Top 10 Richest Celebrities In South Africa (2023)

South Africa has a very well-developed entertainment industry; the wealthiest celebrities in South Africa are therefore some of the most prominent entertainers who have risen to fame doing what they love. Of course, in order to rise to this level of prominence, there should be no doubt about your talent; these are some of the most talented people in the country; as evidenced by their popularity- they all have lots of fans.

Aside from the salaries earned for performances as celebrities; many of the people on this list have been able to leverage their fame; they have been able to venture out into other areas- establishing businesses and brands, thus increasing their potential to make even more wealth.

Some of these rich celebrities have even gone on to become international personalities; in fact, many people do not even know that their favorite stars come from South Africa.

Top 10 Richest Celebrities In South Africa

1. Charlize Theron

Net Worth: R2.7 Billion

Charlize Theron is one of the biggest actresses in Hollywood at the moment, and she has already established a legacy that can never be erased from the history of movies. She was born 7th of August, 1975, in Benoni, Transvaal, South Africa, and she attended Putfontein Primary School and the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg.

She did modeling in Italy for a year and intended to have a career in dancing. However, things didn’t work out, and it looked like it was over. Charlize then went to California on a ticket her mother bought for her and registered with a movie company. She landed her first big role in the 1997 movie The Devils Advocate; in which she starred alongside Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino.

From there on it has been one blockbuster after another; some of her movies include Mighty Joe Young, Hancock, Monster, The Italian Job, Dark Places, Young Adult, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Burning Plain, Prometheus, Dark Places, and The Old Guard.

She has won several awards; including Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Oscar. In 2016, Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She is one of the highest-paid actresses in the world.

2. Trevor Noah

Net Worth: R350 Million

Trevor Noah is one of the most popular comedians in the world. Despite his international celebrity status he continues to make it known to everyone that he is South African. Trevor Noah was already a big celebrity in South Africa before he went to America and became an instant success. His shows are well attended, and his social media handles are always abuzz.

He is a social critic; one who always has something funny to say about the social issues making the news. He has excelled as a television talk show; The Daily Show With Trevor Noah is a big hit; one that is followed by a great number of people, and with which advertisers line up to be associated with.

Trevor has won several awards including The South African Comics’ Choice Award, Critics’ Choice Television Award, Writers Guild of America Award, Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award, etc. Trevor is one of the highest-earning comedians in the world.

3. Sharlto Copley

Net Worth: R244 Million

Sharlto Copley is an actor, movie producer, and director. He was born in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in 1973. He attended St. Andrew’s Preparatory School in Grahamstown and Redhill School in Morningside, Johannesburg. At a very young age, he was privileged to meet a director who allowed him to make use of his company’s computers for 3D filmmaking.

From there on Sharlto Copley has gone on to thoroughly immerse himself in the movie industry; earning a heavy amount of money, and becoming one of the richest celebrities in South Africa, even though he has made most of the money from Hollywood.

His first big film role was the Sci-fi movie District 9, which was a big hit despite being a South African film. From there on he has gone on to feature in several movies such as A-Team, Elysium, Open Grave, Maleficent, Chappie, and so many more.

4. Black Coffee

Net Worth: R210 Million

Black Coffee was born in Durban on March 11, 1976. He has since become South Africa’s biggest export to the world’s music stage. He is a South African DJ, record producer, and songwriter, with deep roots in the British and American music industries. He has performed in sold-out arenas in London, and the US, and is constantly on tour.

He is also a record company executive; he is known to travel around the world in private jets and drive expensive vehicles. He is one of the most respected personalities in the African music industry.

5. Sello Maake Ka-Ncube

Net Worth: R200 Million

Sello Maake is one of the most prolific and completely professional actors that have ever come out of South Africa. He was born on March 12, 1960, in Orlando East, Soweto, South Africa. He is so talented that he has featured in all kinds of acting works including Movies, Theatres Plays, and Television Soap Operas. He has performed in South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United State of America, and Canada.

Some of his best-known acting roles include The Good Fascist, Bopha!, and Taxi to Soweto. Perhaps his most popular television work was in the soap opera Generations; where he played the role of Archie Moroka; eldest son of the billionaire protagonist.

6. Jamie Bartlett

Net Worth: R185 Million

Jamie Bartlett is yet another South African celebrity actor who has gone on to grace the international stage. He was born in July 1966, in the town of Maidenhead in England, but he grew up in South Africa. His earliest works were all in the South African movie industry. But after a few years, the international big screen came calling, and he has risen to the occasion.

Some of his movies include Prey, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Red Dust, Ernest Goes to Africa, American Ninja 2: The Confrontation, and so on. He has also earned huge amounts by performing in Television series such as Isidingo. He has plenty of awards and accolades for his efforts.

7. Moshidi Motshegwa

Net Worth: R131 Million

Moshidi Motshegwa is a South African screen goddess; with her amazingly good looks, it is difficult to believe that she has spent around 20 years in the South African Television and Movie industry. She was born September 3, 1977, and has gone on to have an amazing career as an actress.

Perhaps her most recognized role as an actress was in the SABC2 Drama Zero Tolerance, in which she played the incorruptible policewoman Denzela Ledwaba.

Mosidi Motshegwa has had a fulfilling and profitable acting career; she has won several accolades, including being selected among the probable awardees for the 89th Annual Academy Awards (Oscar) in the Best Foreign Language category.

8. Jessica Marais

Net Worth: R100 Million

Jessica Marais was born on the 29th of January, 1985 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is one of the richest celebrities in the country; this is owing to an acting career that has been particularly fruitful. She attended St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls and the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

Some of her movies include Two Fists One Heart, Needle, The Wrong Girl, Love Child, Chasing Wonders, and so on. She has found particular favour with the audiences of Australia and New Zealand; she has now taken up residence in New Zealand.

9. Pearl Thusi

Net Worth: R80 Million

Pearl Thusi was born on May 3, 1988. She is a South African actress, known for her striking beauty and grace. She is an actress, model, radio personality, television host, and businesswoman. She attended Pinetown Girls’ High School, in Johannesburg, and has gone on to become one of South Africa’s biggest stars.

Some of her films include; Tremors 5: Bloodlines, Catching Feelings, Fistful of Vengeance, and The Scorpion King: Book of Souls. She is one of South Africa’s biggest film exports, and she owns her own hair care company.

10. Lesley-Ann Brandt

Net Worth: R75 Million

Lesley Ann Brandt is one of the superstars that few people even know is South African. Yes, she was born in Cape Town, South Africa on December 2, 1981. She has gone on to have an impressive career on the big screen; she played Navea in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, and Mazikeen in the FOX Tv series Lucifer.

She has featured in several other films including include Zombie apocalypse, Drift, A Beautiful Soul, The Librarians, and Single Ladies.

Closing

Celebrities in South Africa are known for making huge amounts. This is because of the diversification they engaged in. Most of the richest celebrities in the country today also venture into numerous other money-making activities, in order to increase their net worth. This becomes very easy for them since they have gotten the international and local recognition needed to network.

The richest celebrities in South Africa have done well to branch out into the international market; they have become so successful that most people do not even know that they are South African. This also shows the depth of talent in South Africa; and how much South Africans can attain when they really make up their minds to pursue their goals.