.
Endorsement deals with Rolex, Adidas, and other brands keep the money coming in for Ivanovic.
Next: A unique resume for this woman.
16. Michelle Kwan (TIE)
Net worth: $16 million
Sport: Figure skating
One of America’s favorite winter Olympians who won medals in 1998 and 2002 earned lots of prize money during her career, but she makes her money other ways now. In addition to several endorsement deals, she served in a diplomatic starting in 2006 until she worked on Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016.
Next: A gold medalist and a professional champion.
14. Lindsay Davenport (TIE)
Net worth: $20 million
Sport: Tennis
Lindsay Davenport won an Olympic gold medal in 1996, and that was just the start of her success. She won three grand slam titles — the Australian Open, U.S. Open, and Wimbledon — as part of her 55 World Tennis Association wins. Davenport banked more than $22 million in prize money during he pro career.
Next: One of the best to play the game.
14. Monica Seles (TIE)
Net worth: $20 million
Sport: Tennis
An unfortunate on-court stabbing severely affected her career, but Monica Seles is still one of the top women’s tennis players ever. The nine-time grand slam tournament champion won another 44 times on tour and earned close to $15 million in prize money, to say nothing of her many endorsements at the height of her career.
Next: Still active and still adding to her net worth.
11. Agnieszka Radwa?ska (TIE)
Net worth: $25 million
Sport: Tennis
Polish tennis player Agnieszka Radwa?ska is still active in 2018, so when all is said and done, she might climb higher on the list of richest female athletes. Even though she hasn’t won a grand slam tourney, she has 20 wins and more than $25 million in prize money on her resume so far.
Next: Our next athlete is in the same boat as Radwa?ska.
11. Simona Halep (TIE)
Net worth: $25 million
Sport: Tennis
Simona Halep is almost a carbon copy of our previous athlete, Agnieszka Radwa?ska. Halep turned pro in 2010 and won the 2018 French Open title, her first grand slam title. She’s just coming into her own as a pro and could one day move into the top 10 of the richest female athletes of all time.
Next: Living well in retirement.
11. Martina Hingis (TIE)
Net worth: $25 million
Sport: Tennis
Despite retiring from professional tennis in 2007, Martina Hingis is still one of the richest female athletes in the world. The five-time grand slam champion, including three titles in 1997, racked up 43 career wins and more than $27 million in prize money.
Next: Still going strong.
9. Caroline Wozniacki (TIE)
Net worth: $30 million
Sport: Tennis
She’s already one of the richest female athletes we’ve ever seen, and in time Caroline Wozniacki might move further up the list. In 12 professional seasons since 2007, she’s won 29 WTA tournaments and more than $30 million in prize money. She also has endorsement deals with Adidas, Rolex, and other major brands that will keep the money rolling in.
Next: A name you should know.
9. Steffi Graf (TIE)
Net worth: $30 million
Sport: Tennis
Even if you don’t follow tennis, you probably know about Steffi Graf. After all, she’s one of the best players ever and half of one of the most famous sports couples in the world. The German won 22 grand slam titles and 107 professional titles during a 17-year career, and her success on the court helped her bank close to $22 million in prize money alone.
Next: She’s retired and still rich.
8. Annika Sörenstam
Net worth: $40 million
Sport: Golf
Even though she put away her clubs a long time ago, we’re sure Annika Sörenstam wouldn’t have any trouble battling the men on their turf. The Swedish golfer focuses more on her charitable foundation and golf course design these days, but her unparalleled success on the course makes her one of the richest female athletes ever.
Next: A trailblazer and one of the richest female athletes in the world.
6. Li Na (TIE)
Net worth: $50 million
Sport: Tennis
The first Asian player to win a grand slam singles title (the 2011 French Open), Li Na retired in 2014, but she’s still one of the wealthiest female athletes. Nike is just one of the many endorsement deals she has that add millions to her bank account.
Next: Her lack of results doesn’t impact her bank account.
6. Anna Kournikova (TIE)
Net worth: $50 million
Sport: Tennis
Even though she never won a professional tournament as a singles player, Anna Kournikova is still one of the richest female athletes ever. A slew of endorsements, including Adidas, Omega, and Berlei, helped Kournikova make a ton of money off the court.
Next: She was one of the top earners in her sport.
5. Danica Patrick
Net worth: $60 million
Sport: Auto racing
Danica Patrick’s relationship with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers keeps her in the spotlight, but she’s famous (and rich) in her own right. The open-wheel and NASCAR driver has one race win to her name, but she was one of the highest-paid stock car drivers with numerous endorsement deals that bring in the money.
Next: She’s been smart with her millions.
4. Venus Williams
Net worth: $95 million
Sport: Tennis
A five-time Wimbledon and seven-time grand slam champion on the World Tennis Association tour, Venus Williams has 49 tournament wins and more than $40 million in prize money. She also makes a fortune from endorsements with Wilson, Ralph Lauren, Kraft, and other companies, but she’s been smart with her money. She banked her first big paycheck and doesn’t spend wildly.
Next: An athlete whose money comes from the business world.
3. Alexis DeJoria
Net worth: $100 million
Sport: Drag racing
Alexis DeJoria earned seven wins during her time as a National Hot Rod Association driver, but most of her money comes from her dad’s business interests. John Paul DeJoria is a billionaire who founded John Paul Mitchell Systems and Patron Tequilla. A lot of her wealth stems from her dad’s accomplishments, but she owns a racing team, Stealth Motorsports.
Next: She succeeds on and off the tennis court.
2. Maria Sharapova
Net worth: $135 million
Sport: Tennis
Unlike Anna Kournikova, another tennis player we just discussed, Maria Sharapova has a long list of on-court highlights. She has 36 singles wins, she’s won each of the grand slam tournaments at least once, and she’s won more than $38 million in prize money. But it is her endorsements with Nike, Head, Porsche, and UBS, among others, that make her one of the richest female athletes ever.
Next: No surprise at No. 1.
1. Serena Williams
Net worth: $180 million
Sport: Tennis
Serena Williams would be one of the richest female athletes based solely on her tennis career. Her 72 singles titles, including 23 grand slam titles, the $86 million in prize money, and the long list of amazing victories cement her tennis legacy. When you add in a Nike endorsement and her own fashion brand, it makes Serena the richest ever.
All net worth figures courtesy of Celebrity Net Worth.
Read more: The 15 Wealthiest NFL QBs of All Time
