Picture this: someone raking in $75 million in a single year. That's more than Margot Robbie pulled in from her huge hit, Barbie, in 2023. It's also more than what Charlie Sheen earned at the height of his fame. And get this—one individual, who doesn't act, sing, or dance, managed to pull this off in just one year. All thanks to a TV show. This is the tale of the unexpected executive who has become the highest-paid TV star in the world.

The top-earning TV star in the world

Simon Cowell, the music mogul, TV producer, and reality show judge, has held the title of the highest-paid TV star for more than ten years. During the 2012-13 season of The X Factor, he raked in an impressive $75 million, making it the biggest payday for anyone in a single season of a TV show. According to the New York Daily News, his earnings included royalties from being the creator and executive producer of the show, allowing him to earn over six times what Britney Spears was making as a fellow judge that season.

How Simon Cowell outshined the superstars

In the same season that Cowell raked in $75 million for X Factor, his fellow judge Britney Spears, who was a bigger name, took home $12 million. Cowell's massive earnings came from his unique position as both a judge and the show's creator. Over the years, many big-name musicians have joined reality shows as coaches and judges, but none have come close to Cowell's earnings. The closest was Jennifer Lopez, who made $20 million for American Idol back in 2011.

When it comes to actors, Sarah Jessica Parker holds the title for the highest paycheck. From 2001 to 2004, she earned over $57 million each season for her role in Sex And The City. Charlie Sheen also made a hefty sum, pocketing $40 million for Two And A Half Men during the 2010-11 season. However, due to shorter seasons, stars from streaming shows aren't in the running. For example, Chris Pratt earned just over $11 million for his lead role in Amazon Prime Video's Terminal List in 2022, while both Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon made $20 million per season for Apple TV's The Morning Show.

The amazing fortune of Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell, known for his role as a judge on hit talent shows like Pop Idol and American Idol, gained fame by creating two major franchises: The X Factor and Got Talent. He also started the media company Syco. Frequently listed among the 100 most influential people globally, Cowell played a key role in launching One Direction, which became one of the biggest boy bands of the 21st century. As of 2024, Yahoo! reports his net worth at $600 million, positioning him as one of the wealthiest figures in TV and media.

Read Also: Manisha Koirala Speaks Out on Ageism: "I Was Sidelined Because People Think I'm Old"

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!