While the public might be used to hearing more about the successes of the top male athletes, these super-talented female athletes have also been making some serious dollars from their prize money! So who are these champions and just how much are they making? Let’s get to know some of the most successful female athletes.
Nadia Comăneci – $10 Million
Nadia Comăneci demonstrated her show-stopping gymnastics skills when she was the first person to be awarded a perfect 10.0 score at the Olympic Games. The Romanian athlete She was just 14 when she won three gold medals and later went on to win two more.
Comăneci decided to share her expert techniques and is now the owner of both a top gymnastics school as well as a production company that broadcasts gymnastics events.
Petra Kvitová — $30 Million
Czech tennis pro, Petra Kvitová, is the first player (male or female) born after 1990, to have won one of the major tennis tournaments. Kvitová won Wimbledon twice and, as of 2020, she is ranked eighth on the pro list.
Since turning pro in 2006, Kvitová has raked in $31 million in winnings. This combined with her multiple endorsements (and a little spending) over the years leaves her net worth at $30 million.
Simone Biles – $4 Million
Simone Biles has become a household name for her incredible wins at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Biles took the gold medal for the vault, all-around, and the floor exercise categories as well as for being a part of the win for the U.S. team.
Before she was rolling in gold medals, Biles also had around $2 million in prize money and endorsements. The 2016 Olympics were certainly not the end of her cash flow, as she has added another $2 million to her net worth.
Caroline Wozniacki – $30 Million
The Danish Caroline Wozniacki is known to be an exceptional, defensive player and, though she may be retired, she took a monumental $34 million in prize money when she walked off the court. At age 19, Wozniacki went straight to the US Open finals in 2009.
Though she may have dropped in the rankings in the years after, she still went on to be a seasonal contender. Wozniacki proved herself a champion as she navigated the ups and downs of her career. She managed to make a comeback when she won the Australian Open in 2018.
Paige VanZant – $3.5 Million
UFC fighter Paige VanZant was known for her love of hunting as well as fishing and dirt bike racing while growing up. Today, she is one of the most recognizable UFC stars, though she has never won a championship. VanZant has crafted her image through social media, which landed her TV spots outside of the ring.
VanZant was on season 22 of "Dancing with the Stars" and also made an appearance on "Chopped." Outside of this, VanZant has modeled and written an autobiography, which makes up part of her $3.5 million net worth.
Yani Tseng – $8 Million
Though Yani Tseng has had a fluctuating career, she is the youngest woman to have won five major golfing championships at just age 22. The Taiwanese golf pro endured a downturn in her career since her domination from 2008 to 2012, but she has won over $10 million in prize money.
Tseng did hold the number one spot in women’s golf rankings for 109 weeks straight and is four points away from being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Today, it is estimated that she is worth about $8 million.
Nilla Fischer – $5 Million
Swedish soccer player Nilla Fischer may not have made a lot of money from her time on the field alone, but she has made a lot of money from her endorsement deals. Fischer has landed some very coveted deals with brands like Puma, that have helped her achieve her net worth of $5 million.
Unfortunately, only the highest-paid female players see over $100,000 in their annual paychecks. But Fischer has caught public attention, not only as a pro athlete but also for her advocacy for better working conditions and equal pay for female soccer players around the globe.
Anika Sörenstam – $40 Million
Swedish native Annika Sörenstam turned pro in 1992 and has won 10 major tournaments over the course of her career. When she retired in 2008, she had won more PGA competitions than any other woman to date and made over $22 million in prize winnings!
Sörenstam also became a history-maker when she shot a 59 during a competition, which was the lowest ever for any female player. Sörenstam began diversifying her career path and started pursuing other business ventures. Her pro athlete career, paired with her business savvy, is what led to her now $40 million net worth.
Mikaela Shiffrin – $3 Million
Skier Mikaela Shiffrin took two gold medals and a silver medal in the 2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic games. Some may see Shiffrin as a predecessor to Lindsey Vonn, but Shiffrin is revealing that she has her own legacy to leave behind.
In March 2019, she was the first alpine skier to land 15 World Cup wins, so it seems that fans haven’t yet seen all that Shiffrin can do. From her winnings along with her numerous endorsements from big brands like Adidas and Barilla, her net worth is $3 million.
Gabby Douglas – $4 Million
During the Olympics, Gabby Douglas won the spectator's hearts not only for her incredible gymnastics skills but also for her congenial and warm personality. Douglas was one of the “Fierce Five” group of female gymnasts who dominated the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
She has made $4 million from both endorsements and book sales and is the first African (of any nationality) to win a gold medal for the all-around champion. At just age 24, Douglas is a household name and her life story even became a TV movie on the Lifetime channel.
Mary Pierce – $16 Million
Though Mary Pierce has represented France at various tournaments, she’s both a citizen of Canada and the U.S. Pierce won the Australian Open singles tournament in 1995 and the French Open in 2000. She also won the doubles tournament at the French Open in 2000 and mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2005.
Pierce has been discerning in her career choices and, though she made just under $10 million in prize money, she accumulated much more through her endorsements. Her wise choices have truly paid off as today she is worth $16 million.
Sydney Leroux – $3 Million
Sydney Leroux was born into a sports-oriented family, so it's not hard to believe that she herself would become an athlete. Her American father was a baseball player and her Canadian mother was a softball player, but for herself Leroux chose a soccer ball.
She currently plays as a part of the American national soccer team as a forward and was one of the first female players who debuted on FIFA 2016. Leroux has also landed coveted endorsement deals with Nike, Beats by Dre and Nestlé. And though she is still an up-and-coming star, Leroux already has a net worth of $3 million.
Elina Svitolina – $12 Million
Ukrainian native Elina Svitolina currently ranks fifth and, though she has not won any major tournaments, she remains a constant presence on the pro tennis scene. Her lack of tournament wins has not shaken her confidence as she has defeated both Venus and Serena Williams along with Halep, Kerber, and Osaka.
She also made it to the semifinals of both the French and US Opens in 2019. Svitolina has accumulated over $19 million in prize money and her net worth is presently estimated to be $12 million.
Lorena Ochoa – $15 Million
Originally from Mexico, golfer Lorena Ochoa held the number one spot for weeks and was only ousted from the rankings when she retired in 2010. The accomplished pro worked hard to hold onto the number one spot and, with all the money she’s earned in tournaments and endorsements, boasts a net worth of $15 million.
Many would have liked to see the golf champion go even further but at age 28, Ocho decided to head off the green for good.
Maria Sharapova – $195 Million
Russian tennis pro-Maria Sharapova was the first to be ranked number one in the world. Notoriety came early to Sharapova as she rose to the top of the tennis arena at the tender age of 18. She has won five Grand Slam titles and 36 titles total in her career.
Along with her amazing wins, she has also snagged endorsement deals and modeling gigs. Sharapova may flank the Williams sisters in her earnings, but she will always be considered one of the best players, her $195 million net worth proves that.
Sloane Stephens – $4 Million
Sloane Stephens may not be a household name in tennis just yet, but she may be someday soon. Stephens shocked spectators when at just 19 years old, she defeated the great Serena Williams in 2013.
Since then, she has had some struggles on the tennis court, but the young millionaire still has a potentially long career ahead of her and time to shine.
Chris Evert – $16 Million
Throughout her career, Chris Evert seemed to dominate just about every tennis court she walked onto as she won the Australian Open, French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon multiple times. Evert was such a preeminent, tennis icon that she actually coined the term “tennis bracelet” when she referred to the diamond bracelet she lost in the 1987 US Open as a “tennis bracelet.”
Evert capitalized on her career opportunities and also has her own tennis academy, Tennis magazine and clothing line. And, in her spare time, she’s also been a commentator. With all of her hard work both on and off the court she presently has a net worth of $16 million.
Abby Wambach – $4 Million
Abby Wambach is certainly one of the most famous female soccer players. While building her legacy on the field, she has accrued some $4 million, which is primarily from endorsements. She was scoring goals and breaking glass ceilings early on in life and was even moved from the girls league to the boys league when she was young.
Wambach also made her country proud when she became the 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year, as this was the first time in ten years that an American had won.
Flavia Pennetta – $7 Million
Though Flavia Pennetta is retired, she made the most of her career earnings over the fifteen years that she was a pro tennis player. Pennetta went pro in 2000 and won her first major tournament in 2011 when she won the doubles tournament at the Australian Open with Gisela Dulko.
But Pennetta showed that she is a powerhouse with or without a partner on the court. In 2015, before her retirement, she went out on top after she won the US Open. Now, Penetta can live comfortably on her laurels and her net worth of $7 million.
Cristie Kerr –$7 Million
Pro golfer, Cristie Kerr boasts a successful career, having taken over $19 million home in prize money since turning professional in 1996.
Kerr won the US Women’s Open in 2007 as well as the PGA Women’s Championship in 2010. Though Kerr’s career has been quieter in recent years, she still sits comfortably with a net worth of $7 Million.
Ashleigh Barty – $10 Million
As of 2020, tennis player, the Australian Ashleigh Barty ranks number one in the world on the top singles players list. She won the French Open in 2019 and her total prize winnings amount to nearly $17 million, that’s a lot of wealth for a 24-year-old! Barty now has a net worth of around $10 million.
She is taking time off from the courts in 2020 but, based on her recent performances, her career should only be characterized by more successes.
Heather Mitts – $9 Million
Former soccer player, Heather Mitts took the Olympic gold medal home three times while on the U.S. national team. Since retirement, Mitts has also had success in her broadcasting career as both a commentator and an analyst.
Her athletic career combined with her tv appearances has earned her a net worth of $9 million. Off-screen, she also operates a soccer camp for children.
Kim Clijsters – $20 Million
Belgian tennis pro, Kim Clijsters, won the French Open (her first major tournament) at age 20 and is worth about $20 million. Clijsters retired in 2007 from some lingering injuries and in order to start a family, but a couple of years later she picked right back up where she left off.
In fact, Clijsters won the US Open in back-to-back years! To summarize her career highlights, she won the US Open three times, the Australian Open once in singles, the French Open in doubles, and Wimbledon.
Joanna Jędrzejczyk – $5 Million
Polsih UFC fighter, Joanna Jędrzejczyk has demonstrated her prowess in the ring since 2012. Jędrzejczyk won the UFC Strawweight belt in 2015 after her victory over Carla Esparza. Interestingly, Jędrzejczyk is also the first Polish titleholder in the UFC franchise.
She may have lost the belt since her initial win, but Jędrzejczyk is still a familiar face and is ranked second in the strawweight rankings. To add to her resume, before she was a UFC contender, she was also a Muay Thai and kickboxing champion. Today, her career net worth is about $5 million.
Simona Halep – $30 Million
Romanian Tennis pro, Simona Halep dominated in singles both at Wimbledon in 2019 and at the French Open in 2018. Halep turned pro in 2006 and, after several years of hard work, managed to reach the threshold of the top 10 in her rankings. 2013 was a breakthrough year for Halep as she shifted her focus to playing the sport with passion versus the goal of winning every game.
The altered mindset must have worked as, since that time, she’s reached the number one spot on several occasions. Today, with her career earnings and endorsements, Halep has a net worth of around $30 million.
Gina Carano – $8 Million
Gina Carano first stepped into the public eye as she garnered a successful MMA career. Though the success was short (she only stayed in the MMA for 3 years), Carano was still crowned the “face of women’s MMA”. When she retired from the ring in 2009, Carano was able to pivot easily into acting.
Since stepping into Hollywood, she has starred in Haywire, Deadpool and The Mandalorian, sometimes even doing her own stunts! Though she did have some money from her MMA career, most of her $8 million net worth is from being an actress.
Venus Williams – $95 Million
Certainly the most recognizable name in women’s tennis, Venus Williams has both won hearts and made history in her outstanding career. Williams is not only the first African-American woman to receive the number one ranking since Althea Gibson back in the ’50s, but she also became an advocate for equal pay for female athletes.
She has gone head-to-head with sister and fellow-athletic icon, Serena, which has always drawn quite a crowd at tournaments. Venus has won at least seven of the bigger tournaments and only Serena has won more than her. Williams’s $95 million dollar fortune (almost $42 million from prize money) is also only just behind that of her sister. With so many accomplishments, Williams proves that she is a queen of the court.
Brittney Griner – $4 Million
Brittney Griner has become one of the best and most recognized players in the WNBA. Sadly, however, her net worth reveals the monumental pay gap between male and female athletes. Though Griner makes over $100,000 a year under her contract with the WNBA, she has garnished her career by entering into short contracts to play in China.
While playing there in 2014, she reportedly made $600,000 in three months. As of 2020, her net worth is estimated to be $4 million, including endorsements.
Bianca Andreescu – $4 Million
Canadian Bianca Andreescu officially became a tennis pro in 2017 but has already made nearly $7 million from her winnings. Even at just 20 years old, Andreescu made sure that tennis fans will remember her name when she defeated Serena Williams in the 2019 US Open singles tournament.
She has become a fan favorite and even has supporters in both Canada and Romania (the homeland of her parents). To date, Andreescu has several sponsorships and endorsements, but with her career catching fire, she is bound to receive many more.
Naomi Osaka – $25 Million
Half Haitian, Half Japanese, tennis star Naomi Osaka, represents Japan even though she lives in the U.S. At the tender age of 22, Osaka is thought to be one of the most marketable female athletes in the world. This is thanks to both her congenial personality and her exceptional talent on the courts.
Osaka won the US Open in 2018, the Australian Open in 2019, and the US Open in 2020. The tennis pro currently ranks third and her net worth is estimated to be $25 million. In 2020, she is the highest-paid female athlete.
Cris “Cyborg” Justino – $5 Million
Brazilian Cris “Cyborg” Justino has created a legacy for herself in the MMA world. During Justino’s career (which has preceded famous names like Rhonda Rousey) she has retained her championship belts for much longer.
In fact, Justino proves she has what it takes to rise to the top as she’s the only fighter to ever be the champion of the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, and Invicta. She was only toppled from her career-high (undefeated from 2005 to 2018) when Amanda Nunes won the championship belt.
Ana Ivanovic – $16 Million
Ana Ivanovic is an athlete with a unique backstory. She grew up in what was, at the time, war-torn Yugoslavia and took up an interest in tennis after watching fellow Yugoslavian Monica Seles on the court. Despite the challenges facing her country during this time, she remained dedicated to her tennis training.
Her focus on her training paid off as Ivanovic eventually made it to a major tournament, winning the French Open in 2008 and being ranked number one in the same year. She accumulated over $15 million in prize money from 2003 up until her retirement in 2016. Ivanovic is now worth around $16 million.
Martina Navratilova – $15 Million
Czech player Martina Navratilova shares the high accomplishments of her peers, Serena Williams and Steffi Graf, with whom she has competed against in the past. She has winnings of over $21 million from her enduring career. In fact, at the time of her retirement after winning the mixed doubles at the US Open, she was 49 years old!
If she did not prove her abilities and passion for tennis as a professional athlete, the great Billie Jean King dismissed all doubt with her personal endorsement of Navratilova. King said that Navratilova was “the greatest singles, doubles, and mixed doubles player who’s ever lived.” All of her monetary success aside, that is the best accolade of all.
Allyson Felix – $8 Million
Allyson Felix is set apart as the only female track and field star to have six gold medals. Presently, Felix is tied with Merlene Ottey for the most Olympic medals overall (as they both currently hold nine).
Unfortunately, running by itself is not known to be incredibly lucrative. Felix has been fortunate enough to land quite a few endorsement deals which helped her achieve her $8 million net worth.
Jelena Jankovic – $15 Million
Jelena Janković is another recognizable face in the world of women’s tennis. Janković was the first player to hold a number one ranking without having won a major singles tournament. Though she only held the ranking for a week, she did go on to win mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2007 and continued to rank higher on the list as her career progressed.
Janković has not officially retired but has taken an extended break from tennis since her back surgery in 2017. From her career earnings, she has obtained nearly $20 million in prize money (along with endorsements from Fila and Adidas) which contributes to her total net worth of $15 million.
Inbee Park – $9 Million
Inbee Park is a powerhouse in the pro golfing world. The South Korean golfer has spent the last decade making a name for herself in the sport, with her first major win in the U.S. Women’s Open at age 19. From there, she went on to win seven major championships and earned over $15 million in prize money.
Since the beginning of her professional career in 2007 till now, Park has accumulated a net worth of $9 million from all of her competitions and endorsement deals.
Eugenie Bouchard – $6 Million
Canadian tennis player, Eugenie Bouchard, first gained public acclaim when she appeared in the 2014 Wimbledon finals, as well as the semi-finals at the US and Australian Opens that same year. Bouchard was also the first female player from Canada to have ranked in the top five for singles.
She has endured a recent downturn in her career, struggling in her rankings, but hopefully, things will turn around for Bouchard. She still has a notable net worth of $6 million.
Madison Keys – $8 Million
Madison Keys turned pro in 2009 and first gained public acclaim when she reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2015. Keys was just a teen at the time, but she went on to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon that same year.
Keys has never achieved a major title, but she is presently ranked 16th in the world. Since turning pro at the age of 13, she has $12 million in prize money to her name. And as of 2020, her net worth is estimated to be around $8 million.
P.V. Sindhu – $10 Million
Badminton is a sport that may not be very well-known, but there are some players who are making their way up in this unique sport. Pusarla Venkata Sindhu (or P.V. Sindhu in the media) is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in badminton, taking home the silver medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Sindhu has made the most of her career with endorsements and sponsorships from Nike and Panasonic and is now worth about $10 million. Hopefully, Sindhu will only continue to rise higher both on and off the court.
Alex Morgan – $3 Million
Soccer star Alex Morgan is another female athlete who is building a legacy. Morgan is a member of the U.S. national team and has found herself in some very lucrative endorsement deals. She appeared alongside Lionel Messi on the FIFA 16 covers that were sold in the U.S. and also has endorsements with Nike and Coca-Cola.
Morgan has interests outside of the soccer field and has written The Kicks, a book series that is marketed towards middle schoolers. The series did very well and was even on the New York Times Best Sellers list! Because of her diversified portfolio, Morgan now has a net worth of $3 million.
Agnieszka Radwánska – $25 Million
Agnieszka Radwánska became a pro in 2005 and won the WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player a remarkable six times. Though Radwánska hadn’t won any major championships by her retirement in 2018, she did add a lot of zeros to her net worth.
Having been one of the most popular players, Radwánska had a number of endorsement deals as well as $27 million in prize money. When she walked off the court for the last time in 2018, she walked home with a net worth of $25 million!
McKayla Maroney – $4 Million
McKayla Maroney is known for her talents as an American gymnast, but she also became a famous meme for sporting a comical, unimpressed face after winning the silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games. Since her win and her social media fame, Maroney has been able to land guest appearances on TV shows.
Along with endorsements, have helped her achieve a net worth of $4 million. Like some athletes, injuries, unfortunately, forced her into early retirement, but Maroney still has a career to be proud of.
Paula Creamer – $8 Million
Though the only major tournament Paula Creamer won was the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open, she was the youngest player to receive $1 million in LPGA earnings. Creamer is also in the top 10 for her total career earnings, but she has been ranked only as high as number two in the women’s golf rankings.
Creamer may not be the top player, but with a net worth of $8 million from her time on the course, she has still had a very successful career.
Justine Henin – $14 Million
Belgian tennis star Justine Henin is yet another female pro who has left a legacy for those after her. The coveted Wimbledon championship is the only major tournament that Henin did not win before her 2011 retirement, but with several top tournaments wins in singles, she should be more than satisfied with her career accomplishments.
Henin’s dedication on the court year after year literally paid off as she now has a net worth of $14 million in her retirement.
Martina Hingis – $25 Million
Martina Hingis was a tennis prodigy, shattering records from age 14. She shot straight to the top and was the youngest player to have won a major tournament as well as the youngest to be ranked number one. Hingis went on to win all four major tournaments in one year, otherwise known as the Grand Slam.
For Hingis, the Grand Slam year was in 1998, when she won Wimbledon and the US, Australian, and French Opens in doubles. Today, with 25 tournament wins and endorsements in her 23 years as a pro, Hingis is worth about $25 million.
Lindsey Vonn – $8 Million
American alpine skier, Lindsey Vonn is easily the face of women's’ professional skiing. Skiing is not known to provide a steady income, however, unless you are in the top 10. Thankfully for Vonn, skiing is at least one of the few sports in the world with equal pay between men and women.
Vonn has taken home both bronze and gold medals in the Olympic games and of course has landed many endorsement deals. She has even made a few TV appearances and overall, has done very well for herself. How well has she done? As of 2020, Vonn is worth around $6 million.
Anna Kournikova – $50 Million
Though Anna Kournikova was not a top tennis star, having only achieved a world ranking of eight, she did achieve number one in doubles, with Martina Hingis as her partner. Kournikova also won the Australian Open twice. But what really gave her public attention, was that she retired from her pro tennis career at the age of just 21.
She then went on to appear in Enrique Iglesias’ music video for his song “Escape” and reportedly has a net worth that is valued at about $50 million, despite career winnings of just over $3.5 million.
Surya Bonaly – $3 Million
French figure skater Surya Bonaly often stunned spectators with her graceful athleticism on the ice. Though she may not have won an Olympic medal, Bonaly has had other notable successes. She took home the silver medal three times for the World Cup and, most remarkably, is the only skater to have ever done a full backflip and landed on one skate.
The amazing move now bears her name, “the Bonaly”. In 2015, she was unfortunately forced into retirement after undergoing spinal surgery. But Bonaly walked off of the rink with a net worth of $3 million.
Elena Dementieva – $15 Million
Elena Dementieva is considered to be one of the best female tennis players and, though she may not have won a major tournament, she has still had success elsewhere.
Dementieva won a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympic games for the women’s singles competition and garnered the attention that led to endorsement deals. Her retirement in 2010, with her prize money and endorsements combined, left her with a net worth of $15 million.
Holly Holm – $3.5 Million
Though Rhonda Rousey was one of the most notable, female UFC fighters in recent years, Holly Holm defeated her at UFC 193. Holm’s shocking victory over Rousey instantly turned UFC fan’s eyes towards her. She has an impressive background as both a former boxer and kickboxer, boasting an impressive 33-2-3 boxing record.
Holm has dipped her toes in other sports arenas but she has shone the brightest in the UFC world. And, though she could not hold on to her championship belt forever, she has accumulated around $4 million from her prize money and endorsements.
Victoria Azarenka – $15 Million
Hailing from Belarus, Victoria Azarenka is, in fact, the only Belarussian to have won one of the major tennis tournaments (the Australian Open in both 2012 and 2013) After those victories, Azarenka took over $30 million in prize money, as her hard work paid off.
Though her net worth of $20 million is due to prior winnings and endorsements combined, Azarenka was the first tennis player to be endorsed by Red Bull.
Miesha Tate – $6 Million
American Miesha Tate is a major female star in the UFC and is currently worth about $6 million. Tate gained acclaim when she faced off against Ronda Rousey in 2012, and after she defeated Holly Holm, becoming the bantamweight champion.
Though she has certainly made money from her victories in the ring, her money mainly comes from endorsements like many other athletes. Tate remained busy after her retirement in 2016 and has since become a model and sports commentator.
Karolína Plíšková – $15 Million
Czech player Karolína Plíšková currently ranks sixth on the tennis pro list and has ranked number one in the past, despite not winning any major tournaments. However, Plíšková did turn heads when she went straight to the finals and semifinals in the US, French, and Australian Opens within a five-year span.
She has accumulated $19 million in prize money and, along with her endorsements, stands at a net worth of approximately $15 million.
Lindsay Davenport – $20 Million
Before the Williams sisters became the face of women’s tennis, Lindsey Davenport was the alpha star of the courts. Over the course of her career, Davenport won over $22 million in prize money. She dominated in singles competitions, winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open without a single loss in any set.
Due to her prowess in solo competitions, Davenport was also a great partner for doubles, as she won three big tournaments there as well. In 2015, after playing for so long, she wanted to pass on her skills, so she became a coach for a young tennis star, Madison Keys.
Yuna Kim – $21 Million
South Korean figure skater, Yuna Kim, was the first South Korean to get a gold medal at the Olympics for skating. Kim also made waves as she was also the only female skater in the world who won all major figure skating competitions.
Her victories included the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the Four Continents Championships, and the Grand Prix Final. Kim is currently worth $21 million, of which she donated $2.7 million to charity, revealing that she’s a big star with an even bigger heart.
Alexis DeJoria – $100 Million
Though you rarely hear about pro-female drag racers, hopefully, that will change soon. Alexis DeJoria is a drag racer in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) but is still in pursuit to be the first woman to win a championship in the NHRA.
Her jaw-dropping net worth is mostly due to her billionaire father, John Paul DeJoria, who co-founded Paul Mitchell and also founded Patrón tequila. Patrón also sponsors DeJoria, but she may soon be making a name for herself.
Amelie Mauresmo – $8 Million
French tennis player, Amélie Mauresmo received criticism early on in her career. The critics had low expectations for her future, believing she had neither the tenacity nor the dedication to make it to a major tournament. However, Mauresmo showed her critics that she was not to be underestimated.
In 2016, she won both the Australia Open and Wimbledon and even held a number one ranking at one point in her career. In recent years, Mauresmo has been passing along her techniques as a coach and, as of 2020, she is worth about $8 million.
Karrie Webb – $15 Million
Karrie Webb became a pro in 1994 and quickly rose to the top as one of Australia’s top female golfers. Webb won several notable tournaments and, with 41 LPGA wins, she presently has more wins than any other female pro.
Webb may not be the highest in her rankings, but she notably was the first woman golfer to achieve over a million in earnings during the 90s. Today, her long career has served her well as she is currently holding a net worth of $15 million.
Roberta Vinci – $5.6 Million
Even though she never won a prominent singles tournament, Roberta Vinci became nearly unstoppable with doubles partner, Sara Errani. The ladies dominated in doubles tournaments for a solid three years! They also won both the French and US Opens in 2012, the Australian Open in 2013, and both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2014.
Vinci retired in 2018 but she has taken home more than $11 million in prize money since her career kicked off in 1999. A dedicated player, Vinci is also the oldest pro to break into the top 10, which she did at age 33.
Ariya Jutanugarn – $12 Million
Tennis is a very lucrative sport but pro golfers are also known to make handsome salaries In Thailand, golf is very popular, making golf pro, Ariya Jutanugarn, a well-known champion.
Jutanugarn is worth about $12 million with all of her endorsements and prize money that came with her number one ranking worldwide. The pro also won the Women’s U.S. Open and the British Open.
Vera Zvonareva – $14 Million
Russian tennis plater Vera Zvonareva has won four major doubles tournaments and also appeared in the 2010 finals for both Wimbledon and the US Open.
Despite these successes, she has had a challenging career overall and has struggled to achieve an eye-catching ranking. Zvonareva is not struggling financially, however, as she currently has a net worth of $14 million, mainly from multiple endorsements.
Serena Williams – $200 Million
As of 2020, Serena Williams is the second-highest-paid female athlete, just behind Naomi Osaka. Williams does, however, have a much higher net worth that comes to $200 million. Due to her legendary athleticism, William’s prize money alone adds up to over $92 million.
Her cumulative, $200 million net worth speaks to her long and illustrious career that has been peppered with prize money, endorsement deals, and various income-generating, personal projects. If there is any female athlete that has dominated on and off the court and has been a trailblazer for those after her, it is Serena Williams.
Danica Patrick – $60 Million
Danica Patrick was a pioneer in the world of racing and was considered to be the greatest female racecar driver in the world. Patrick is the only woman to ever have won an IndyCar Series race and, though she never won a NASCAR race, she landed the honor of reaching the pole position twice.
Being a woman and a top racer, she has become a novelty both on and off the track, which has allowed her to have loads of endorsement deals. After a 14 year career, Patrick retired very comfortably with a net worth of $60 million.
Svetlana Kuznetsova – $30 Million
Hailing from Russia, Svetlana Kuznetsova first appeared on the courts in 2000 and has won four major tennis tournaments, two in doubles and two in singles. But Kuznetsova’s domination was far from over as she went on to win the Australian Open in doubles twice, (in 2005 and in 2012) as well as the US Open in 2004 and the French Open in 2009. She is a determined and focused competitor with no penetrable weaknesses.
Part of her formidableness is due to her while her sporadic yet strategic moves that keep her opponents guessing. Today, Kuznetsova’s total winnings accumulate to over $25 million, which, added to her endorsements, gives her a net worth of around $30 million.
Marta Vieira da Silva – $13 Million
Legendary footballer Pelé, honored the Brazillian female pro-Marta Vieira da Silva with the nickname “Pelé in skirts,”. As her nickname indicates, she is truly an amazing athlete and has broken records for both women and men! Viera da Silva has scored 17 goals in World Cup matches and has won the FIFA World Player of the Year five times.
Unfortunately, female soccer players don’t make as much as male pros, but that did not mean Viera da Silva was hurting for money. Her current net worth of $13 million is also due to her endorsements.
Angelique Kerber – $30 Million
Though Angelique Kerber may not be in the top ten rankings, the German tennis player has been making a name for herself, winning nearly every major tournament. In fact, the only major tournament she hasn’t won in the past five years is the French Open.
Kerber has made over $29 million from her winnings since she turned pro in 2003 and, of course, has made millions from her endorsements. As of today, her net worth is estimated to be around $30 million.
Ronda Rousey – $15 Million
Though Ronda Rousey has retired from MMA, she is most certainly counted as one of the top female athletes in the world. Before stepping into the MMA spotlight, Rousey won medals for her Judo skills in the Olympics and other competitions. She moved on from Judo at age 21 and then leaped into the world of mixed martial arts.
After this, Rousey proceeded to make history when she became the very first female fighter signed to UFC. She has also branched out into acting since the beginning of her career and has appeared in films like Expendables 3, Furious 7, and the TV show Entourage. Now boasting a net worth of $12 million, you can still catch Rousey as a wrestler in the WWE.
Billie Jean King – $20 Million
Billie Jean King has become the face not only of the women's’ pro tennis world but also of female athletes everywhere. A champion on and off the court, King has been an advocate for female athletes to be equally recognized alongside male pros. One of her most famous wins was the Battle of the Sexes matches against Bobby Riggs in 1973.
In her illustrious career, King won 39 major tournaments in the ’60s and ’70s, including singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Today, because of her legacy, King is worth about $20 million.
Saina Nehwal – $24 Million
Badminton player Saina Nehwal has made quite a name for herself as she was awarded India’s top honors in sports. However, she’s more than just a badminton champion. On a larger scale, Nehwal represents Indian-born athletes who have successfully been breaking into the pro sports world.
She has now become a notable sports figure in India, which allowed for some TV appearances that have added to her net worth. She even released an autobiography, which later inspired a 2018 biopic. A star in the making, Nehwal is currently worth around $24 million.
Li Na – $50 Million
Li Na, is the first Chinese player to make it to the top in the tennis world. Na, who ranked number two in the world, won both the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open. Being the top player in China, she has raked in many endorsement deals and is the first Asian tennis player to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
As of today, Na has obtained $16 million in winnings and, along with her endorsement deals, has a net worth of $50 million.
Michelle Kwan – $16 Million
After winning the US Figure Skating Championships nine times, Michelle Kwan has become one of the biggest names in the sport. But her career wasn’t always so full of winning streaks. Kwan started out as an underdog until her consistent training on the rink began paying off in the 90s.
Though she may not have a gold medal on her shelf, Kwan has made the most of her endorsement deals and guest celebrity appearances on TV shows. And with a net worth of $16 million, she will be good as gold, medal or not.
Garbiñe Muguruza – $12 Million
At 26, Garbiñe Muguruza has achieved a net worth of $12 million not only from her prize money but also from her endorsements from Adidas, Babolat, Rolex, and Maui Jim. Muguruza has only been competing professionally since 2012, but she has defeated a number of players who have ranked number one in the world, including Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki.
Muguruza was also able to claim the number one ranking after she won Wimbledon in 2017. Having a career patterned with successes like these, Murguruza will probably be worth more than $12 million in a few short years.
Steffi Graf – $30 Million
Steffi Graf is another legendary tennis pro who dominated from the end of the ’80s to the mid-’90s. Originally from Germany, in her 17 years on the court, Graf’s career was marked by her 22 singles tournament wins.
Graf has capitalized on her opportunities off the court and, along with her $22 million in winnings, has picked up many lucrative endorsements. With her prize money and years of endorsement deals, she is worth about $40 million.
Monica Seles – $20 Million
For many tennis pros, their careers can start slowly in their teens and eventually catch fire in their early twenties. But not for Monica Seles. Seles won the French Open in 1990 at age 16 and went on to win nine major tournaments all before she was even 20. She was enjoying a blossoming career when she was tragically stabbed by a fan of Steffi Graf in 1993. Seles took a two-year hiatus to recover from the traumatic attack and slowly began in the pro tennis world again.
Though Seles endured major devastation in her professional career, like a true athlete, she found the strength to return to the court. She did go on to win a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics, but as a whole, her career was never quite the same. She retired in 2007 and in 2009, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame. From her book deal and prize money throughout her career, Seles’s net worth is estimated to be $20 million.
Samantha Stosur – $18 Million
Hailing from Australia, Tennis star Samantha Stosur has won six major doubles tournaments. Stosur has never achieved the number one ranking in singles, but she did win the US Open singles competition in 2011. In fact, over the course of her career, she has achieved victories over some of the top players, including Serena Williams and Justine Henin.
Stosur has of course made millions from her winnings and, since turning pro in 1999, her endorsements have given her a total net worth of $18 million.