Slide over Oprah, there’s a new billionaire in town. Singer/Actress Janet Jackson has recently joined the ranks of celebrities who have become billionaires. Many short-sighted and sexist people will attribute Jackson’s new financial status to her recent marriage to billionaire retail tycoon Wissam Al Mana. In fact Jackson, who is one of the best-selling musical artists in music history, made her money from the following pursuits:
Concert Tours: $458 million
Acting: $304 (who knew playing Penny on ‘Good Times’ paid so much)
Album Sales: $260 million
Tour sponsorship and licensing fees: $81 million
Perhaps one of the reasons for marrying Al Mana was because she wanted to marry someone equally yoked financially, especially after having been burned by ex-husband Rene Elizondo to the tune of $15 million some years ago.
This recent announcement puts to rest all of those pesky rumors about Michael Jackson’s burial being delayed because Janet wanted her $40,000 back or her interest in his children being about money. That would make sense if she hadn’t been grinding for a few decades, obviously investing her money wisely and not co-mingling funds with other celebrities who constantly have tax issues, like ex-boyfriend Jermaine Dupri. We won’t even mention her philanthropic efforts in the process of building her financial empire.
Before being quick to attribute Ms. Jackson’s financial status to her new husband (because that is what most people will assume, including some women), get the story straight. When you wonder aloud what Ms. Jackson has done lately, consider that she is finally enjoying the fruits of her labor.
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder and editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire.
For more information about Jackson and other celebrity wealth, read Lizbeth Scordo’s post on Yahoo’s OMG.
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