Who is the richest female athlete?
Who Is the Richest Female Athlete in 2025?
While Coco Gauff leads in annual earnings, when considering overall net worth, Serena Williams remains unparalleled. With an estimated net worth of $340 million, Williams has built a substantial business empire alongside her record-breaking tennis career. Her wealth stems from a combination of prize money, endorsements with major brands like Nike and Gatorade, and investments through her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures.
A Look at the Top 10 Highest-Paid Women in Sports
The world of sports is no longer just dominated by men when it comes to fame and fortune. In 2025, female athletes are not only breaking records on the field but also making monumental strides off the field through endorsements, business ventures, and media deals. At the forefront of this shift is Coco Gauff, who leads the chart as the highest-paid female athlete in the world this year.
Coco Gauff – The Rising Star Who Took the Lead
Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, tops the list with $34.4 million in total earnings. After winning her first Grand Slam title at the US Open and performing consistently in WTA tournaments, she secured $9.4 million in prize money. But what truly propelled her to the top were her $25 million in endorsements. Major brands like New Balance, Rolex, UPS, Bose, and L’Oreal have flocked to partner with her due to her massive popularity, positive public image, and growing social influence.
Richest by Net Worth: Serena Williams Still Reigns
While Coco leads in annual earnings, Serena Williams still holds the title of the richest female athlete by net worth, with an estimated $340 million. Despite retiring from professional tennis, Serena has built an empire through:
- Endorsements with Nike, Gatorade, and Wilson
- Investments through her firm, Serena Ventures
- Fashion and media projects, including her own clothing line
Her influence spans well beyond tennis and makes her one of the most powerful women in global sports and business.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Female Athletes of 2025
Here are the top-earning female athletes globally, based on combined on-field earnings (prize money, salaries) and off-field income (endorsements, appearances, business deals):
| RANK | ATHLETE | SPORT | TOTAL EARNINGS | ON-FIELD | OFF-FIELD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coco Gauff | Tennis | $34.4M | $9.4M | $25M |
| 2 | Iga Świątek | Tennis | $23.8M | $8.8M | $15M |
| 3 | Eileen Gu | Freestyle Skiing | $22.1M | $0.1M | $22M |
| 4 | Qinwen Zheng | Tennis | $20.6M | $5.6M | $15M |
| 5 | Aryna Sabalenka | Tennis | $18.7M | $9.7M | $9M |
| 6 Activewear | Emma Raducanu | Tennis | $12.9M | $0.9M | $12M |
| 7 | Nelly Korda | Golf | $12.5M | $4.5M | $8M |
| 8 | Venus Williams | Tennis | $12.1M | $0.1M | $12M |
| 9 | Simone Biles | Gymnastics | $11.2M | $0.2M | $11M |
| 10 | Jessica Pegula | Tennis | $10.2M | $4.2M | $6M |
Here’s a breakdown of the top-earning female athletes in 2025, based on combined on-field and off-field income:
