Fashion today is more global, more digital, and—thankfully—more inclusive than ever. Walking the world’s runways and starring in headline campaigns are Black women who have turned their creative talent into serious earning power. Below is a conversational look at ten of the industry’s highest-paid Black female models. You’ll find a quick snapshot of how each star built her fortune, the brands that keep signing her, and why her success matters to the business of style.
1. Naomi Campbell
Decades into her career, Naomi remains a fixture on luxury billboards and red carpets. Marie Claire puts her net worth around USD 80 million, and past reports say her annual earnings have peaked near USD 49 million thanks to long-term beauty and fashion deals.
In addition to money numbers, she now signs multi-year deals—BMW, PrettyLittleThing, and Boss are included—and stages museum shows of her own archive. Those endeavors represent the premium that veteran supermodels like her can bring: profit-sharing, licensing fees, and creative-director positions that build on top of standard modeling day wages.
2. Joan Smalls
Puerto Rico’s most famous runway export is estimated at USD 26 million in personal wealth, a total built on Estée Lauder, Calvin Klein, and dozens of luxury campaigns. Forbes has repeatedly ranked her among the world’s top-earning models, and she continues to diversify: music-video cameos, fragrance collaborations, even a lingerie capsule.
3. Jourdan Dunn
Londoner Jourdan was the pioneering Black British model to join Forbes’ wealthy list, earning over USD 3 million annually at the height of her career and netting an estimated USD 13 million in wealth. She remains bankable by blending high-end fashion—Burberry, Balmain—with mass-market partners such as Maybelline. Throw in a successful YouTube cooking series and size-inclusive apparel line, and you have a sense of how spreading revenue sources supports long-term earnings.
4. Adut Akech
The South-Sudanese-Australian model is one of Models.com’s “Money Girls,” a designation given to top-earning models with repeat luxury clients. Conservative estimates set her fortunes at around USD 1 million, but analysts report fast expansion: Valentino, Balenciaga, and Valentino Beauty perfume deals contribute several six-figure figures each season. Her origin story—from refugee camp to Vogue covers—makes her particularly prized by brands focusing on true storytelling.
5. Imaan Hammam
Dutch, Moroccan, and Egyptian heritage give Imaan cross-market appeal, and that shows on the balance sheet. Public estimates range up to USD 13 million in assets; Models.com tracks a steady pipeline of Fendi, Ralph Lauren, and Armani campaigns through 2025. She also designs capsule collections and fronts sustainability initiatives, earning creative-consulting fees alongside modeling income.
6. Precious Lee
A pioneer for curve models on high-fashion catwalks, Precious is one of Vogue’s “most famous and highest-paid” plus-size talents. Versace, Moschino, and YSL Beauty keep her in the seven-figure range, while acting and writing projects expand her runway earnings. Body-positivity advocacy further boosts her brand value, showing that representation can translate directly into commercial success.
7. Aya Jones
Paris-bred Aya charges top-shelf fees for campaigns with Prada, Mango, and Miu Miu. Ones to watch in the industry report her among the highest-paid Black models due to consistent high-fashion bookings and fragrance deals. Having bounced back from a highly publicized accident, she capitalized on her comeback tale into even bigger endorsement contracts and showed that resilience can be profited from in a story-driven market.
8. Assa Baradji
Known for a striking runway look and frequent magazine covers—from Numéro to Vogue Italia—Assa has parlayed exclusives with Coperni and Balmain into six-figure season fees, landing her on Debonair Afrik’s highest-paid list. She also benefits from Europe’s surge in demand for Mali-born talent, signing regional beauty endorsements that supplement global fashion income.
9. Blesnya Minher
The Angolan model closed Victoria’s Secret’s 2024 show and fronts Calvin Klein’s eyewear campaigns—milestones that push her earnings well into high six-figure territory each year. Frequent fragrance deals and steady editorial bookings keep her on Models.com’s money list, reflecting how consistent mid-tier contracts can rival headline supermodel paychecks.
10. Mayowa Nicholas
Nigeria’s first face of Calvin Klein has reportedly reached about USD 1 million in net worth and holds a coveted spot on Models.com’s “Money Girls” roster. Regular Victoria’s Secret appearances, plus campaigns with Saint Laurent and Prada, illustrate how emerging-market icons can rapidly climb global earning charts when backed by powerhouse agencies.
