Reality TV Stars Who Are Worth More Than You Thought

Once upon a time, you had to be an actor or actress in order to make millions of dollars as a part of a popular show's cast. But for over two decades now, some of the most entertaining performers onscreen are those who aren't sticking to a script, but are instead stirring up drama as reality TV stars. And they're turning their fame (and infamy) into massive fortunes.

But according to Business Insider, earning reality TV wealth not a straightforward transaction. "Most people starring on reality shows are making salaries that supplement the ones they make at their actual jobs, from their businesses, or from other opportunities afforded them by being on TV, such as licensing deals, book contracts, appearances, or food and liquor products," the outlet noted. On top of that, "if the talent is also a producer or gets any cut of the profits, then that can mean bigger paychecks." However, there are those who are considered to be top-tier talent and they do indeed earn a fair share from the shows while also banking big-time with their other endeavors.

The names that you'll find on this list are mostly among the latter. Frankly, the stars of some of your favorite shows are bringing in funds from every direction and they have so much money that you'll probably be surprised to find out just how much these reality TV stars are really worth.

Who's your favorite member of the Jersey Shore cast? Is it Paul Delvecchio, aka Pauly D? If so, then you're among the fans who helped launch him to reality superstar status, which, in turn, earned him $20 million thanks to more than just his onscreen antics.

While appearing on Jersey Shore as well as a Double Shot At Love With Pauly D and Vinny, The Pauly D Project, and eventually Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, Delvecchio's unabashed charm — and signature hairstyle — made him a fan favorite. That's why he continued to ink deals for appearances on shows like Famously Single and Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars, working his way up to a salary of $150 thousand per episode, according to Celebrity Net Worth. 

Delvecchio also used his reality TV fame to boost his DJing profile, which is why by 2016, he was making over $11 million a year spinning records, nabbing him the #7 spot on Forbes' top-earning DJs list. Delvecchio talked about his success, saying, "Everybody was skeptical at first, because how everybody heard about me is probably from Jersey Shore. But now ... I've been touring all over the country, touring with major pop acts and stuff like that. That legitimizes everything, and they're starting to say, 'This kid isn't just a reality star, he's an actual DJ.'" More accurately, he's a ridiculously rich reality star and DJ.

You may recognize Shaunie O'Neal as one of the Basketball Wives as well as the show's executive producer, however, this reality TV star earned her fortune via more than just her TV career. O'Neal famously stabilized her financial situation when she signed her divorce settlement with her ex-husband and NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal. Celebrity Net Worth explains that their agreement "was one of the most expensive divorces in history," which undoubtedly contributed to her overall fortune of $35 million.

Unsurprisingly, there's been a lot written about Shaunie's finances, including the fact that after she split from Shaq, she demanded detailed information from him about their previous household spending, according to People magazine. On the other hand, "it was Shaq ... who first accused his wife of financial funny business. When the basketball star filed for divorce ... the petition claimed his wife-of-five-years had been 'secretive about her assets' and demanded a 'correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds, and other securities (including bearer securities)' she acquired during the marriage." Having millions isn't always fun and games. Sometimes it's divorce settlements and financial investigations. But we're sure Shaunie can handle it. If she can stay on top of the drama on Basketball Wives while also staying on top of her responsibilities as an executive producer, then she can surely stay on top of the frenzy around her funds.

Bethenny Frankel is likely a familiar name to anyone who's watched either The Real Housewives of New York City or The Apprentice: Martha Stewart as well as spin-offs that focused on the famous figure, Bethenny Ever After and Bethenny & Fredrik. But that's not all! Frankel also landed her own talk show, aptly named Bethenny, and while it only lasted for a year, she "has parlayed her reality show fame into the Skinnygirl Cocktails empire," according to Celebrity Net Worth, who also notes that she's "written four self-help books and is a frequent guest on talk shows."

Thanks to Frankel's various endeavors, she's another reality TV star with $40 million. But she didn't always have so much cash on hand. In fact, back in 2018, she opened up to Money about the fact that she went from having "$20,000 in credit card debt to a $100 million Skinnygirl deal."

And now, Frankel will be passing on her business savviness to other eager and up-and-coming entrepreneurs thanks to a new reality series with HBO Max. "The Big Shot With Bethenny will see contestants competing for a VIP spot on Bethenny Frankel's business team," according to People. Frankel tweeted about the new project, writing, "It's personal. It's business... and EVERYTHING is my business." That sounds about right.

If you want to be as rich as RuPaul, then you better work! RuPaul certainly did, which is why the model and performer had already established himself as a superstar when RuPaul's Drag Race debuted in 2009. A fan-favorite that's only grown in popularity, the reality TV modeling competition that dazzles the cameras has made the host one of the most successful figures in the genre as well as an incredibly wealthy person.

While RuPaul has around $60 million — take a minute if you need to let that massive number sink in — he certainly needs a fierce fortune because it takes a lot of money to be so fabulous. In fact, he says he's willing to spend $10,000 on a single dress and has "lost count" of how many he owns. He told Money, "Our show has been on the air for 10 years, and there are — I don't know — 14 gowns per season?"

All this might make RuPaul seem rather superficial, but he accepts the role money plays in his life while also remaining a spiritual person. He told Money, "We live in a world of polar opposites. Black, white; night, day; male, female. But multiple things can be true at the same time. It's about maintaining a balance. It takes a spiritual practice to center between the two extremes. And it does take work to reconcile." We bet the stunning gowns make that easier to do.

Headlines may tend to focus on Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian's fortunes (as well as the other Kardashian-Jenner kids, for that matter), however, their mom, Kris Jenner, is worth her fair share... which is obviously putting it wildly mildly. The New York Times notes that "the family business ... amount[s] to a master class in the art of monetizing influence." That's why, thanks to an empire that includes Keeping Up With the Kardashians, multiple spin-offs, and seemingly endless endorsement deals outside of TV — not to mention the fact that Jenner gets a cut of her kids' earnings — this "momager" (a term she trademarked, of course) is worth around $90 million. 

Not bad for a woman who once had to borrow money from Kathie Lee Gifford back in the day. In 2019, the TV host and Jenner's longtime friend told People, "Kris was having financial problems. ... They were really struggling." However, now that Jenner is on her feet (and then some), Gifford joked, "I want that money back!" No worries. This is one reality star that can pay back her debts and will still have plenty of money leftover in the bank.