8 of the richest female athletes of 2024 – net worths, ranked: from tennis legends Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, to racing driver champ Danica Patrick – but who’s also a billionaire’s daughter?
Being a front runner in women’s sports takes a lot of talent, dedication, hard work – and the ability to withstand blatant sexism. Nine female tennis players decided to create their own tournament in 1970 in protest of the major difference in prize money, at a time when male players often got paid up to 12 times more than women. This fight for equal prize money led to the foundation of the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973, with Grand Slam tournaments like the US Open and later Wimbledon awarding equal prize money to female and male players as a result.
It’s no surprise, then, that tennis players lead the pack when comparing the world’s richest female athletes. Having said that, there are also contenders from the racing world featured on this list.
Here’s how the top eight female athletes’ fortunes stack up in 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
8. Anna Kournikova, 42
Estimated net worth: US$60 million
She may never have won a Women’s Tennis Association title, but the Russian-American former professional tennis player swiftly became one of the most famous faces on the court thanks to her impressive skills and good looks.
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7. Li Na, 42
Estimated net worth: US$60 million
Chinese professional tennis player Li Na became the first and only Chinese player to ever win a Grand Slam singles event when she won the French Open in 2011. Following a knee injury, Na announced her retirement from professional tennis in 2014, ranking No 6 in the world at the time.
6. Danica Patrick, 42
Estimated net worth: US$80 million
Widely considered the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing, Danica Patrick announced her official retirement from the sport in 2018. While she earned a hefty sum during her career in winnings, she’s gone on to increase her fortune endorsing for brands like Chevrolet, Coca-Cola, Nationwide Insurance and GoDaddy.
5. Venus Williams, 43
Estimated net worth: US$95 million
The eldest of the Williams sisters, Venus turned professional at 14 and went on to become world No 1 in singles on three separate occasions. These days, she makes her millions with brand endorsements, in addition to publishing books and running her own fashion line, Eleven by Venus Williams.
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4. Alexis DeJoria, 46
Estimated net worth: US$100 million
Despite being the daughter of American billionaire John Paul DeJoria, founder of the tequila company Patron and Paul Mitchell hair care products, Alexis DeJoria independently earned her fortune through her successful career as a racing driver.
3. Steffi Graf, 54
Estimated net worth: US$145 million
These days, the German player is the founder and chairperson of non-profit foundation Children for Tomorrow, developing projects to support traumatised kids affected by violence, war and persecution.
2. Maria Sharapova, 36
Estimated net worth: US$180 million
Maria Sharapova started her professional career in 2001 and went on to win five Grand Slam titles. She ranked on Forbes’ lists as the highest-paid female athlete for 11 straight years until she was dethroned by Serena Williams in 2016. While she retired in 2020, she’s still earning big bucks thanks to endorsements, her own tennis apparel brand, and shoe and handbag collections.
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1. Serena Williams, 42
Estimated net worth: US$300 million
The youngest of the legendary Williams sisters, Serena made her professional debut at 14 when she won the US Open back in 1999, becoming the first African-American woman of the Open Era to bag the title.
- Female tennis players fought for prize money equal to their male counterparts in the 1970s, hence they dominate this list – but racing drivers Danica Patrick and Alexis DeJoria made it too
- Former world No 1 Sharapova ranked as the highest-paid female athlete for 11 straight years before Serena Williams dethroned her in 2016 – but both of their off-court earnings remain impressive