Badminton player Saina Nehwal has made quite a name for herself as she was awarded India’s top honors in sports. However, she’s more than just a badminton champion. On a larger scale, Nehwal represents Indian-born athletes who have successfully been breaking into the pro sports world.
She has now become a notable sports figure in India, which allowed for some TV appearances that have added to her net worth. She even released an autobiography, which later inspired a 2018 biopic. A star in the making, Nehwal is currently worth around $24 million.
Ronda Rousey – $15 Million
Though Ronda Rousey has retired from MMA, she is most certainly counted as one of the top female athletes in the world. Before stepping into the MMA spotlight, Rousey won medals for her Judo skills in the Olympics and other competitions. She moved on from Judo at age 21 and then leaped into the world of mixed martial arts.
After this, Rousey proceeded to make history when she became the very first female fighter signed to UFC. She has also branched out into acting since the beginning of her career and has appeared in films like Expendables 3, Furious 7, and the TV show Entourage. Now boasting a net worth of $12 million, you can still catch Rousey as a wrestler in the WWE.
Billie Jean King – $20 Million
Billie Jean King has become the face not only of the women's’ pro tennis world but also of female athletes everywhere. A champion on and off the court, King has been an advocate for female athletes to be equally recognized alongside male pros. One of her most famous wins was the Battle of the Sexes matches against Bobby Riggs in 1973.
In her illustrious career, King won 39 major tournaments in the ’60s and ’70s, including singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Today, because of her legacy, King is worth about $20 million.
Li Na – $50 Million
Li Na, is the first Chinese player to make it to the top in the tennis world. Na, who ranked number two in the world, won both the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open. Being the top player in China, she has raked in many endorsement deals and is the first Asian tennis player to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
As of today, Na has obtained $16 million in winnings and, along with her endorsement deals, has a net worth of $50 million.
Michelle Kwan – $16 Million
After winning the US Figure Skating Championships nine times, Michelle Kwan has become one of the biggest names in the sport. But her career wasn’t always so full of winning streaks. Kwan started out as an underdog until her consistent training on the rink began paying off in the 90s.
Though she may not have a gold medal on her shelf, Kwan has made the most of her endorsement deals and guest celebrity appearances on TV shows. And with a net worth of $16 million, she will be good as gold, medal or not.