15 of the Wealthiest Female Icons of the ’90s

When it comes to the pop culture titans of the 1990s, few made waves or amassed fortunes like these iconic women. From box office hits to record-breaking albums, these stars truly defined an era with their undeniable talent and shrewd business sense. Join us as we take a closer look at 15 of the wealthiest and most influential female celebrities of the 90s, whose careers continue to inspire and dazzle across generations.

Nicole Kidman

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Nicole Kidman combined her classically trained acting chops with a magnetic screen presence, building a career that spans critically acclaimed dramas, edge-of-your-seat thrillers, and TV triumphs. She quickly rose among Hollywood’s top earners and proved her business acumen with her own production company, Blossom Films, which she co-founded with producer Per Saari in 2010 and went on to produce acclaimed projects, including HBO’s Big Little Lies, as reported by Variety. Her red carpet appearances never go unnoticed, with Kidman consistently serving style and star power in equal measure.

Meg Ryan

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With charm and comedic timing, Meg Ryan became America’s sweetheart through a string of romantic comedies that defined a generation. Dubbed “America’s Sweetheart” by the media, she became one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars of the 1990s, earning as much as $15 million per film by the end of the decade, per Wikipedia. Known for both her quirky allure and business savvy, she continues to win hearts on screen and beyond.

Madonna

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Madonna, the “Queen of Pop,” built an empire through fearless reinvention and trend-setting music. Beyond her chart-topping hits and provocative stage shows, Madonna influenced generations with her bold fashion choices and boundary-pushing visuals. Her business ventures and touring success kept her a permanent fixture among the world’s wealthiest entertainers, with her estimated net worth reaching $850 million, placing her among the wealthiest women in entertainment history, according to Parade.

Shania Twain

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Shania Twain blazed trails in country and pop, shattering records as one of the best-selling female artists ever. She is the biggest-selling female artist in the history of country music, with three consecutive albums receiving diamond certification from the RIAA, a feat no other artist has achieved, as reported by Billboard. Twain’s unmistakable style, both in music and in her golden ensemble, reflects the vibrant confidence that made her a superstar.

Janet Jackson

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Janet Jackson combined irresistible music and eye-popping choreography to command arenas and airwaves alike. Her innovative visuals and intricate choreography helped shape pop culture and inspired legions of fans. She was even honored by MTV with its inaugural “Icon” ceremony, recognizing her significant contributions to music, music video and pop culture, according to Grammy.com. Despite facing adversity and controversy, she remains a resilient force and an unmatched live entertainer, securing her place among the all-time greats.

Julia Roberts

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From her megawatt smile to her captivating performances, Julia Roberts became the queen of romantic comedies and the highest-paid actress of her day. She was the world’s highest-paid actress for most of the 1990s and the first half of the 2000s, and was the first actress to command a $20 million salary for a single film role, per Parade. Her presence at high-profile premieres is always a reminder of her timeless appeal and Hollywood royalty status.

Demi Moore

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Demi Moore leveraged dramatic turns and blockbuster hits to become one of the era’s highest-paid stars. She became the world’s highest-paid actress when she received a then-record-breaking $12.5 million to star in Striptease in 1996, a milestone that raised salary benchmarks for actresses across Hollywood, as reported by Variety. Moore’s enduring glamour and red carpet looks continue to inspire admirers worldwide.

Sandra Bullock

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Known for her comedic talent, relatable characters, and versatile roles, Sandra Bullock rose to the top of Hollywood’s earnings ranks. She was named Hollywood’s highest-paid actress in 2014, with estimated earnings of $51 million over a single year, driven in large part by her blockbuster profit-sharing deal on Gravity, according to TIME. Bullock’s career choices highlight her savvy both in front of and behind the camera.

Courteney Cox

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Courteney Cox‘s iconic portrayal of Monica on Friends cemented her as one of television’s biggest stars. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Cox and her female co-stars became the highest-paid TV actresses of all time, earning $1 million per episode for the final two seasons of Friends, according to the Encyclopedia of Alabama. Her timeless beauty and signature style keep her in the spotlight at star-studded events.

Winona Ryder

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Winona Ryder stood out with a unique blend of quirky energy and dramatic gravitas, catapulting her to fame in both indie sensations and box office hits. She became a symbol of 90s cool, and her return to screens in Netflix’s Stranger Things sparked a celebrated career resurgence, with her performance as a distraught mother earning critical acclaim and introducing her to a whole new generation of fans, as reported by TIME.

Sarah Jessica Parker

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As the fashion-forward Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker became a cultural icon, with her show redefining style for a new era. Having played the role since 1998, Parker has worked alongside legendary costume designers to bring the character’s iconic looks to life, cementing her reputation as a true fashion icon both on and off the screen, according to Woman & Home. Through producing and acting, Parker’s influence and business ventures have only expanded her star power.

Mariah Carey

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With a vocal range renowned the world over, Mariah Carey soared to superstardom and financial success with record-shattering hits and enduring holiday anthems. Dubbed the “Songbird Supreme” by the Guinness World Records for her remarkable five-octave vocal range, she also became the only artist in history to have their first five singles reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, per Grammy.com. Carey’s legacy is matched only by her chart-topping success and entrepreneurial drive.

Jennifer Aniston

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Jennifer Aniston captured hearts as Rachel Green, fueling her rise to one of television and film’s most sought-after stars. She rose to international fame through her role on Friends from 1994 to 2004, for which she received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, according to Britannica. Aniston continues to shine at marquee events and through her work on- and off-screen.

Whitney Houston

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Possessing one of the most powerful voices in music history, Whitney Houston‘s chart-topping albums and iconic film roles made her a global superstar. Her Bodyguard soundtrack became the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time with more than 45 million copies sold worldwide, and its lead single “I Will Always Love You” remained at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 14 weeks, as reported by Houston’s official site. Her iconic style and influence continue to resonate with new generations of fans and music lovers.

Céline Dion

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Céline Dion‘s unrivaled vocal talent propelled her to superstardom, with best-selling records that continue to capture audiences around the world. The Canadian superstar has sold an estimated 200 to 250 million records worldwide, and her signature song “My Heart Will Go On” from the film Titanic became the second-highest-selling physical single by a woman in history, per Billboard. Dion’s resilience and continued success underscore her legacy as one of the most influential vocalists in music history.

This story 15 of the Wealthiest Female Icons of the ’90s first appeared on InTouch Weekly. Follow InTouch Weekly on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.