How Rihanna Lost U$36 Million — and Bounced Back Even Bigger, Becoming a Billionaire

Even billionaires take a hit sometimes — and Rihanna’s U$36 million loss from her short-lived luxury fashion venture with LVMH proves that even the world’s most successful entertainers aren’t immune to business setbacks. In 2019, the Barbadian superstar made history when she became the first Black woman to launch an original fashion line under LVMH, the luxury group behind Louis Vuitton and Dior. But by 2021, the much-hyped Fenty fashion house was shut down — costing Rihanna an estimated U$34–$37 million.

According to financial reports from Denim UK Holdings, Rihanna invested roughly U$34.86 million into the Fenty fashion partnership, while LVMH contributed a similar amount through its parent company. Despite major buzz around its Paris launch, the line never truly caught fire with European shoppers. High price tags, a pandemic-struck retail landscape, and Rihanna’s inability to travel to oversee production in Paris and Italy all worked against the brand.

In a joint statement, Rihanna and LVMH confirmed that they were “putting the ready-to-wear activity on hold,” adding that they would instead focus on growing the Fenty ecosystem through “cosmetics, skincare, and lingerie.” It turned out to be a smart pivot. While her luxury line folded, Fenty Beauty and Savage x Fenty continued to soar, cementing her as one of the most powerful female entrepreneurs in entertainment.

Forbes later crowned Rihanna the youngest self-made female billionaire in the U.S., thanks largely to her 50% stake in Fenty Beauty — a brand that generated over $500 million in revenue in its first year — and her 28% share in Savage x Fenty, valued at more than $3 billion by 2022. Even her skincare line, Fenty Skin, became a hit with Gen Z and millennial consumers who admired her inclusive and innovative approach to beauty.

Despite the sting of her fashion loss, Rihanna’s empire has only grown stronger. From music to makeup, she’s built a billion-dollar blueprint for creative reinvention — proving that sometimes a multimillion-dollar setback is just the setup for an even bigger comeback.

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