RIHANNA was once on the brink of bankruptcy despite being a billionaire these days thanks to her retail empire.

The singer-turned-businesswoman, 35, launched cosmetics range Fenty Beauty in 2017 and a year later followed up with lingerie brand Savage X Fenty.

Rihanna’s beauty brand Fenty Beauty helped make her a billionaireCredit: Getty

She launched underwear line Savage X Fenty a year laterCredit: Getty

Rihanna’s last album – Anti – was released in 2016 and she’s been focused on business sinceCredit: Getty
In 2022 Rihanna – real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty – was named as America’s youngest self-made female billionaire, but it’s been claimed that the Pon De Replay hitmaker was almost broke at the end of 2009.

According to TMZ Rihanna’s fortune dwindled from £39.5m in 2007 to £1.5m just two years later, thanks to “misappropriation from her accounting team”.

Despite the fact Rihanna hasn’t released an album since 2016’s Anti, she’s bounced back from near-financial ruin thanks her savvy business moves.

And it’s been claimed that Rihanna’s making a smart move by focusing on Fenty and Savage X Fenty rather than music.

Entertainment attorney Aurielle Brooks told Essence: “Oftentimes, fans think music artists are rich coming into the industry and that’s just not the case.

“The music industry can be unpredictable. As an artist you can release an album that is untimely, and it simply does not do well.

“Artists must stay consistent in their efforts of not only making music but also touring, endorsement deals, partnerships and other ventures.

“Focusing on entrepreneurship will allow Rihanna to alleviate the unpredictable aspects of the music industry and have more control over her own innovation.”

According to Forbes, most of Rihanna’s £1.1 billion fortune now comes from Fenty Beauty – of which she owns 50 per cent – while Savage X Fenty makes up another large portion.

Earlier this year Rihanna revealed she is pregnant again after she and rapper A$AP Rocky welcomed their first child in May 2022.

She and A$AP Rocky are expecting their second child