Nicki Minaj Net Worth

What is Nicki Minaj's net worth?

Nicki Minaj is a Trinidadian-American rapper, model, actress, and R&B singer-songwriter who has a net worth of $130 million. Nicki Minaj is one of the most influential and commercially successful rappers of all time, known for her rapid-fire flow, sharp wordplay, theatrical alter egos, and bold fashion choices. She first gained major attention in the late 2000s through mixtapes like "Playtime Is Over" and "Beam Me Up Scotty," which showcased her versatility and star potential. In 2010, she released her debut album "Pink Friday," featuring the smash hit "Super Bass," which cemented her as a mainstream pop-rap force. The album went multi-platinum and launched Minaj into global superstardom.

Her follow-up albums, including "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" (2012), "The Pinkprint" (2014), and "Queen" (2018), produced numerous chart-topping singles such as "Starships," "Anaconda," "Chun-Li," and collaborations like "Bang Bang" with Jessie J and Ariana Grande. Known for her animated delivery and ability to shift between rap and pop, Minaj became the first female solo artist to have seven singles simultaneously charting on the Billboard Hot 100. She has broken multiple records, including being the first female rapper to surpass 100 entries on the Hot 100.

Beyond her solo work, Minaj has been a highly sought-after collaborator, contributing verses to hits like Kanye West's "Monster," David Guetta's "Turn Me On," and Drake's "Moment 4 Life." Her collaborations expanded her influence into pop, EDM, and R&B, solidifying her status as a cross-genre powerhouse.

In addition to music, Minaj has built a brand around her distinct persona, serving as a judge on "American Idol," appearing in films like "The Other Woman," and launching fragrance and fashion lines. With more than a decade at the top of the industry, she is celebrated not only for her chart success but also for paving the way for a new generation of female rappers who cite her as a trailblazer and inspiration.

(Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images For Entertainment Weekly)

Early Life

Nicki Minaj was born Onika Tanya Maraj in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago, on December 8, 1982. She is the second of five children, with two brothers and two sisters. During her early years, she lived with her grandmother in Saint James while her mother, Carol, pursued studies at Monroe College in New York City. When Minaj was five, her mother relocated the family to Queens, New York. Carol supported the family through jobs in payroll and accounting, while Nicki's father, Robert, struggled with substance abuse and a violent temper. His addictions led to turmoil at home, and in December 1987 he set fire to the family house, an event that left a lasting impact on Minaj's outlook and determination.

As a teenager, Minaj discovered her passion for performing arts. She auditioned for and was accepted into the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, where she studied acting. After graduation, she pursued theater and appeared in the Off-Broadway play "In Case You Forget." To make ends meet, Minaj worked a string of service jobs, including at Red Lobster in the Bronx, though she was fired for being rude to customers. She later joked she had been fired from at least 15 jobs for the same reason, which pushed her to chase a career in entertainment more aggressively.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Career

Minaj's music career began with mixtapes that drew attention for her animated flow and fearless personality. She released "Playtime Is Over" in 2007, followed by "Sucka Free" in 2008, which earned her the Female Artist of the Year award at the Underground Music Awards. In 2009, she released her breakthrough mixtape "Beam Me Up Scotty," which featured the single "I Get Crazy" and brought her mainstream recognition. Around this time, Lil Wayne discovered her and signed her to Young Money Entertainment, placing her alongside future superstars like Drake.

Her debut album, "Pink Friday," arrived in 2010 and became a global hit, selling over 4 million copies and producing chart-topping singles such as "Super Bass." In 2012, she followed with "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded," which leaned into a more pop and EDM-driven sound with hits like "Starships" and "Pound the Alarm." She returned to her rap roots with "The Pinkprint" in 2014, a critically acclaimed project featuring songs like "Anaconda," "Only," and "Truffle Butter." In 2018, she released "Queen," which included the singles "Chun-Li" and "Barbie Dreams," debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and later going Platinum.

Beyond albums, Minaj became one of the most sought-after collaborators in the industry, delivering memorable verses on tracks like Kanye West's "Monster," Drake's "Moment 4 Life," and Jessie J's "Bang Bang." In 2017, she surpassed Aretha Franklin's longstanding record for most Billboard Hot 100 entries by a female artist, a testament to her prolific output and crossover appeal. She has collected more than 100 major awards, including six American Music Awards, 10 BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, and two People's Choice Awards, and she has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards.

Outside of music, Minaj expanded her presence into television and film. She joined "American Idol" as a judge in 2013, appeared in the comedy "The Other Woman," and lent her voice to animated films such as "Ice Age: Continental Drift." Her larger-than-life persona and impact on pop culture have cemented her as one of the most influential female rappers of all time.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for BMI

Aretha Franklin Billboard Record

In 2017, Nicki Minaj made history by surpassing a record that had belonged to Aretha Franklin for nearly four decades. With the release of three singles in March of that year—"No Frauds" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne, "Changed It" with Lil Wayne, and her solo track "Regret in Your Tears"—Minaj brought her career total of Billboard Hot 100 entries to 76, overtaking Franklin's 73. For context, Aretha had held the title since 1977, when her song "Break It to Me Gently" secured her 54th Hot 100 appearance, edging past Connie Francis. While Franklin was the sole credited artist on all of her charting songs, Minaj's tally included dozens of guest features, reflecting modern pop and hip-hop's collaborative nature. That distinction sparked debate, but it also highlighted how Minaj became one of the most in-demand voices of her era. At the time she broke Franklin's record, Minaj ranked ninth overall among all artists with Hot 100 appearances, behind her frequent collaborators Drake and Lil Wayne as well as the unlikely chart leaders—the cast of "Glee."

(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Endorsement Income

Minaj's commercial appeal has made her a magnet for endorsements and brand collaborations. In November 2010, she partnered with MAC Cosmetics to release the lipstick "Pink 4 Friday," which sold out quickly and tied into the launch of "Pink Friday." In 2012, she co-headlined the Viva Glam campaign with Ricky Martin, raising more than $270 million for the MAC AIDS Fund. That same year, she starred in a massive Times Square event for the Nokia Lumia 900 and appeared in Pepsi's "LiveForNow" campaign, which featured a remix of her single "Moment 4 Life."

In 2014, she became the face of Roberto Cavalli's spring/summer campaign, bringing her distinctive style into the fashion world. She later fronted H&M's 2017 holiday campaign and has continued to collaborate with global brands. In addition, Minaj launched her own fragrance line, which includes multiple successful perfumes, further diversifying her income streams and brand portfolio.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Personal Life

Nicki Minaj's personal life has often drawn as much attention as her music. She was in a long-term relationship with rapper Safaree Samuels from 2000 until their split in 2014. She later dated rapper Meek Mill from 2015 to early 2017. In late 2018, she rekindled a childhood romance with Kenneth "Zoo" Petty. The couple obtained a marriage license in August 2019 and officially tied the knot that October. In September 2020, they welcomed their first child, a son affectionately nicknamed "Papa Bear."

Petty's legal history has been a source of controversy throughout their relationship. He is a registered sex offender in New York due to a 1995 attempted rape conviction and also served time for a manslaughter conviction stemming from a 2002 shooting. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender after moving to California with Minaj, resulting in probation and home confinement. His ongoing legal issues have often placed Minaj in the spotlight, as critics have questioned her decision to stand by him.

Beyond her marriage, Minaj has faced several family tragedies. In July 2011, her cousin Nicholas Telemaque was murdered in Brooklyn, an event she later addressed in her songs "Champion" and "All Things Go." In 2017, her Los Angeles home was burglarized, with thieves causing extensive damage and stealing $200,000 worth of items. In 2020, her brother Jelani was sentenced to 25 years to life after being convicted of predatory sexual assault against a child, a case that brought unwanted headlines.

ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images

Real Estate

For about a decade, Nicki Minaj was primarily a renter and did not own any real estate in the US. For example, starting in August 2016, Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill rented a mansion in Beverly Hills for $35,000 a month. The home was built in 2008 on the site of Frank Sinatra's former residence. The 10,340-square-foot home has panoramic views of the city and mountains. The house features a two-story foyer, a large living room with a fireplace, and arched French doors leading outside. There's an eat-in kitchen, a wood-lined library with built-ins, a formal dining room, and a family room, as well as eight bedrooms. The outdoor space includes a swimming pool, spa, and a barbecue. Once they broke up, Mill moved out, and the mansion was all hers until February 2018, when she moved out.

For the next several years, Nicki rented a mansion in Calabasas, California.

Nicki finally acquired her own property in late 2022. Nicki paid $19.5 million for a home in Hidden Hills, California, in December 2022. The 12,000-square-foot mansion was newly built and never even made it to the market before Minaj scooped it up.

Who's Richer?

Nicki
Minaj

Compare!

Cardi
B