Forbesâ 2025 list of the 100 wealthiest self-made women in America reveals standout faces under 40, from music superstars to AI technology founders. Although only eight young women made the list, they prove that age is no longer a barrier to building hundreds of millions or even billions in wealth.
Singer and actress Selena Gomez, AI entrepreneur Lucy Guo, and pop star Taylor Swift (from left to right)
Compared to last year, the number of women under 40 in the â100 Richest SelfâMade Women in Americaâ dropped from 11 to 8. The main reasons: some have turned 40, and others no longer meet Forbesâ raised minimum asset threshold of **$350 million** this year. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2025/06/03/inside-forbes-ranking-of-americas-richest-self-made-women-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)
While the list honors achievements across many ages, the majority (82 out of 100) are over 50, and the average age is **63**. This shows that the path to wealthâbuilt through oneâs own effortsâoften takes time and persistence. However, the eight young women remaining show that boldness, creativity, and emerging trends in technology and consumer habits can accelerate that journey. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylvanlebrun/2025/06/03/americas-richest-self-made-women-under-40/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)
**Who is the richest selfâmade woman under 40?**
Pop star **Taylor Swift** is currently the wealthiest young woman in this group, with an estimated net worth of **$1.6 billion**. Her recordâbreaking _Eras Tour_, which grossed over **$2 billion** in ticket sales, added about **$300 million** to her fortune in just one year. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylvanlebrun/2025/06/03/americas-richest-self-made-women-under-40/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)
Swiftâs income doesnât come solely from music. She has maximized fan loyalty via ancillary productsâdocumentaries, books, and reârecordings of her older albums. These smart business moves have made her a phenomenon not only in music but also in investment circles. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylvanlebrun/2025/06/03/americas-richest-self-made-women-under-40/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)
Lucy Guo, 30, has become a billionaire after her early stake in Scale AI was reâvalued in a private insider deal. Although she left the company in 2018, she still holds about **5%**. Guo now runs the platform _Passes_, competing with Patreon, and works with notable figures including Shaquille OâNeal. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylvanlebrun/2025/06/03/americas-richest-self-made-women-under-40/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)
In a similar sector, **Daniela Amodei** (37) coâfounded the AI company Anthropic, the creator of the Claude models. With strong backing from Amazon and Alphabet, Anthropic is valued at **$61.5 billion**, and Amodei serves as its president, playing a key role in the global AI race. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylvanlebrun/2025/06/03/americas-richest-self-made-women-under-40/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)
Besides Swift, **Selena Gomez** and **Rihanna** show that celebrity influence goes beyond music or acting. Selena, 32, has had strong success with her cosmetics brand _Rare Beauty_, pulling in around **$370 million** in revenue in 2023. She is also well known as an actress and producer. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylvanlebrun/2025/06/03/americas-richest-self-made-women-under-40/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)
Rihanna, with a net worth now at **$1 billion**, saw a drop of **$400 million** from last year due to flat or lower performance in her businesses like Fenty Beauty and changes at Savage X Fenty. Still, she remains a powerful figure in fashion and beauty. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylvanlebrun/2025/06/03/americas-richest-self-made-women-under-40/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)
**Is Kylie Jenner still prominent on the list?**
At only **27**, Kylie Jenner is the youngest person on the list and the sole woman in her 20s to make it. With wealth estimated at **$670 million**, she continues to maintain her influence through Kylie Cosmetics (of which she sold 51% to Coty) and ventures into perfume and global expansion. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylvanlebrun/2025/06/03/americas-richest-self-made-women-under-40/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)
However, challenges remain. Declines in Cotyâs stock values are pulling down the valuations of beauty brands, including Kylieâs. Jenner has also been expanding into new areas, such as beverages with her fruitâflavored vodka product âSprinter,â to diversify her business portfolio. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sylvanlebrun/2025/06/03/americas-richest-self-made-women-under-40/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “â”)