Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj is a Trinidadian-American rapper, singer, and songwriter with an estimated net worth of $150 million. Widely regarded as one of the most commercially successful female rappers in music history, she has parlayed record sales and streaming success into a broader business portfolio spanning cosmetics, beverages, and fragrance.

Early Life & Family

Onika Tanya Maraj was born on December 8, 1982, in Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. She moved with her family to the Queens borough of New York City at around age five. Her childhood was marked by hardship; her father, Robert Maraj, struggled with substance addiction, a period she has spoken about publicly in interviews and her music. She attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, majoring in drama, and worked various jobs, including as a waitress, while pursuing a music career.

Rise to Fame

Minaj built her early following through a series of mixtapes released in the late 2000s, including “Playtime Is Over,” “Sucka Free,” and “Beam Me Up Scotty,” which showcased her rapid-fire delivery and character-driven alter egos. Her mixtape success led rapper Lil Wayne to sign her to Young Money Entertainment in 2009. Her major-label debut album, “Pink Friday” (2010), was a commercial breakthrough, producing hit singles and establishing her as a leading figure in mainstream hip-hop.

Career History

Following “Pink Friday,” Minaj released a string of successful albums, including “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” “The Pinkprint,” “Queen,” and “Pink Friday 2” (2023), along with the hit single “Super Bass” and numerous other charting records. She holds one of the highest counts of Billboard Hot 100 entries among female rappers in chart history, driven by both her solo work and a steady stream of guest features with other major artists. She has also continued extensive touring throughout her career.

How She Built Her Wealth

Minaj’s wealth is built primarily on music royalties, streaming income, and touring revenue accumulated over more than fifteen years as a top-selling recording artist. She has diversified into business ventures including an equity stake in Myx Fusions Moscato, long-term endorsement partnerships with MAC Cosmetics and Pepsi, and her own fragrance lines released under her name.

Personal Life

Minaj married Kenneth “Zoo” Petty in 2019, and the couple welcomed a son in 2020. She has referred to her son publicly by the nickname “Papa Bear.”

Known Assets

In 2022, Minaj purchased a mansion in the gated community of Hidden Hills, California, an area popular with musicians and entertainers.

Between record sales, touring, and her expanding business ventures, Nicki Minaj’s net worth is estimated at $150 million as of 2026.