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It's been a record-breaking year for women's sports in performance and paychecks. For the first time, 11 female athletes brought in over $10 million each, with tennis still dominating the top 10. But what's exciting is the growing range of sports, including golf, gymnastics, freestyle skiing, and more.
Still, Forbes reported that no women rank in the top 50 highest-paid athletes around the world — for the second year in a row. While that ghastly fact clearly highlights the gross inequities and very obvious pay gap between men and women in sports, we still wanna celebrate the financial accomplishments these 10 female athletes still managed to achieve. Look at the standout women paving the way in prize money and endorsement deals. (And no matter what they make, we still think they rock!)
Scroll to meet the highest-paid female athletes in 2025!
1. Coco Gauff
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Coco Gauff leads the pack with a massive $34.4 million in total earnings. The 20-year-old US Open champion made $9.4 million on the court and pulled in $25 million from endorsements with brands like L'Oréal and Naked Juice. Her mix of talent, charisma, and authenticity has made her a marketer's dream.
2. Iga Świątek
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Coming in second is Iga Świątek, with $23.8 million. The Polish star and former world No. 1 has been a dominant force on the tour, earning $8.8 million in prize money. Off the court, she's teamed up with brands like Rolex, Porsche, and Lancôme, boosting her income by another $15 million.
3. Eileen Gu
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Eileen Gu, the freestyle skier representing China, brought in $22.1 million—almost all of it came from endorsements. With just $100K earned from competition, her deals with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. show just how valuable her global appeal is.
4. Zheng Qinwen
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Tennis star Zheng Qinwen earned $20.6 million, with $15 million coming from partnerships with Audi, Lancôme, and Vivo. She's one of the fastest-rising athletes out of China and is already drawing comparisons to Li Na.
5. Aryna Sabalenka
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Aryna Sabalenka follows with $18.7 million, split nearly evenly between winnings and sponsorships. The Australian Open champ is known for her fiery game and brand deals with Nike and Oakberry.
6. Naomi Osaka
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Even with limited play, Naomi Osaka still earned $12.9 million thanks to her continued endorsement success. The four-time Grand Slam winner has partnered with major names like Nike, Panasonic, and Louis Vuitton.
7. Emma Raducanu
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Emma Raducanu matched that total with her own $12.9 million. While injuries have kept her off the court, her marketability remains strong through deals with Dior, British Airways, and HSBC.
8. Nelly Korda
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Nelly Korda raked in $12.5 million in golf, making her the highest-paid female golfer of the year. Her strong 2024 season and partnerships with Nike and Goldman Sachs helped her top the charts.
9. Venus Williams
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Tennis icon Venus Williams brought in $12.1 million, mostly from off-court ventures like her fashion line and brand deals—proof of her lasting influence in and outside of sports.
10. Simon Biles
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And rounding out the top 10 is Simone Biles, who earned $11.2 million. After making her return to gymnastics in 2023, she reestablished herself as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.
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