Drag is both glam and global. Thanks to the phenomenon that is RuPaul’s Drag Race (and all of its many international offshoot series, including Canada’s Drag Race), the franchise has almost single-handedly launched drag culture into the mainstream. It’s also helped line the purses of some of the biggest stars to break out after landing a coveted spot in the reality competition. Drag can be a difficult career path if you’re looking to make money (as is the struggle for many performance artists), but these queens have taken it to the next level and are raking in the dough. With estimated numbers from sources like Celebrity Net Worth, Net Worth Post, Wealthy Persons, and Celebs Money, we rank the richest drag queens.
- Violet Chachki
Net Worth: $750,000
She’s cunning and she’s cutting in her remarks, but the season seven Drag Race winner won over a legion of fans with her aesthetics and iconic fashion references. A celebrated burlesque and aerial performer, Violet proved that she was more than just a “look queen.” Violet has a successful modeling and recording career under her cinched belt.
- Raja Gemini
Net Worth: $1,000,000
The RuPaul’s Drag Race season three winner and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season seven contestant has a reported estimated net worth of under a million (according to Celebs Money), although she’s gone on to enjoy a highly-successful and profitable career as a makeup artist to the stars. Born Sutan Amrull, the California queen has had her work appear on America’s Next Top Model and boasts an impressive client list that includes Tyra Banks, Pamela Anderson, Iman, and Iggy Azalea. Werk!
- Latrice Royale
Net Worth: $1,000,000
She’s “large and in charge.” An absolute force to be reckoned with, fan-favorite Latrice Royale originally slay the competition on the fourth season of Drag Race, before appearing on two seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars. It’s no surprise this queen (born Timothy Wilcots) makes the list with her estimated million-dollar net worth, given her adoring fanbase and frequent appearances at major drag events across the globe.
- Shangela Laquifa Wadley
Net Worth: $1,000,000
Halloo! Yes, some of us are still a little sore about that time Shangela (born Darius Pierce) was robbed on season three of All-Stars, but we’d say she’s rebounded quite nicely, thank you very much. As the first Drag Race alum to make an appearance at the Oscars (thanks to her memorable turn in A Star is Born alongside Lady Gaga), she’s also appeared on Community, 2 Broke Girls, Glee, Bones, The X-Files reboot, HBO’s We’re Here and Broad City. We stan a productive queen!
- Raven
Net Worth: $1,000,000
California-born David Petruschin catapulted to fame as his drag alter ego Raven after appearances on season two of Drag Race and season one of All-Stars. Raven has since gone on to become RuPaul’s makeup artist — her mad makeup skills even earned her a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series.