Top 20 Famous, Richest Celebrities In Ethiopia In 2023 (Net Worth Of Highest-Paid Ethiopian Celebs)

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Who are the richest celebrities in Ethiopia? Here’s a list of Ethiopia’s richest models, actors, musicians, and entrepreneurs.

Ethiopians are a proud people and they have the history to back them up. These include the ancient Adwa civilization, the first black victory over European colonialists, Queen Sheba and the Solomonic dynasty, Emperor Haile Sellasie and Rastafarianism, and a lot more.

Today, Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia takes pride in the fact that it is unofficially considered the capital of Africa. The huge number of embassies and international organizations represented in the city lend credence to this consideration.

Ethiopians have also migrated on a massive scale, beginning with the overthrow of the monarchy. With this migration, Ethiopians have spread out across the globe. They have assimilated into their chosen countries and have gained fame and prestige.

The following list is of 20 of the most famous and best-known Ethiopian celebrities both in Ethiopia and internationally with their estimated net worths.

1. Mohammed Al Amoudi – $8.3 Billion

Top 20 Best, Famous, And Richest Celebrities In Ethiopia In 2022 (Net Worth Of Highest-Paid Ethiopian Celebs)

Mohammed Hussein Ali Al-Amoudi is an Ethiopian and Saudi Arabian businessman. He was born in Ethiopia and his network is calculated at about $8.3 billion. He is also considered to be Ethiopia’s largest investor and the richest man in the country. Furthermore, he is the second richest man in Saudi Arabia, as well as the second richest black man in the world.

2. The Weeknd – $300 Million

the weeknd ethiopian singer at awards Top 20 Best, Famous, And Richest Celebrities In Ethiopia In 2022 (Net Worth Of Highest-Paid Ethiopian Celebs)

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally as The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer. Known for his sonic versatility and dark lyricism, his music explores escapism, romance, and melancholia, and is often inspired by personal experiences. 

The Weeknd was born on February 16, 1990 (age 33 years) in Toronto, Canada to Ethiopian parents. His parents are Samra Tesfaye, and Makkonen Tesfaye.

Celebrity Net Worth estimates The Weeknd’s net worth to be around $300 million.

3. Liya Kebede – $18 Million

Top 20 Best, Famous, And Richest Celebrities In Ethiopia In 2022 (Net Worth Of Highest-Paid Ethiopian Celebs)

Liya Kebede is a model born in Ethiopia who is now heavily involved in philanthropy, namely maternal health. She is also a designer of clothes and an actress. At the height of her modeling career, she was reported to have been the 11th highest-paid model in the world.

Celebrity Net Worth estimates Liya Kebede‘s net worth to be around $18 million. Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian model, actress, health advocate, and clothing designer who has a net worth of $18 million dollars.

4. Tewodros Kassahun – $16.5 Million

Teddy Afro real named Tewodros Kassahun is a musician that lives in Ethiopia and is considered the most famous in the country at the moment. His music is considered very influential and controversial.

World music singer better known as Teddy Afro whose fifth album, Ethiopia, broke record sales and reached the Billboard World Albums chart in May 2017. 

He released his first album Abugida in 2001.

His third album “Yasteseryal” was released during the political tension of the Ethiopian election in 2005, and covered political tensions surrounding the Ethiopian general election of that year. The government banned four of the songs on the album.

He married Amleset Muchie in 2012; they have two kids. His mother, Tilaye Arage, was a professional Dancer, while his father, Kassahun Germano, was an Ethiopian Songwriter.

He appeared at the 60th-anniversary concert of Bob Marley and shared the stage with several other Marleys.

Teddy Afro has a net worth of $16.5 million.

5. Marcus Samuelsson – $6 Million

Marcus Samuelsson is an Ethiopian-born restaurateur and world-renowned chef. He is currently the head chef of the famous Red Rooster in New York.

Wealthy Person estimates Marcus Samuelsson’s net worth to be around $6 million

6. Tirunesh Dibaba – $6 Million

Tirunesh Dibaba, a.k.a “Baby Face Destroyer”, is an Ethiopian long-distance runner and holder of the 5000 meters world record. Among her many victories are 3 Olympic track gold medals, 5 World Championship track gold medals, and 4 individual World Cross Country titles.

Net Worth Post estimates Tirunesh Dibaba’s net worth t be $6 million.

7. Lola Monroe – $5 Million

Lola Monroe born Fershgenet Melaku is an Ethiopian-born American rapper, actress, and model. She has modeled and appeared in music videos for many popular artists such as Kanye West and Trey Songz. She later renamed herself, Lola Monroe, in 2007 after Marilyn Monroe. She was nominated for Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the BET Awards show.

Lola Monroe has a current net worth of $5 million.

8. Alia K – $4 Million

Alia K is a Music Producer who has a net worth of $4 million. Alia K was born on September 4, 1999. The singer is known for her soulful style, which is often compared to Amy Winehouse. She has over 3 followers on Instagram. 

She attended the Afropunk Festival in Brooklyn in 2016. 

She’s also worked as an art curator for the Art Hoe Collective in Washington D.C. 

She’s lived in Ethiopia and Washington D.C. 

She’s covered Willow Smith’s “You Know I’m No Good.” 

9. Ruth Nega – $4 Million

Ruth Negga is an Irish actress of Ethiopian origin; she has received a lot of praise for her role as Mildred Loving in a 2016 film called “Loving”, as well as an Academy Award, Critic’s Choice, and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress. The future definitely looks bright for this rising star.

Celebrity Net Worth estimates Ruth Negga’s net worth to be around $4 million.

10. Aster Aweke – $3 Million

Aster Aweke is an Ethiopian-born singer who relocated to Washington DC, where there is a large Ethiopian Community. She became popular there by singing and performing for the ex-pat community but she maintains her fame in Ethiopia as well.

11. Mahmoud Ahmed – $3 Million

mahmoud ahmed singing on stage

Mahmoud Ahmed became popular in the 1970s in Ethiopia and among the Ethiopian diaspora in the 1980s before he reached international stardom with African music fans in the Americas and Europe. His popularity continued to grow in the 1990s with the release of Ethiopiques. Furthermore, in 2007 Mamoud was given the BBC World Music Award.

Mahmoud Ahmed is a famous World Music Singer, born on May 8, 1941, in Ethiopia. As of December 2023, Mahmoud Ahmed’s net worth is $5 Million.

12. Gelila Bekele – $2.5 Million

Gelila Bekele is an Ethiopian model, humanitarian, social worker, documentary maker, and author. She has modeled for major brands such as Levi’s, Diesel, H&M, Pantene, and L’Oreal. She has also authored the book Guzo and is in a relationship with Tyler Perry a famous American actor, producer, and director.

13. Amine – $2 Million

Amine or Adam Daniel is an American rapper of Ethiopian descent. He is also a singer and a songwriter who is best known for his commercial debut single, called “Caroline” which reached number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

14. Haile Gebrselassie – $1.5 Million

haile gebreselassie running a competitive race

Haile Gebrselassie is a long-distance runner that broke many international records. He is now retired from running competitively but is busy running many businesses in his country Ethiopia.

15. Mulatu Astatke – $1.5 Million

mulatu astatke father of ethio jazz on stage

Mulatu Astatke is widely known as the father of Ethiopian Jazz or Ethio Jazz. His music and his albums are mostly focused on instrumental music and he also appears on three popular albums of instrumentals that were released during the Golden ’70s of Ethiopian music.

16. Meseret Defar – $1-5 Million

meseret defar in a long distance race

Meseret Defar Tola is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes mainly in the 3000 meters and 5000 meters events. She has collected many medals including Olympic and World Championships. She broke the world record in an event in 2006 and broke it again in 2007. Meseret held on to the record till 2008 Tirunesh Dibaba beat it.

17. Derartu Tulu – $1.5 Million

two pictures of derartu tulu running with flag and sitting in an interview

Derartu Tulu is an Ethiopian-born long-distance runner who competes internationally in the marathon, track, cross country, etc. She is the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal, which she won in the 10000 meters event at the Barcelona games.

18. Sara Nuru – $1 Million

Sara Nuru is a German fashion model of Ethiopian descent. She has done shows in London Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week as well as Berlin Fashion Week, working with huge brands such as Escada Laurel, Gant, Robert Cavalli, etc.

19. Kenenisa Bekele – $1 Million

kenenisa bekele running with ethiopian flag

Kenenisa Bekele is a long-distance runner that is currently holding the world record and Olympic record for both the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters events. He is considered one of the greatest distance runners of all time, owning several world records and a wide variety of medals.

20. Gigi – $500,000 – $1 Million

gigi ethiopian singer album cover

Gigi, or Ejigayehu Shibabaw, is considered one of the most successful contemporary Ethiopian singers globally. Her music is a fusion of contemporary and traditional sounds and gained her success internationally while creating some controversy in her country of Ethiopia for taking such a radical step away from popular Ethiopian music.

Who is the richest celebrity in Ethiopia? The following list is of 20 of the most famous and best-known Ethiopian celebrities both in Ethiopia and internationally including models, actors, musicians, businessmen, politicians, producers, footballers, athletes, Instagram influencers, and entrepreneurs.

  1. Mohammed Al Amoudi – $8.3 Billion.
  2. The Weeknd – $300 Million.
  3. Liya Kebede – $18 Million.
  4. Tewodros Kassahun – $16.5 Million.
  5. Marcus Samuelsson – $6 Million.
  6. Tirunesh Dibaba – $6 Million.
  7. Lola Monroe – $5 Million.
  8. Alia K – $4 Million.
  9. Ruth Nega – $4 Million.
  10. Aster Aweke – $3 Million.
  11. Mahmoud Ahmed – $3 Million.
  12. Gelila Bekele – $2.5 Million.
  13. Amine – $2 Million.
  14. Haile Gebrselassie – $1.5 Million.
  15. Mulatu Astatke – $1.5 Million.
  16. Meseret Defar – $1-5 Million.
  17. Derartu Tulu – $1.5 Million.
  18. Sara Nuru – $1 Million.
  19. Kenenisa Bekele – $1 Million.
  20. Gigi – $500,000 – $1 Million.