They may not make as much as their male counterparts, but females in sports have shown over the years that they can earn a really nice paycheck from playing a similar role in both success in their sport and in marketing, making a select few a powerhouse in bringing in cash. But which female athletes have done it better than others? I answer that for you here, with the top-20 richest female athletes ever.
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20. Yani Tseng – $6.1 million
A former No. 1 player in the world, the slide of LPGA golfer Yani Tseng has been one that is a bit shocking, but, thanks to such success early in her career, it’s a little bit understood. Still just 25 years old, Tseng has won five major titles and could seriously be considered for the Hall of Fame, which has earned her over $6 million in her career.
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19. Agnieszka Radwanska – $6.9 million
A current top-3 player in the world rankings right now, Polish tennis star Agnieszka Radwanska has put together a nice career thus far. Still just 25 years old, Radwanska has won 14 career singles tiles and, recently, just reached a Grand Slam final earlier this year. With her earnings and sponsorship deals, she has made nearly $7 million in her short lifetime.
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18. Cristie Kerr – $7 million
After turning pro in 1996, women’s golfer Cristie Kerr has put together quite the career, earning $7 million through both prize money and sponsorships. With two major championships on her resume, over 16 LPGA Tour wins and, at one time, the top ranking in the world, it’s easy to see why Kerr has made so much money.
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17. Inbee Park – $7.9 million
Another, young golfer—she’s still just 26 years old—South Korean golfer Inbee Park held the No. 1 world ranking as recently as earlier this summer, proving that she’s still quite the threat in any tournament she plays in. And having won five majors has certainly helped keep her on opponents’ minds, and have helped earn her $7.9 million.
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16. Paula Creamer – $8 million
Nicknamed “The Pink Panther” thanks to her bright outfits, Paula Creamer has been one of the most steady golfers on the LPGA Tour in the past decade or so. Ranked as high as No. 2 in the world rankings and having one major title to her credit, Creamer has been fortunate enough to make $8 million.
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15. Ana Ivanovic – $12 million
One of tennis’ most marketable players, Serbian Ana Ivanovic also has the game to match her success off the court, too. A former No. 1-ranked player, Ana went from great to mediocre and back to great, earning her fair share of wins over the past two years. Thanks to her defeats of other greats in the sport, Ivanovic has earned $12 million in her career.
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14. Lorena Ochoa – $15 million
Retiring back in 2010, Mexican golfer Lorena Ochoa left a lasting impression on her opponents in the sport, as she was the top-ranked player on the LPGA Tour for over three years. Thanks to her 27 career wins and two major championships, it’s no wonder Ochoa is considered as the best Mexican golfer ever, helping her earn $15 million.
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13. Jelena Jankovic – $15 million
One of the more consistent players in tennis, Serbian Jelena Jankovic is a former No. 1-ranked player in the world who has won a doubles Grand Slam, but never a singles one. That hasn’t stopped her from putting together a nice career, though, as Jelena has won 13 total tournaments. That type of success has helped her earn $15 million.
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12. Victoria Azarenka – $15 million
Another former top-ranked player in the world, tennis star Victoria Azarenka has won two Australian Opens in her career and reached the finals of the U.S. Open in back-to-back years in 2012 and ’13. With charisma and great tennis skills, Azarenka has provided $15 million to her own bank account.
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11. Karrie Webb – $15 million
With 56 professional wins over the course of her 20-year career—including 41 on the LPGA Tour—Australia’s Karrie Webb holds down the active leader in that category. She’s also won seven majors in those two decades, showing that she’s one of the best ever. A future Hall of Famer, Webb still puts herself in position to win anytime she steps up to the tee.
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10. Danica Patrick – $18 million
Although racer Danica Patrick might be thought of as somewhat overhyped, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been successful in one thing—earning money. With a net worth of $18 million, Danica might still be looking for her first ever victory around the track, but she’s leading her peers in marketing opportunities, helping her maintain quite the paychecks each and every year.
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9. Lindsay Davenport – $20 million
A great player during her days on the women’s tour, former tennis star Lindsay Davenport helped inspire more than a few American-born girls to pursue a career in the sport. A former No. 1-ranked player, Lindsay walked away from tennis in 2011, but not before earning $20 million, winning three Grand Slam singles tournaments and an Olympic gold medal, helping her earn a spot in the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.
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8. Caroline Wozniacki – $20 million
Unlike a few other ladies on this list, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki has shown that she’s more than just another pretty face, as she was once atop the world rankings. Currently No. 8 in the world, Wozniacki may have dipped a bit, but her game is still solid, making the 24-year-old a force to be reckoned with when she’s on the court. Still searching for her first Grand Slam singles title, Caroline can take solace that she has already earned $20 million.
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7. Kim Yuna – $21 million
Although she’s still just 24 years old, South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna figured that she had had enough of the competitive life, hanging up her skates following 2014’s Winter Olympics in Sochi. Still, that didn’t stop her from gaining a net worth of $21 million, going down as one of the best skaters of the past eight years, winning an Olympic gold medal in 2010 and a silver in her final competition in 2014.
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6. Annika Sorenstam – $40 million
Arguably the most-dominating women’s golfer ever, Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam dominated her era like no other female athlete had. Winning 93 international competitions, 72 LPGA tournaments and 10 majors, it’s no wonder Sorenstam earned so much money in her career, topping the LPGA’s career money list with $22 million and topping out at $40 million altogether.
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5. Li Na – $40 million
Recently retired, Li Na was a tennis player who was vastly underrated. Although she only earned two Grand Slam titles in her career, she peaked at No. 2 in the world at one point and earned $40 million, making her someone who was definitely feared by opponents and often put herself in position to win any tournament.
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4. Anna Kournikova – $50 million
Of all the women’s players on this list, seeing former Russian competitor Anna Kournikova sitting fourth is a little bit surprising. Generally disappointing in her tennis career, Kournikova’s days on the court weren’t all that memorable, yet she made serious coin when it came to marketing. Using her good looks and fame for a variety of brands, Anna earned $50 million.
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3. Venus Williams – $75 million
A former No. 1-ranked player in the world, the eldest Williams sister, Venus, might not be as polarizing as sibling Serena, but that doesn’t mean she’s no slouch in her own right. With $75 million to her name thanks to both her tennis career and marketing roles, Venus has proven that she’s every bit as talented as anyone on tour—and her family—making her the third highest-paid women’s athlete ever.
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2. Maria Sharapova – $90 million
Currently ranked No. 2 in the world, Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova is in the conversation as the best player on the women’s tour, right now. With 33 career singles titles and five Grand Slams, the 27-year-old was named the highest-grossing female athlete in 2014, making her a star who is still showing what she’s all about.
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1. Serena Williams – $120 million
Arguably the greatest female tennis player to ever step onto a court, Serena Williams is still the current No. 1 player in the world and won 2014’s last Grand Slam singles tournament, the U.S. Open. With 18 total Grand Slams and the face of numerous marketing campaigns and her own clothing line, Serena is making bank that should make anyone envious.
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