Peter Smith
The Bronx bombshell Cardi B just made history with her insane $101.6 million net worth in 2025, officially becoming the second richest female rapper of all time – and honestly, she thinks she's worth even more than that.
From working at a random deli in Manhattan to becoming one of the biggest names in hip-hop, Cardi B's story is the ultimate rags-to-riches tale. The "Bodak Yellow" queen, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, has built an empire that most people can only dream of – and she did it all while keeping it 100% real with her fans.
How Cardi B Started Making Her First Dollar
Before she was throwing money in the air, Cardi was literally counting pennies at the Amish Market in TriBeCa. This wasn't some glamorous first job – she was just a regular teenager trying to pay her bills and get out of a really bad situation at home. Working as a cashier was tough, especially when you're barely making enough to survive in New York City.
Everything changed when she got fired for hooking up her coworker with a massive discount (honestly, who hasn't been there?). But instead of being devastated, one of her managers basically changed her whole life by saying, "You're pretty, you've got a nice body – why don't you try the strip club across the street?" That's how she ended up at New York Dolls, and the rest is history.
Building Her Empire: The Stripping Years and Smart Money Moves
Here's the thing about Cardi – she never saw stripping as just a temporary gig. She had a plan from day one. "It really saved me from a lot of things. When I started stripping I went back to school," she's said multiple times. While other people might judge, Cardi was out here making strategic moves to escape poverty and an abusive relationship.
She saved every dollar she could, dreaming about investing in her music career and making her own mixtape. The girl was literally working at night and going to Borough of Manhattan Community College during the day (though she eventually dropped out). And yeah, she had to lie to her mom about where the money was coming from – telling her she was babysitting instead of dancing. But hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to survive.
Around 2013, she started posting these hilarious, no-filter videos on Vine and Instagram that went absolutely viral. People couldn't get enough of her personality and her real talk about life.
When Cardi B Hit Her Peak: Love & Hip Hop to Chart Domination
The VH1 reality show Love & Hip Hop: New York was basically Cardi's launching pad to superstardom. She joined the cast in 2015 and immediately became everyone's favorite. People loved her authenticity and the fact that she never tried to be someone she wasn't. During her time on the show, she dropped two mixtapes – "Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1" and "Vol. 2" – showing everyone she was serious about this music thing.
But 2017? That was her year. "Bodak Yellow" didn't just hit – it absolutely demolished the charts. She became the first female rapper to hit number one with a solo track since Lauryn Hill back in 1998. We're talking about making history here. According to reports from that time, she was pulling in close to $1 million per month. Not bad for someone who was working at a deli just a few years earlier, right?
Cardi B Net Worth Today: How Much Is She Really Making?
So here's where things get really interesting. Official reports put cardi b net worth at around $101.6 million, making her the second richest female rapper ever (behind Nicki Minaj's $190.5 million). But Cardi herself has hinted that she's actually worth way more than what's being reported publicly.
About $80 million of her wealth comes from her music catalog rights, which is honestly genius because that money keeps growing. Then you've got her Fashion Nova deal that reportedly brings in $20,000 every single month, plus all those commercials for Pepsi and Amazon Alexa. She's also got streaming royalties, concert money, brand partnerships – the girl has her fingers in everything.
The crazy part? She's not even 33 years old yet, and her cardi b net worth just keeps climbing. With her upcoming album "Am I the Drama?" dropping in September 2025, those numbers are probably going to get even more ridiculous.
Cardi B's Real Talk: Her Success Tips That Actually Work
One thing about Cardi – she always keeps it real about money and success. At a beauty industry event, she dropped some serious knowledge that most people won't tell you. "I am going to give you some advice that a lot of people aren't going to tell you... If you in college, I don't give a f--- what you studying, take a business class," she said.
She admits she learned this the hard way. "Me, I got mad money, mad money — but you want to know something? I have to hire business managers and s--- and pay extra money for these people that develop business because I didn't took the class." Basically, she's saying don't be like her – learn about business early so you can run your own empire.
Her other golden rules? Never be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they're stupid. "Don't be ashamed to ask questions," she says, because signing the wrong contract can mess up your whole life. And always, always get a lawyer. "Get lawyers for everything... Even though you think it is expensive, it's the most necessary s---."
But maybe her best advice is about mindset: "Knock me down 9 times, but I get up 10" and "Do what you do and make your own way." She's all about staying true to yourself and not letting anyone else dictate how you should chase your dreams.
From that Amish Market checkout counter to a $101.6 million fortune, Cardi B's story proves that with hustle, smart decisions, and staying authentic to who you are, you can literally change your entire life. And with her business empire still growing, don't be surprised if that cardi b net worth number gets even crazier in the coming years.
Peter Smith
