Rihanna has become the music industry’s richest woman at the age of 31.
With eight albums, numerous world tours, a groundbreaking beauty company, and now a luxury fashion label, the Barbadian star has amassed an estimated fortune of $600 million (Dh2.2 billion).
According to Forbes’ round-up of the richest women in music, Rihanna’s fortune outstretches the likes of Madonna ($570 million), Celine Dion ($450 million), and Beyonce ($400 million).
A large chunk of Rihanna's fortune is attributed to Fenty Beauty, the make-up company she launched back in 2017 that has won legions of fans around the world thanks to its inclusive shades and affordable prices. In 2018 alone, the brand saw $570 million in sales revenues.
And the singer has just made history with the launch of Fenty, a luxury fashion label under the umbrella of LVMH, the French company which owns Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi and Celine. Fenty is the first new label to be launched by the company since Christian Lacroix in 1987, making Rihanna the first woman to create an original house for LVMH.
Speaking to the New York Times earlier this year, Rihanna – real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty – said: "I never thought I'd make this much money, so a number is not going to stop me from working."
Rihanna is set to release her ninth studio album R9 later this year, so it looks as though her reign as music's first lady won't be ending anytime soon.
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
