As of 2025, Coco Gauff stands as the world’s highest-paid female athlete, amassing an estimated $34.4 million in earnings over the past year. This impressive total comprises $9.4 million from on-court winnings and $25 million from endorsements, positioning her at the pinnacle of women’s sports earnings.
Who is the Richest Female Athlete in 2025?
While Coco Gauff leads in annual earnings, when considering overall net worth, Serena Williams remains unparalleled. With an estimated net worth of $340 million, Williams has built a substantial business empire alongside her record-breaking tennis career. Her wealth stems from a combination of prize money, endorsements with major brands like Nike and Gatorade, and investments through her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures.
Who Is the Richest Female Athlete in 2025? A Look at the Top 10 Highest-Paid Women in Sports
The world of sports is no longer just dominated by men when it comes to fame and fortune. In 2025, female athletes are not only breaking records on the field but also making monumental strides off the field through endorsements, business ventures, and media deals. At the forefront of this shift is Coco Gauff, who leads the chart as the highest-paid female athlete in the world this year.
Coco Gauff – The Rising Star Who Took the Lead
Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, tops the list with $34.4 million in total earnings. After winning her first Grand Slam title at the US Open and performing consistently in WTA tournaments, she secured $9.4 million in prize money. But what truly propelled her to the top were her $25 million in endorsements. Major brands like New Balance, Rolex, UPS, Bose, and L’Oreal have flocked to partner with her due to her massive popularity, positive public image, and growing social influence.
Richest by Net Worth: Serena Williams Still Reigns
While Coco leads in annual earnings, Serena Williams still holds the title of the richest female athlete by net worth, with an estimated $340 million. Despite retiring from professional tennis, Serena has built an empire through:
- Endorsements with Nike, Gatorade, and Wilson
- Investments through her firm, Serena Ventures
- Fashion and media projects, including her own clothing line
Her influence spans well beyond tennis and makes her one of the most powerful women in global sports and business.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Female Athletes of 2025
Here are the top-earning female athletes globally, based on combined on-field earnings (prize money, salaries) and off-field income (endorsements, appearances, business deals):
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Total Earnings | On-Field | Off-Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coco Gauff | Tennis | $34.4M | $9.4M | $25M |
| 2 | Iga Świątek | Tennis | $23.8M | $8.8M | $15M |
| 3 | Eileen Gu | Freestyle Skiing | $22.1M | $0.1M | $22M |
| 4 | Qinwen Zheng | Tennis | $20.6M | $5.6M | $15M |
| 5 | Aryna Sabalenka | Tennis | $18.7M | $9.7M | $9M |
| 6 | Emma Raducanu | Tennis | $12.9M | $0.9M | $12M |
| 7 | Nelly Korda | Golf | $12.5M | $4.5M | $8M |
| 8 | Venus Williams | Tennis | $12.1M | $0.1M | $12M |
| 9 | Simone Biles | Gymnastics | $11.2M | $0.2M | $11M |
| 10 | Jessica Pegula | Tennis | $10.2M | $4.2M | $6M |
Here’s a breakdown of the top-earning female athletes in 2025, based on combined on-field and off-field income:
Coco Gauff (Tennis, USA) – $34.4 million
- On-Field: $9.4M | Off-Field: $25M
- Notable endorsements: New Balance, Head, UPS, Bose, Rolex, L’Oreal
Iga Świątek (Tennis, Poland) – $23.8 million
- On-Field: $8.8M | Off-Field: $15M
- Endorsements include Lancôme and Lego
Eileen Gu (Freestyle Skiing, China) – $22.1 million
- On-Field: $0.1M | Off-Field: $22M
- Brand partnerships: Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Porsche, Anta Sports
Qinwen Zheng (Tennis, China) – $20.6 million
- On-Field: $5.6M | Off-Field: $15M
- Endorsed by Audi, Chagee, Lancôme, Vivo
Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis, Belarus) – $18.7 million
- On-Field: $9.7M | Off-Field: $9M
- Achieved WTA Player of the Year with wins at the Australian Open and U.S. Open
Emma Raducanu (Tennis, UK) – $12.9 million
- On-Field: $0.9M | Off-Field: $12M
- Endorsements: British Airways, Dior, HSBC
Nelly Korda (Golf, USA) – $12.5 million
- On-Field: $4.5M | Off-Field: $8M
- Sponsors include Nike, Goldman Sachs, Cisco, TaylorMade
Venus Williams (Tennis, USA) – $12.1 million
- On-Field: $0.1M | Off-Field: $12M
- Engaged in speaking engagements and entrepreneurial ventures like Palazzo
Simone Biles (Gymnastics, USA) – $11.2 million
- On-Field: $0.2M | Off-Field: $11M
- Starred in Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising” and led the “Gold Over America Tour”
Jessica Pegula (Tennis, USA) – $10.2 million
- On-Field: $4.2M | Off-Field: $6M
- Noted as the world’s richest tennis star due to her family’s wealth
Noteworthy Mentions
- Livvy Dunne (Gymnastics, USA) – Recognized as the highest-earning female college athlete, Dunne has been vocal about the NCAA’s settlement undervaluing her worth, emphasizing her significant social media influence and brand partnerships. People.com
- Naomi Osaka (Tennis, Japan) – Although not in the top 10 for 2025, Osaka continues to be a significant figure in women’s sports, with substantial earnings from endorsements.
The landscape of women’s sports in 2025 showcases a diverse array of athletes excelling both on and off the field. While Coco Gauff leads in annual earnings, Serena Williams’ enduring legacy and business acumen solidify her status as the richest female athlete overall. The increasing earnings and endorsements reflect the growing recognition and commercial viability of female athletes across various sports disciplines.