In this world of mega endorsements and lucrative publicity, fame is wealth. You don't have to be a movie star or a pop icon to swim in millions and billions. Even public figures such as politicians, whose wages alone couldn't make them seven or eight figures, have become multi-millionaires thanks to the power of their fame.

In this list, we'll be looking at the wealth of America's biggest stars, including your favorite politicians. Hopefully, by the end of the list, you'll be able to understand why someone like Barack Obama can command multi-millions even though his salary as a president was "just" $400K.

Jimmy Carter - $10 Million

Jimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States of America. During his tenure, he became one of the world's most influential figures. He also earned a nice paycheck—up to $200K per year.

Life after the presidency has been good to the Georgia-born man—he reportedly collects an annual pension of $208K and takes home $150K per year as an entire staff of Secret Service protection. His earnings and endeavors in total have built him an impressive fortune of $10 million. Carter set a unique record in October 2021 when he became the first former United States president to live to the age of 97.

Bill Clinton - $120 Million

Bill Clinton is undoubtedly one of the most popular presidents of the United States. His eight-year tenure from 1993 to 2001 made him one of the most influential public figures in the world. His huge fame and connections might explain why he's one of the richest ex-presidents, with a huge $120 million net worth.

As president, Clinton was taking home $200K a year plus an extra $50 in expenses. Since he left the office, he hasn't avoided the public limelight but has instead spent his time benefiting humanitarian organizations and giving speeches. In 2020, he served as a member of the United States Electoral College.

Mitt Romney - $300 Million

United States senators make quite a nice living. A look at Mitt Romney's account would prove this beyond doubt. The junior United States senator is reportedly worth $300 million, a huge fortune by any standards.

Romney's job as a senator isn't the foundation of his wealth, however, as he only resumed the post in 2019. He has an impressive history as a politician and business executive. He was once the chief executive officer (CEO) of Bain & Company before he started focusing on politics. He also served as the 70th governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007.

Barack Obama - $70 Million

Barack Obama's unique status as the first black president of the United States made him a global icon. He was reportedly making an annual salary of $400K as well as an additional $50K as payment for expenses. Even though he's stepped down since 2017, Obama still makes quite a lot.

He reportedly collects $244K for his pension, not counting the $400K he reportedly makes per speech. Being a public figure has been very lucrative for Obama, to the extent that he signed a massive production deal with Netflix in 2018. When you consider all that financial power, his $70 million net worth doesn't look so surprising.

George W. Bush - $40 Million

George W. Bush was the 43rd president of the United States. He was the second member of the famous Bush family to become a United States president, his father being the first. Many would agree that it's his presidential tenure that would be remembered the most.

As president, Bush was collecting $400K yearly and $50K for expenses. He's kept a low profile since vacating the White House, but that doesn't seem to have affected his financial power. Even for an ex-president, his $40 million net worth is quite impressive. He did appear in the papers in 2021, following his September speech at the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Kamala Harris - $7 Million

Kamala Harris made history when she became vice president of the United States in January 2021. Not only did she become the first female vice president, but she was also the highest-ranking female official in United States history. Based on reports, Harris should be taking home at least $235,100 yearly from her job.

That's a nice figure, but the bulk of her $7 million fortune comes from her marriage and joint assets with her lawyer husband, Douglas Emhoff. Apart from Emhoff's massive wages and Kamala's paycheck, the couple has also done some good real estate investing.

Mike Pence - $1 Million

As the vice president of the United States during Donald Trump's tenure, Mike Pence was assisting the president with his public duties and diplomatic assignments. He was also taking home an annual reported salary of $230,700.

Being a vice president has done loads of good for Pence. Not only is he likely to get paid a lifetime pension of $85K per year, his paycheck from the government has boosted his financial power to the 7-figure range. He's now worth $1 million. Since vacating his post in 2021, he's spent his time on humanitarian efforts and a few media deals.

Nancy Pelosi - $120 Million

Nancy Pelosi has been serving as the speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2019. This is her second tenure in the same position, as she previously held the job from 2007 to 2011. Her distinguished political career, however, goes far back. As of 1987, she was already a United States representative from California.

Back then, she was reportedly making $89,500 as a member of Congress. Now, she receives an annual paycheck of $223,500 as a speaker. In total, her earnings, as well as her joint ventures with her husband, have built her an estimated fortune of $120 million.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - $200K

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made history in 2019 when she became the youngest woman to ever join the United States Congress. She has since served as the representative for New York's 14th congressional district.

Although she's not a millionaire, contrary to some false reports, her noteworthy political position has likely saved her from a life of living paycheck to paycheck. As of 2020, she had student loan debt ranging from $15K to $50k. She now reportedly boasts a net worth of $200K, much of which comes from her $174K income as a congresswoman.

Condoleezza Rice - $12 Million

Condoleeza Rice's political career has seen her set records and attain heights that others never have. Not only was she the first female African-American secretary of state, but she was also the first female to serve as National Security Advisor. With such a distinguished career, it's hardly a surprise that can boast a net worth of $12 million.

Although she's been relatively quiet since she stepped down from her political role, her influence in the world of politics remains unquestionable. Since 2009, she's mostly worked at Stanford University as a political science professor. In 2020, she became the director of the Hoover Institution.

Dick Cheney - $100 Million

Dick Cheney has been regarded as the most powerful vice president in United States history. Since leaving office in 2009, he's been publicly active with political statements and endorsements, like the one he made of Donald Trump in 2016.

Regardless of his controversial reputation, the Nebraska native has been able to accumulate a massive fortune. A lot of his $100 million fortune comes from when he was the CEO of oil company Haliburton from 1995 to 2000. At the time, he was receiving a base income of $12.5 million and up to $20 million in benefits. He also had an additional $40 million in stocks.

Hillary Rodham Clinton – $120 Million

Hillary Rodham Clinton is one of the most influential female figures in United States politics. She was close to becoming the first female president of the country in 2016, but she lost the election after failing to win the electoral college. That moment hardly says enough about Clinton's distinguished career—she's served as both a senator and a secretary of state at different points in the past.

Her level of influence and popularity has seen her make way more than her political income could afford her. By making money as an author and public speaker, she's been able to amass a fortune of $120 million.

Al Gore - $300 Million

Al Gore was the vice president of the United States during Bill Clinton's tenure. Gore might not have been as popular as some famous political figures, but he's been quite successful. Since vacating his post in 2001, not only has he launched several business ventures, he's also won a Nobel Peace Prize for his environmental activism.

He's a member of the Board of Directors of Apple Inc. and also serves as a senior adviser to Google. When you consider his multiple investments in farming, movie production, finance, and software, his $300 million starts to look less shocking. He appeared in a Buzzfeed video about climate change in 2018.

Elizabeth Warren – $8 Million

Elizabeth Warren is one of the most outspoken and influential politicians in the United States. She's been serving as a United States senator from Massachusetts since 2013. In 2020, she briefly considered running for the presidency but later changed her mind and withdrew from the race.

Warren might have missed the presidential seat but she remains one of the most popular politicians in the country. Her finances have been great as well, thanks to her $175K salary from the senate and her authorship deals. In total, she's said to be worth $8 million.

Sarah Palin - $8 Million

Life as a political commentator and public figure can be very lucrative, judging by Sarah Palin's net worth. The Idaho native is said to be worth up to $8 million thanks to her political activities and media ventures.

She will be remembered for providing political commentary for Fox News from 2010 to 2015, but that's far from her only foray into politics. She has previously served as the first female governor of Alaska from 2006 to 2009. Palin's political career is still on full steam, as she announced her intention to run for the Senate in 2021.

Ted Cruz - $4 Million

Being a United States senator is a lifetime achievement for others but for Ted Cruz, it seems to be just the beginning. He's made no secret of his lofty ambitions in his political career—he ran for the presidency in 2016 and only backed out when Donald Trump emerged as the primary Republican candidate.

As a member of the Senate, Cruz is entitled to an annual salary of $174K but his huge public profile suggests that's not his only source of income. He's been able to amass up to $4 million so far, which is impressive, even for a senator. In 2020, he started a podcast called "Verdict with Ted Cruz."

Kevin McCarthy - $300,000

Kevin McCarthy has been in the political game since 2002, and he's assumed several political positions in the process. His public profile began to increase following his huge support of Donald Trump and his famous controversies on Twitter. Although he's faced much criticism as a result, McCarthy's career hasn't declined by any means.

In 2019, he became a House Minority Leader in the House of Representatives. According to sources, minority leaders receive a base pay of $193,400. This certainly contributes to a huge chunk of McCarthy's net worth, which is said to be $300K.

Elizabeth Dole - $40 Million

Elizabeth Dole is another prominent politician whose public profile has contributed a lot to her wealth. Her long political career has seen her serve in different positions under three different presidents—Nixon, Reagan, and Bush.

Although she hasn't held any major political office since she left the Senate in 2009, Dole hasn't been idle. Far from it, she's launched humanitarian efforts. Thanks to her influence as a public speaker and author, as well as her marriage to politician Bob Dole. she can boast a net worth of $40 million. Unfortunately, Bob passed away in 2021 at the ripe age of 98.

Nikki Haley - $2 Million

Before Nikki Haley left her post as the United States ambassador to the United Nations in January 2019, she had first served as the first female governor of South Carolina. These accomplishments are among several in what has been a long and outspoken political career for the South Carolina native.

She wasn't always into politics, as earlier in her life, she had worked as a chief financial officer for her family's clothing business. Having said that, it's safe to assume she knows her way around money. Her comfortable $2 million fortune is enough proof that she has a good hold on her finances.

Tom Brady – $250 Million

Far far away from the world of politics lies Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time. Not only is he the only quarterback with seven Super Bowl titles, he is also the oldest quarterback to have ever won a Super Bowl. He did this with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 when he was aged 43 years.

Brady joined the Buccaneers in 2020 with a contract deal that saw him make $25 million in a year and more than $40 million in 2021, according to sources. He has enjoyed such huge earnings for most of his NFL career, which explains why he's worth a whopping $250 million.

Celine Dion – $800 Million

When you're one of the most successful pop singers in history, it's only natural that you have a fat account. Celine Dion has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artists of all time.

Her astounding record sales are not her only source of wealth. She reportedly performs 70 times a year and makes $500K per performance. These endeavors, along with her multiple ventures and endorsements, have contributed to her massive $800 million fortune. Hungry for more success, Dion launched her Courage World Tour in 2019.

George Clooney – $500 Million

Who wouldn't remember George Clooney from the iconic 2001 film "Ocean's Eleven"? Clooney has enjoyed a hugely successful career that has spanned more than four decades. In the process, he's earned a reputation as one of the richest actors in Hollywood. In 2018 alone, he made up to $239 million.

Despite Clooney's huge wealth, he's not done laughing all the way to the bank. In 2020, he went after another nice paycheck by starring in the movie "The Midnight Sky." With the amount of cash he's made in his career, it's no surprise he's worth up to $500 million.

Julia Roberts – $250 Million

Hardly anyone can dispute that Julia Roberts is one of the most talented actresses in the movie industry. She already has the accolades to prove that—her Oscar and three Golden Globes are a rare accomplishment—but it's the amount of money she pulls as an actress that makes her quality unquestionable.

Roberts was the world's highest-paid actress for most of the '90s. Even after the end of that decade, she's continued to remain lucrative, as proven by her $200 million wealth. She reportedly makes up to $30 million per year from her paychecks and endorsements. No doubt she had a nice take-home for her role in the 2021 series "Gaslit."

Jack Nicholson – $400 Million

Known for his love of basketball and his villainous movie roles, Jack Nicholson is an actor respected by many in Hollywood. Acting is not the only source of Nicholson's massive $400 million fortune, as he has up to $100 million in real estate as well as $150 million in an art collection.

But his financial success as an actor can't be denied. The "Easy Rider" star has made anything from $1 million to $15 million for his performances. He seems to have left the acting scene since he appeared in the 2010 movie "How Do You Know."

Steven Tyler – $150 Million

 

Steven Tyler will forever be remembered for his iconic stage performances with his band Aerosmith. Turns out screaming can be very lucrative, as the Demon of Screamin, as he's popularly called, can boast of a net worth of $150 million. This makes Tyler one of the richest members of Aerosmith, along with band member Joe Perry.

A lot of his fortune certainly comes from endorsements and record sales. Aerosmith has sold more than 150 million records, making them the best-selling hard rock band in history. Five decades on the line, and the band is still going. They started their Deuces are Wild concert residency in 2019.

Matt Lauer – $80 Million

You don't have to be a movie star to swim in wealth and Matt Lauer is enough proof of that. As a former presenter on NBC, he's amassed an impressive $80 million fortune. That's almost to be expected, considering he reportedly racked up earnings of more than $100 million during his long stint with the media outlet.

At some point, he was said to have signed a new deal that would see him make $28 million a year. Things were looking great for Lauer and he was about to become even more successful until the controversial incident that led to him being fired from NBC in 2017.

Tina Turner – $250 Million

Tina Turner is called the queen of rock and roll for a reason. Her astounding music career has seen her sell more than 100 million records worldwide. With such amazing sales, she's been able to build a reported net worth of $250 million.

Record sales are not Turner's only source of income, as she also makes a lot of profit from her tours and endorsements. She's not as active or popular as she was from the '60s to the '00s, but her legacy remains fresh. She was given a befitting honor in 2021 after she was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame for the second time.

Mariah Carey – $320 Million

People call Mariah Carey the queen of Christmas, but she's so much more than just that. The "Hero" singer has more than just Christmas hits. She's released chart-topping and record-breaking hits that have seen her win five Grammy awards. She's also sold more than 200 million records, making her one of the highest-selling artists in history.

Such achievements are certainly a huge reason why Carey can boast of being worth $320 million. Following the approach of festivities in 2021, fans were expecting her to drop a Christmas special and she didn't disappoint. She released "Fall in Love at Christmas" in November 2021.

Peter Jackson – $500 Million

When you're the director of iconic movies like "Lord of the Rings" and King Kong," you're expected to be wealthy. Peter Jackson doesn't disappoint in that regard, as he belongs in the ten-figure club. His estimated $1 billion net worth, although massive, isn't surprising, considering his movies have grossed over $6.5 billion globally.

Such an achievement makes him the third-highest director of all time. It also means he can decide to never work a day for the rest of his life. But Jackson couldn't be further from making such a decision. He was back in action in 2021 when he directed a mini-series titled "The Beatles: Get Back."

Cher - $360 Million

Many '60s babies would miss the glorious era of the iconic couple Sonny & Cher. The unforgettable duo split in the '70s, and Cher went on to launch one of the most successful female music careers the world has ever seen. With Sonny, she sold more than 40 million records. As a solo artist, she's sold up to 100 million.

Her undeniable success has also benefitted from her lucrative tours and endorsements. Cher's massive career earnings have built her a fortune of $360 million. Following her return to acting in 2018, she starred in the series "Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?" in 2021.

Salma Hayek – $200 Million

Following Salma Hayek's memorable performance in the 2017 blockbuster "The Hitman's Bodyguard," she once again emerged as a Hollywood favorite. She's since starred in several popular big-screen projects, including the 2021 movies "Eternals" and "House of Gucci."

Of course, the Veracruz native has been known long before her recent popularity. She's been acting since 1988 and has starred in '90s classics like "Desperado" and "Wild Wild West." In Hayek's long and successful career, she's received nice paychecks, all of which have built her a net worth of $200 million. She's also married to French billionaire Francois Pinault, although she's mentioned she has little interest in his wealth.

Ben Affleck – $150 Million

When people talk about the best actors to have played Batman, they might mention Christian Bale, and they might mention Ben Affleck. Affleck took on the character of the Gotham superhero in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." He went on to play the character in a few DC movies until he vacated the role for Robert Pattinson in 2021.

Affleck's rodeo as Batman hardly says enough about his accomplished career. He's been making big money from big-screen movies since the '90s and '00s. He's not about to stop anytime soon, even after accumulating a $150 million fortune. He played Uncle Charlie in the 2021 movie "The Tender Bar."

Kate Winslet – $65 Million

Kate Winslet has her unforgettable performance in "Titanic" to thank for her popularity. The 1997 movie became hugely popular and successful, so did Kate Winslet's career. Although she refused to star in big-screen movies for much of her career, she was making up her silence at the block office with multiple accolades.

That's not to say she doesn't receive huge paychecks. For her much-praised performance in the 2021 series "Mare of Easttown," she reportedly received a salary of $650K per episode. With her type of financial power, it's no wonder she can boast of being worth $65 million.

Saoirse Ronan – $7 Million

Saoirse Ronan's acting career is relatively young compared to most actors on this list, but she has already achieved a lot. Before clocking her thirties, she'd already been nominated twice for an Oscar and had won a Golden Globe award.

With her level of talent and reputation, there's no doubt she can command nice paychecks from her movies. Her estimated $7 million fortune suggests she's not doing bad in that regard. It's only the beginning for Ronan, and she made it clear she has what it takes to be at the top with her performance in the 2021 movie "The French Dispatch."

Jamie Dornan – $14 Million

From appearing in campaigns for Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein to starring in the Fifty Shades movies. Jamie Dornan has had quite a career. He first gained an international audience with his performance in "Once Upon a Time," but it was his starring role in "Fifty Shades of Grey" that made him a massive international movie star.

Dornan had been making a nice income since the early '00s, thanks to his very successful career as a model. His equally successful acting career has no doubt even made him richer. Already worth $14 million, he was looking to make even more cash when he starred in the 2021 movie "Belfast."

Charlie Hunnam – $20 Million

Charlie Hunnam is another strikingly handsome actor with enough money to buy a nice yacht. Many people discovered him from his role as the lead character in "Nicholas Nickleby," but it wasn't until he appeared in "Sons of Anarchy" that he became a household name.

Before his stint on "Sons of Anarchy," Hunnam was reportedly worth $8 million. His paycheck from the series has obviously made him richer, as he's now worth $20 million. That's an impressive figure, but the "Crimson Peak" actor is gunning for more. He appeared in "Last Looks" in 2021.

Josh Brolin – $45 Million

You might not have noticed it immediately but Josh Brolin is the man who played the famous character of Thanos in the Avenger movies. As with any actor that's employed by the Marvel Cinematic universe, Brolin's reputation rose after he took on Thanos's character in "Avengers: Infinity War."

He was reportedly paid between $5 million and $6 million for his role, although the movie itself grossed more than $2 billion. Brolin has been in Hollywood since the '80s but his Thanos role is arguably his highest call-to-fame and perhaps the major influence in his $45 million net worth. He starred in another blockbuster titled "Dune" in 2021.

Gene Hackman – $80 Million

Gene Hackman quit acting as early as 2004 but he's still so well-to-do that he can boast of being worth $80 million. His huge fortune seems a mystery considering he hasn't taken on any acting projects since he starred in "Welcome to Mooseport" in 2004, according to his IMDb profile.

Although there's hardly a doubt that Hackman has made good investments, his astounding career from the '60s to the '00s is more than capable of building him his vast riches. The "Bonnie and Clyde" actor is also an author, having released up to five novels.

Kanye West - Net Worth - $1.8 Billion