Nollywood has become the talk of the day amongst African youths and many across the seven continents. As Nollywood’s status rises so does the profile of its actresses. Thanks to the industry, they have hit it big with endorsements, modelling contracts, adverts and music, hence their being branded ‘big bucks’ divas. Here is the list of the rich Nollywood actresses.
1. GENEVIEVE NNAJI between 70 – 100Million
Genevieve Nnaji tops the list with movies that have grossed over a N100 million at the box office. Genevieve is definitely a household name and is known not just in Nigeria but other parts of the world, even appearing on the biggest talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009. She has starred in over 80 Nollywood movies including the award winning, Ije: The Journey, which grossed N60 million turning out to be Nigeria’s highest grossing movie ever.Genevieve started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular TV soap opera, Ripples at 8. When she was 19, she was introduced to the thriving Nigerian movie industry with the movie, Most Wanted, after which she did several other movies. In 2004, she was chosen as the Face of Lux in a highly lucrative sponsorship deal. She also launched her own clothing line in 2008 named St. Genevieve, which donates its proceeds to charity. In May 2010, she was appointed the official face of Make-up Designing in Nigeria. She also secured a contract as the face of US and South Africa brand, Cintrion energy drink for N50 million. In June 2012, she was unveiled as the brand ambassador of Range Rover Evogue by Coscharis Motors, in which she reportedly got $100,000. She recently acquired property in Parkview Estate (Ikoyi, Lagos) and she also has another mansion in Oniru Estate and one in Lekki which she built for her parents. She recently starred in the hit movie, Half of a Yellow Sun.
2. KATE HENSHAW between 70m – 80Milli0n
Kate Henshaw started her acting career in 1993 with the movie, When The Sun Sets and she has starred in over 50 movies. She won the African Movie Academy Awards in 200 for Best Actress in a Leading Role in the movie, Stronger than Pain. Her endorsements include Face of Onga, Face of Blessing Perfume deal. The new Face of Samsung mobile and electronics and she was previously a Glo ambassador also a judge in Nigerian Idol. Kate Henshaw released her autobiography few months back, The Life of an Actress: My Story and it was reported she got N5 million from the Rivers State Government. She is also known for traveling across the country, sharing photos of her vacation to Switzerland, USA, Italy. She is currently divorced and has a 12 year-old daughter, Ella.
3. Mercy Johnson (N65 million)
When many argued whether there would be another star like Genevieve, along came the fierce and hot Mercy Johnson. At the moment she remains the highest paid in Nollywood. The movie, The Maid, was not enough to woo Nollywood fans to her, but ’19 Mackaulay Street’ revealed her to be the latest Nollywood revelation. Since then she has never looked back. Many argue that the tens of movie scripts that come her way are due to the fact that she’s not a glo ambassador, but the actresses does not see it that way. In the past three years she appeared in more movies than any other Nollywood actress. By 2008 Mercy Johnson had appeared in fifteen movies and earned N11.4 million from movies alone. The following year, she earned N13 million and she featured in the Emen Isong hit movie ‘Guilty Pleasures’. She is also an investor in properties and she is about to complete two houses at the moment. She also owns about six landed properties in lagos.
4. INI EDO (N60 million)
She has remained very consistent and has proved time and again that she was born to be a star. Ini believes in landed properties and has invested in this area more than any other Nollywood sister. She has five buildings to her credit and another one to be completed by the end of the year. Most of the buildings are being rented to tenants. The actress, model and producer presently has nine landed properties which she either plans to build upon, fence for keeps or lease. Five of the landed properties are in Ikotun and Ikorodu areas of Lagos State and the rest in her home state. By 2007 she had earned N15.7 million from movies and her other businesses. She has just produced her latest flick ‘Memories Of The Heart’ which will be premiered in the United States. She has done ore works between 2011 and 2012
5. Rita Dominic (N58 million)
She is the best-dressed actress” according to Nollywood insiders and fans. In 2004 she won the City Peoples Award as the Most Outstanding Actress. The face of Nokia and a Glo ambassador,Rita is also a business woman. She has done well both as an actress and a model. Her assets include landed properties and two homes estimated to be worth over N40 million. Between 2008 and 2009, she earned N16million (most of which came from Nokia and Glo.) She is about to launch a book and produce her own films.
6. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (N53 million)
She is the darling and princess of Nollywood, bold and a beauty to
behold.Recently honoured as one of Time Magazine 100 Most Influential
People in the World Many believe she shares the same status with
Genevieve Nnaji and together they are the two biggest actresses in
Nollywood. Omotola is not your impression of an everyday business woman
but what you may call a seasonal investor in whatever she develops a
passion for. Although she has not featured in many movies recently, she
has always proved that she is always at her best in any movie she acts
in. In 2007 she grossed N9 million. Omotola takes it easy with her life
and also has great passion for cars. She drives more expensive cars than
any actress in Nollywood and her garage is estimated to be worth N20
million. The mother, model and musician has recently stepped up her game
in the music industry. Her first album ‘Gba’ was her first introduction
to the music industry but her sophomore album Me, Myself & Eyes has
defined her as truly talented. The production and promotion of her
album cost her a whopping N13 million.
7. Patience Ozokwor (N51 million)
The Enugu star is nicknamed “Mama G’ in Nollywood. She is the oldest on the list and is notable for her tough roles in movies. ‘Mama G’ who is also a musician has been consistent in the industry and her roles have been raw energy. She is very diverse in her investments but also has several landed properties. She also started business very early.
8. Uche Jombo (N50 million)
Nollywood insiders, stake holders and fans all agree that this has been Uche Jombo’s year, one in which she has razzled and dazzled many with her acting in several movies this year. The year 2010 has seen her dominate the headlines more than any other actor or actress in Nollywood. The media pictures her everywhere albiet in a positive light and she has enjoyed media hype like Genevieve Nnaji (2005) and Mercy Johnson (between 2008 and 2009). In 2008, she pocketed N10 million for her slick performances in several movies. Uche started to prove her talent in the industry when she co-wrote the block buster movie ‘Games Men Play’ with veteran female producer Emen Isong in 2005. In 2009/2010 which appears to be her biggest year in the industry, she featured in the Nollywood USA movie by J. J. Bunny Rebound followed by her own very work and master piece, one that has set Nollywood on fire, which is currently being premiered in the United States.
The Glo ambassador and model, who earned more than N11 million in 2009, seems unstoppable at the moment. The year 2011/2012 could see her top this list, since some of her movies are not yet released and the ones being shown in cinemas are still enjoying sold out status across the continent.
9. Monalisa Chinda (N50 million)
Also involved in the Royal Arts Academy mission, the beautiful actress from Rivers State has done well for herself after more than ten years in the industry. Between 2004 and 2008 Monalisa Chinda earned about N25 million. The actress and producer is about to release her movie which is already in its final stages. She also owns landed properties in choice locations in both Rivers State and Lagos.
10. FUNKE AKINDELE 40 Million
Funke Akindele shot into limelight with the monster hit movie, Jenifa which grossed over N60 million, netting N20 million in 2012 alone. also The Return of Jenifa grossed over N35 million. She is also known for her major endorsements with premium brands including Vitafoam, where she got N20 million. Her endorsements with Qlichy.com Jobberman.com, Globacom, Klin detergent and Lagos Inland Revenue Service are very lucrative. She started her acting career with the TV series, I Need To Know and won AMAA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2009. She also has a mansion located at Agbalajobi Estate, Ikeja, Lagos.
WORTHY MENTION
Chioma Chukwuka (N46 million)
The absolutely scandal-free actress in Nollywood has featured in about 70 movies and has raked in millions for herself and family. The Oraifite, Anambra State-born star was voted the African Movie Academy Awards’ Best Actress 2007. She earned N8 million from movies in 2007 and since then she has been climbing higher and higher. In 2008, she also earned a whopping N9 million. She owns two houses and various properties in Lagos and her home state.
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