8 of the richest LGBT billionaires in 2024: net worths, ranked – from Apple to Dolce & Gabbana
Throughout June, many countries are lighting up in rainbows as the world celebrates Pride Month. While many nations might still lag, LGBTQ+ rights have certainly come a long way over the past few decades.
These days, many in the LGBTQ+ community no longer need to hide in the closet in order to succeed. From entertainment to fashion and tech, many LGBTQ+ billionaires are living their lives out and proud while becoming some of the wealthiest individuals on the planet.
Here are some of this year’s richest openly LGBTQ+ billionaires in the world, according to Forbes at the time of writing.
8. Tim Cook, 63 – US$2.2 billion
Tech tycoon Tim Cook took Apple to new heights after he became the company CEO following the death of founder Steve Jobs in 2011. Under his leadership, Apple broadened its portfolio, releasing various new products like the Apple Watch and Apple HomePod that made the company – and Cook – a fortune.
Cook, who came out publicly as gay in 2014, per Economic Times, fights for diversity and inclusion within Apple and beyond by donating money to help fund gay rights initiatives.
7. Jennifer Pritzker, 73 – US$2.2 billion
Hotel heiress Jennifer Pritzker turned into a billionaire when she inherited a portion of the Hyatt hotel fortune. In 2013, Pritzker announced that she identifies as a woman for “all business and personal undertakings” in a statement to employees at Tawani Enterprises and the Pritzker Military Library, both of which she founded. This makes Pritzker the world’s first and only openly transgender billionaire.
6. Domenico Dolce, 65 – US$2.3 billion
Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce met in 1980 and started dating in 1982, subsequently launching in 1985. Over the years, the business duo branched out into fragrances, eyewear and accessories, fast becoming one of the most famous labels in the world.
In 2003, the pair announced they were ending their romantic relationship, but that they would continue their professional partnership.
5. Stefano Gabbana, 61 – US$2.3 billion
As the other half of Dolce & Gabbana, it’s only fair that Stefano Gabbana shares a ranking with his business partner on the list. Before meeting Dolce, Gabbana studied design at the Higher Institute for Artistic Industries in Rome.
Fortunately, despite the couple’s split, they’ve remained a fiercely tight fashion duo with billions in the bank to show for it.
4. Jon Stryker, 66 – US$5.3 billion
Jon Stryker made his wealth through his grandfather, who founded Stryker Corp. While Stryker inherited a significant stake in the company, he does not work there. Instead, he’s the president and founder of the Arcus Foundation, which supports gay rights initiatives and animal rights charities. To date, he has given away more than US$700 million, per Forbes.
He married his long-term partner Slobodan Randjelovic in December 2016.
3. Peter Thiel, 56 – US$7.1 billion
Peter Thiel is a German-born American entrepreneur, hedge fund manager and venture capitalist who made his fortune co-founding PayPal. He then grew his wealth a second time years later when he became the very first outside investor in Facebook, per Forbes.
Thiel is an outspoken political activist, supporting conservative gay rights causes such as the American Foundation for Equal Rights and GOProud, per Texas Tribune.
2. David Geffen, 81 – US$8 billion
After working as a talent agent, music and movie mogul David Geffen started making his fortune after co-founding Asylum Records, Geffen Records and DGC Records. During the rise of the Southern California folk-rock scene, his record companies signed some of the biggest names in the business, including The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne.
Geffen, who came out as gay in 1992, went on to create DreamWorks SKG film studio with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg in 1994.
1. Giorgio Armani, 89 – US$12.4 billion
Still at the top of the list of the world’s wealthiest openly LBGTQ+ figures is Giorgio Armani, who made his fortune as the king of the power suit. Armani launched his first ready-to-wear line in 1975 with long-term boyfriend and business partner Sergio Galeotti. The pair stayed together until Sergio’s death in 1985. Armani has since expanded his brand into everything from couture and jeans to fragrances and fashion accessories, making him a billionaire fashion force to be reckoned with.
