Top 10 Highest Paid Female Athlete - 2025 (Ranked)

In the dynamic world of sports, women’s sports are on a steady and anticipated rise. The Female athletes are breaking records and smashing ceilings, be it in competition or in payment charts. From the field of tennis to the footballing grounds, the highest paid female athletes are showing what it means to be a champion both on and off the field.

Legends like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are leading the charts as they secure medals on the field and big money business moves off the field. These women aren’t just the champions, but they are also some of highest paid female athletes around the globe. These trailblazers inspire millions of people and attract the attention of brands all over the world, making them more than just athletes. Discover not only who is the highest-paid female athlete in 2025, but also how marketability, talent, and personality come together to produce unstoppable success stories.

List of Highest Paid Female Athletes 2025

The spotlight on women’s sports has never been brighter, with highest paid female athletes topping the sports pages of record earnings through a combination of prize money on the field and endorsements off the field. The game of tennis continues to dominate these tables with athletes like Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka. However, the highest paid female athletes 2025 list includes female athletes from golf, gymnastics, and even freestyle skiing, reflecting the growing commercial appeal of women across a wider range of sports disciplines.

The charts of highest paid female athletes are based on verified earnings data and estimates. The list contains a diverse mix of youth and senior veterans showcasing not only the excellence of athletes but also their brand power established through their fan following across the globe, compelling brands to hand over to them big blockbuster endorsement deals. If you’re wondering who the highest paid female athlete is right now, this breakdown provides a definitive answer supported by hard numbers and global reach.

How We Ranked the Highest Paid Female Athletes?

Identifying the highest-paid female athletes in 2025 involves more complex factors than just prize money or club salaries. These days, athletes build diversified portfolios that go beyond the sporting field. Our rankings combine verified figures from salaries, bonuses, endorsement deals, and commercial ventures to present a comprehensive picture of who is the highest paid female athlete this year. Below are the key factors we used to assess the earnings of the highest paid female athletes across various sports.

• Salary

The core of every athlete’s income sheet is their salary. Be it their contract with a sports team, prize money they win from participating in tournaments or their match fees in some sports. For this, we took into account the official figures from sports leagues and other competitions’ pay-outs. From Grand Slam wins in tennis to annual contracts in football. The wage component highlights female athletes whose competitive achievement strongly correlates with financial gain. It's also an important metric for comparing the highest-paid female athlete based on sporting ability.

• Endorsements

In the modern sporting world, income through endorsement has been a game-changing factor. It has turned out to be one crucial factor while determining the highest paid female athlete. Many top athletes earn more through brand collaboration than their salaries. Partnerships with sporting brands like Nike, Adidas or Puma, or collaborations with other brands like Red Bull or Rolex, not only boost their presence and public profile but also get millions added to the annual incomes of these athletes. For example, athletes like Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka are not just tennis stars; they’re brand powerhouses.

• Commercial Activities

Beyond salaries and endorsements, many of the highest paid female athletes 2025 are carving out additional income through personal branding and entrepreneurial ventures. They might include many speaking gigs, social media monetisation or strategic investments.

The highest paid female athletes usually charge fixed figures for appearances or social media posts, while some of them build long-term business beyond sports. Commercial success off the field has become essential for staying on top of the highest paid female athletes lists, showcasing how sportswomen are evolving into full-scale business moguls.

Who is the Highest Paid Female Athlete Currently?

In terms of earnings, tennis, gymnastics, and golf are the most competitive sports among elite women athletes in 2025. Due to their strong personal brand, significant endorsement deals, and steady top-tier finishes in their sport, the highest paid female athlete currently dominates both performance and marketability.

Owing to their strong personal brand and many blockbuster endorsement deals, their commercial value has skyrocketed, making them global icons through their respective sports. As a result, many of them comfortably lead the list of the highest paid female athletes in the world.

10. Simone Biles (Gymnastics, USA) – $11.2M

Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history and one of the highest paid female athletes globally. In 2025, her earnings of $11.2 million come mainly from endorsements with top brands like Athleta and Visa, alongside selective competition prize money. Biles’s status as a sports icon transcends gymnastics, making her a leading figure among the highest paid athletes female.

Simone’s story inspires many, and she consistently features in discussions about who is the highest paid female athlete, thanks to her blend of athletic achievement and commercial success in the landscape of highest paid female athletes 2025.

9. Venus Williams (Tennis, USA) – $12.1M

Venus Williams, a veteran and icon in tennis, remains a key figure among the highest paid female athletes. Her 2025 earnings are estimated at $12.1 million, predominantly from endorsements, which reflects her lasting influence on and off the court. Venus’s brand extends beyond tennis into fashion and philanthropy, making her a multi-dimensional athlete.

Her longevity and business acumen place her prominently in the highest-paid female athlete category, and she continues to be a role model for aspiring players wondering who is the highest paid female athlete.

8. Nelly Korda (Golf, USA) – $12.5M

Nelly Korda stands out as one of the few golf players among the highest paid female athletes. In 2025, she earned $12.5 million, combining $4.5 million in prize money with $8 million in endorsements. Korda’s success on the LPGA Tour and strong brand partnerships, including with Nike and Citizen, have boosted her to elite status among the highest-paid female athletes in non-tennis sports.

Nelly’s career highlights the diversification of sports represented by highest paid female athletes of 2025, showing that excellence and marketability can cross sport boundaries. She is a prime example for young athletes asking who is the highest paid female athlete outside of tennis.

7. Emma Raducanu (Tennis, UK) – $12.9M

Emma Raducanu’s meteoric rise has made her one of the highest paid female athletes despite limited on-court time due to injuries. With $0.9 million in prize money and $12 million in endorsements in 2025, Raducanu has shown immense commercial appeal, signing with major global brands like Nike and Dior. She exemplifies how young talent can quickly ascend the ranks of highest paid athletes female worldwide.

Her story often surfaces in discussions on who is the highest paid female athlete, highlighting the power of branding and media presence in shaping athlete income. Emma Raducanu remains a key figure in the highest paid female athletes 2025 conversation.

6. Naomi Osaka (Tennis, Japan) – $12.9M

Naomi Osaka remains a household name among the highest paid female athletes despite recent breaks from competitive tennis. Her 2025 earnings of $12.9 million come mainly from endorsements, totalling $12 million, with prize money making up a smaller portion. Osaka’s global brand appeal is unparalleled, with deals from Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Beats by Dre, making her one of the most marketable highest paid athletes female can find.

Her journey demonstrates the increasing importance of off-court earnings in the profile of who is the highest paid female athlete today. Osaka continues to influence the highest paid female athletes 2025 landscape with her impactful brand and charitable endeavours.

5. Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis, Belarus) – $18.7M

Aryna Sabalenka has solidified her status as one of the highest paid female athletes through consistent success on the tennis circuit. With $9.7 million earned from prize money and $9 million from endorsements in 2025, she commands a sizable income that places her well within the elite of highest paid athletes female. Aryna’s aggressive playing style and multiple WTA titles have boosted her profile and earnings alike.

Sabalenka’s rising commercial value illustrates the blend of athletic performance and marketing that defines the highest paid female athletes 2025. Fans often cite her as a leading contender when discussing who is the highest paid female athlete, due to her impressive balance of prize earnings and endorsement deals.

4. Zheng Qinwen (Tennis, China) – $20.6M

Zheng Qinwen is a rising star in women’s tennis and ranks among the highest paid female athletes thanks to her strong performance and rapidly growing endorsement portfolio. In 2025, she earned around $20.6 million, splitting her earnings between $5.6 million in prize money and $15 million in endorsements. Zheng’s commercial appeal in both the Chinese and global markets makes her a powerful figure among the highest paid athletes female tennis players.

Her rapid rise is a clear example of how the global tennis landscape is shifting, creating opportunities for new stars to become some of the highest paid female athletes 2025. Zheng’s blend of on-court success and off-court marketability makes her a fascinating athlete to watch.

3. Eileen Gu (Freestyle Skiing, China/USA) – $22.1M

Eileen Gu is a unique figure among the highest paid female athletes, standing out as a freestyle skiing champion with a global fanbase. Her annual earnings of $22.1 million are heavily weighted towards off-field income, with about $22 million coming from endorsements, while prize money from competitions is relatively modest. Eileen’s appeal spans East and West, thanks to her dual heritage and successful partnerships with brands like Victoria’s Secret, Tiffany & Co., and Red Bull.

Gu’s commercial success emphasises how highest paid female athlete today are not just dominating their sports but also thriving as international influencers and entrepreneurs. When people wonder who is the highest paid female athlete, Eileen Gu’s name frequently appears, especially among athletes outside mainstream team sports. She embodies the growing diversity of the highest paid female athletes 2025.

2. Iga Świątek (Tennis, Poland) – $23.8M

Polish tennis sensation Iga Świątek ranks among the highest paid female athletes thanks to her outstanding performance and lucrative endorsement deals. In 2025, she earned approximately $23.8 million, combining $8.8 million in prize money with $15 million from endorsements. Iga’s consistent dominance on the WTA Tour and multiple Grand Slam titles have propelled her into the elite category of highest paid female athletes that women can aspire to.

Świątek’s commercial partnerships with global brands like On Running and Red Bull enhance her earnings substantially, making her a major figure in the conversation around who is the highest paid female athlete. Her ability to blend sporting excellence with strong marketing appeal typifies the profile of the highest paid female athletes 2025.

1. Coco Gauff (Tennis, USA) – $34.4M

Coco Gauff is currently one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world, making waves not only with her on-court prowess but also with her remarkable earning power off the court. In 2025, Gauff’s total earnings of $34.4 million place her at the very top of the rankings for highest-paid female athletes. Her $9.4 million in prize money, combined with a staggering $25 million from endorsements, highlights her marketability and global appeal. Coco has attracted major brands such as New Balance, Barilla, and Head, cementing her status as a top-tier female athlete who excels both athletically and commercially.

As a rising star in tennis, Coco represents the growing trend of young athletes becoming major business icons. Fans and industry watchers alike often ask, who is the highest paid female athlete? At the moment, Coco Gauff’s blend of youthful talent and sponsorship deals firmly answers that question. Her influence extends beyond sports, inspiring a generation of highest paid female athletes 2025 world.