Celebrity endorsements are one of the oldest ways the rich and famous have managed to make themselves richer, or sometimes get themselves out from severe financial issues. That being said, the high level of money that many celebrities will often find themselves coming into due to these endorsements is absolutely astonishing.
Charlize Theron – Dior
It’s unlikely you haven’t seen the Theron ads for Dior. They’re all over the television and it’s hard to take your eyes off the beauty of the woman who has been able to create a serious acting career for herself. That’s probably why Dior payed her $55mn to endorse the product.
Kim Kardashian – Her Own App
Regardless of my own personal opinions about Kim Kardashian, she’s a woman who has been able to carve out a career on having a body that has lead to her gathering millions. For allowing her likeness to be used for the app Kim Kardashian Hollywood, she gets 45% of all profits made from it. Within three months, the app had gained the reality TV star $43mn.
Lebron James – Nike
By signing two separate deals with Nike, Lebron has managed to gain himself $90mn from his first endorsement contract, which was followed seven years later by another worth $100mn. Not a bad amount of money there.
George Clooney – Nespresso
Who better to give your product a sense of class than the famous heartthrob George Clooney? Nespresso realised this when they offered the actor money to endorse their brand back in 2005. Since then, he’s managed to make a whopping $50mn from the deal, with no end to the earnings in sight.
50 Cent – Vitamin Water
50 Cent has recently come into various money problems due to a lawsuit that has lead to him filing for bankruptcy. Despite this, the rapper has always been known for his shrewd business decisions that have lead to him amassing the riches he’s famous for. One of these decisions was choosing to endorse VitaminWater, a choice that has added an extra $100mn to his personal fortune in the past.
Beyonce – Pepsi
Never far from advertisement or endorsement, it wasn’t surprising when Beyonce chose to endorse Pepsi after being asked by PepsiCo. The contract was signed in 2012, offering the singer $50mn for her exclusive partnership.
Michael Jordan – Air Jordans
Probably one of the more famous celebrity endorsements out there, the Nike Air Jordan line has been around since 1984. Since then, Nike have made over a billion dollars on the line and Jordan himself is making $60mn a year for the endorsement. Not bad for a deal that was originally signed for $2.5mn.
What do you think about this high level of celebrity endorsement? Is this just ridiculous money being handed out for no work or is it a fair way to make some money from their fame? Sound off in the comments below whether you think is the epitome of selling out or just think that everybody has to pay the bills, no matter how famous they are.