Rihanna Makes History With Two Billion-Dollar Brands

Rihanna has reached a milestone that places her in a category very few founders ever enter. Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty have both reached billion dollar valuations, making her the first Black woman to build two separate billion dollar brands. It is a major moment for beauty, fashion and the broader business landscape because both companies grew from innovation, representation and strong consumer demand.

Fenty Beauty launched in 2017 with 40 foundation shades and sold more than $100M dollars in its first year. The shade range set a new standard for complexion products and pushed the prestige beauty sector to rethink inclusivity. Products like Gloss Bomb and Pro Filt’r remain top sellers and frequently trend in global beauty searches. Fenty Beauty also reached more than $500M in annual revenue within a few years of launch, which positioned the brand as one of the strongest performers under the LVMH umbrella. Its global presence across Sephora, Harvey Nichols and multiple regions helped maintain rapid growth and sustained relevance.

Savage X Fenty entered the market in 2018 and quickly disrupted the lingerie category. The brand raised more than $125M in funding and reportedly reached a valuation of $1B by 2021. Savage became known for its size inclusivity, comfort centered design and the signature loungewear sets that consistently sell out. The Savage X Fenty fashion shows became some of the most streamed digital runway events and introduced a new standard for diverse casting. Each production increased brand visibility and consumer interest, which contributed heavily to sales growth.

Rihanna’s influence has been backed by measurable performance. Fenty Beauty consistently ranks high in top searched makeup brands worldwide. Savage X Fenty remains a strong competitor in the lingerie and loungewear categories, with strong engagement across social platforms. Both brands benefit from celebrity impact, but the sustained growth comes from product quality, customer loyalty and a brand identity built on authenticity rather than hype.

Her achievement matters because it reflects a shift in who leads the beauty and fashion industries. Black women have been cultural drivers for decades, but they have rarely held ownership at the billion dollar level. Rihanna’s success shows what can happen when a founder combines creative direction, industry knowledge and strong business strategy. It also creates space for more diverse leadership within luxury and prestige markets.

Fenty Beauty is expected to keep expanding with new complexion launches and international growth. Savage X Fenty continues to broaden its categories and strengthen its presence in retail and loungewear. Both companies have the numbers, visibility and cultural relevance to maintain long term momentum.

Rihanna did not just create two popular brands. She created two billion dollar companies that changed how beauty and fashion operate and set a new benchmark for what founder led brands can achieve.