American rapper and R&B singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj on December 8, 1982, in Saint James, Trinidad, has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in music. Now 43, Minaj currently resides in Hidden Hills, California, with her husband Kenneth “Zoo” Petty and their son. She first gained fame with her explosive mixtapes like Playtime Is Over and Beam Me Up Scotty, eventually signing with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment and releasing her multi-platinum debut album Pink Friday.
As of 2026, Nicki Minaj’s net worth is estimated at $150 million, making her the richest female rapper of all time. While her music career forms the foundation of her wealth, Minaj has also earned millions through brand endorsements, business ventures including Myx Fusions Moscato, fragrance lines, real estate investments, and other entrepreneurial pursuits.
Profile Summary
| Profile Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Onika Tanya Maraj |
| Stage Name | Nicki Minaj |
| Date of Birth | December 8, 1982 |
| Age (2026) | 43 years |
| Birthplace | Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Current Residence | Hidden Hills, California, USA |
| Profession | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Model |
| Net Worth (2026) | $150 million |
| Annual Income | ~$10 million (varies by projects) |
| Major Income Sources | Music sales, tours, streaming royalties, brand endorsements, fragrance line, real estate, media appearances |
| Notable Achievements | First female rapper with 100+ Billboard Hot 100 entries, multiple awards including 6 American Music Awards, 10 BET Awards |
| Luxury Assets | Hidden Hills mansion ($19.5M), Bentley, Lamborghini, designer wardrobe |
| Marital Status | Married to Kenneth “Zoo” Petty |
| Children | 1 son (nicknamed “Papa Bear”) |
| Cultural Impact | Considered the richest female rapper; trailblazer for women in hip-hop; influential in fashion and pop culture |
Who Is Nicki Minaj?
Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj on December 8, 1982, in Saint James, Trinidad, had a challenging early life marked by family struggles and financial hardships. She moved to Queens, New York, with her mother and siblings, where she discovered her passion for music and performing arts.
Minaj attended the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, which laid the foundation for her career in entertainment. Her breakthrough came through early mixtapes like Playtime Is Over, Sucka Free, and Beam Me Up Scotty, which showcased her unique style and lyrical skill. Recognizing her potential, Lil Wayne signed her to Young Money Entertainment, launching her into the mainstream music industry and setting the stage for her rise as one of the most influential female rappers of all time.
About Nicki Minaj’s Husband and Childern
Nicki Minaj is married to Kenneth “Zoo” Petty, whom she has known since childhood. The couple rekindled their relationship in 2018 and officially tied the knot in October 2019. Petty has a controversial legal history, including past convictions and probation, which has often placed the couple in the public eye. Despite these challenges, Nicki has remained private about their personal life, focusing on family and supporting her husband.
In September 2020, Nicki and Petty welcomed their first child, a son affectionately nicknamed “Papa Bear.” Nicki has expressed that becoming a mother has been a life-changing experience, emphasizing the importance of financial security and leaving a legacy for her child. She balances her career with motherhood, ensuring her son grows up in a stable and nurturing environment while she continues to expand her business and music ventures.
How Did Nicki Minaj Become Famous?
Nicki Minaj’s rise to fame began when she signed with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment in 2009, a move that would change the landscape of female rap forever. She first gained widespread attention through her breakthrough mixtapes, including Playtime Is Over and Beam Me Up Scotty, which showcased her unique flow, sharp lyricism, and bold personality.
In 2010, Minaj released her debut album, Pink Friday, which became a global sensation, selling over four million copies and producing hits like Super Bass. She followed up with albums such as Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), The Pinkprint (2014), and Queen (2018), cementing her position as a dominant force in hip-hop and pop.
Over the years, Minaj has achieved numerous milestones, including becoming the first female rapper to surpass 100 Billboard Hot 100 entries, a record-breaking accomplishment that highlights her consistency and crossover appeal.
Nicki Minaj Net Worth in 2026
As of 2026, Nicki Minaj’s net worth is estimated at $150 million, making her the richest female rapper in the world. Her annual income is estimated to be around $10 million, depending on music releases, tours, endorsements, and other business ventures.
Minaj’s fortune surpasses that of many of her contemporaries, including rivals like Cardi B, who has an estimated net worth of $100 million. Beyond her music career, Nicki has built wealth through brand endorsements, fragrance lines, business ventures like Myx Fusions Moscato, and real estate investments, including her $19.5 million mansion in Hidden Hills, California.
Nicki has often shared her perspective on wealth, stating, “I vowed I would never be one of these artists that makes all this money and has nothing to leave behind. I promised my family, ‘I’m going to get rich and buy you a house.’ Even now, I know no one is going to be on top of my stuff more than me.” Her focus on financial security and legacy reflects both her business savvy and her dedication to family.
How Nicki Minaj Made Her Fortune
Nicki Minaj’s impressive $150 million net worth is the result of a diversified career spanning music, business, endorsements, and media appearances. Here’s a closer look at how she built her fortune.
Music Career & Tours
Minaj’s music is the foundation of her wealth. She has sold millions of albums worldwide, with her debut album Pink Friday going multi-platinum, followed by hits like Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, The Pinkprint, and Queen. Her tours have been highly lucrative, including the Pinkprint Tour, which grossed $22 million, and the Pink Friday 2 Tour, where she became the first female rapper to exceed $100 million in tour revenue. Collaborations with artists like Kanye West, Drake, and Jessie J, along with streaming royalties, continue to add significantly to her earnings.
Brand Endorsements & Partnerships
Beyond music, Nicki has secured high-profile brand deals, working with MAC Cosmetics, Pepsi, Adidas, H&M, and Roberto Cavalli. She is also a co-owner of the Myx Fusions Moscato beverage brand, which adds long-term equity to her portfolio. Additionally, her fragrance lines—including Pink Friday, Minajesty, and Onika—have been commercially successful, contributing millions in revenue.
Real Estate Investments
Minaj has invested in luxury real estate, renting high-end properties in Los Angeles for years before purchasing her $19.5 million mansion in Hidden Hills, California in 2022. The property features eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a stunning pool, and panoramic views, reflecting her status as one of hip-hop’s top earners.
Other Ventures & Media Appearances
Nicki’s wealth is further boosted by media appearances and business ventures. She earned $12 million as a judge on American Idol, made cameos in shows like Steven Universe, and contributed to the Barbie World soundtrack with Ice Spice. She also became the first female operator in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, securing a lucrative gaming deal worth millions.
Nicki Minaj Earnings Breakdown
Nicki Minaj’s wealth is not just impressive in total—it’s also fascinating when broken down into yearly, monthly, daily, and per-project earnings.
Annual, Monthly, and Daily Income
As of 2026, Nicki’s annual income is estimated at around $10 million, depending on her music releases, tours, and endorsement deals. That translates to roughly:
- Monthly: $833,333
- Daily: $27,397
These figures demonstrate the consistent earning power of one of hip-hop’s most influential artists.
Tour Earnings
Live performances are a major revenue stream for Minaj. For example:
- Pinkprint Tour (2015): Grossed $22 million across 38 shows, averaging over $500,000 per show (before splits with crew, venues, and promoters).
- Pink Friday 2 Tour (2023): Made history as the first female rapper to exceed $100 million in tour revenue, performing over 70 shows with nearly $1.5 million per show on average.
Feature Verse Fees & Instagram Sponsorships
Nicki Minaj is also highly paid for collaborations and social media promotions:
- Feature verse: Typically $250,000 to $500,000, depending on the project and artist collaboration.
- Instagram sponsorships: Estimated earnings of $650,000 per post, though her social activity fluctuates (she deactivated her Instagram in late 2025).
Nicki Minaj vs Other Female Rappers
Nicki Minaj has long held the crown as the wealthiest female rapper, with an estimated net worth of $150 million in 2026. To understand her financial dominance, it helps to compare her to some of her contemporaries.
Comparison with Peers
- Cardi B: Estimated net worth of $100 million, with earnings primarily from music, tours, endorsements, and her popular “Fashion Nova” collaborations.
- Megan Thee Stallion: Estimated net worth of $25–30 million, boosted by music sales, tours, and high-profile brand deals with Puma, Balenciaga, and Savage X Fenty.
- Other Female Rappers: While many have impressive careers, none match Minaj’s longevity, brand diversification, or global reach in both music and business ventures.
Why Minaj Maintains Her Lead
Nicki’s financial advantage comes from her strategic investments, endorsements, and ownership deals, not just music. She retains her 360 rights on music and merchandise, earns consistently from tours, and has expanded into fragrances, beverages, and high-profile collaborations. Her ability to blend music, fashion, and business keeps her untouchable in wealth compared to her peers, solidifying her status as hip-hop’s richest female rapper.
Lifestyle & Luxury
Nicki Minaj is not only known for her music but also for her lavish lifestyle and love for luxury. Over the years, she has accumulated a stunning collection of high-end cars, including a Bentley Continental and a Lamborghini Aventador, reflecting her taste for speed and style.
Her fashion sense is bold and iconic, often setting trends with brightly colored wigs, avant-garde outfits, and red-carpet statements that turn heads worldwide. Nicki’s style has made her a fixture in both the music and fashion industries, landing her campaigns with brands like H&M, Roberto Cavalli, and MAC Cosmetics.
Beyond cars and couture, Minaj has indulged in rare collectibles and unique memorabilia. For instance, one of her acrylic nails from the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards sold for an astonishing $55,000 on eBay, highlighting the extent of her influence and her status as a pop culture icon.
Her lifestyle, combined with her financial acumen, shows how Nicki Minaj has turned music fame into a multi-million-dollar luxury empire.
Final Thoughts
Nicki Minaj’s estimated net worth of $150 million in 2026 cements her status as the richest female rapper of all time. Her fortune comes from a diverse mix of income sources, including album sales, global tours, streaming royalties, brand endorsements, fragrance lines, real estate investments, and media appearances like American Idol and gaming collaborations.
Beyond her financial success, Minaj has left an indelible mark on hip-hop and pop culture, breaking records such as being the first female rapper to achieve over 100 Billboard Hot 100 entries and inspiring a new generation of female artists. Her bold fashion, animated performances, and cultural influence have made her a true icon of the music industry.
Looking ahead, Nicki Minaj’s combination of strategic business ventures, touring, and creative projects suggests that her wealth and influence will continue to grow, ensuring her legacy as a powerhouse in both music and entrepreneurship for years to come.
FAQ’s
What is Nicki Minaj’s net worth in 2026?
Nicki Minaj’s net worth is estimated at $150 million in 2026, making her the richest female rapper of all time. Her wealth comes from music, tours, endorsements, business ventures, and real estate.
How much does Nicki Minaj earn per show?
Her earnings per show vary depending on the tour. For instance, during the Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour, she averaged around $777,777 per show, while her Pink Friday 2 Tour in 2023 reportedly brought in nearly $1.5 million per show.
How much does Nicki Minaj make from Instagram posts?
Nicki Minaj could command roughly $650,000 per sponsored Instagram post, although she deactivated her Instagram in October 2025.
Who is richer: Nicki Minaj or Cardi B?
As of 2026, Nicki Minaj is wealthier than Cardi B, whose estimated net worth is $100 million. Minaj’s longevity, diversified income streams, and smart investments keep her at the top.
What are Nicki Minaj’s biggest income sources?
Her top income streams include album sales, tours, streaming royalties, brand endorsements (MAC Cosmetics, Pepsi, Adidas, H&M), fragrance lines, real estate investments, and media appearances such as American Idol and gaming collaborations like Call of Duty.
