Jeffree Star Net Worth 2025: How He Built a $200M Empire
Jeffree Star commands a $200 million net worth in 2025. His fortune stems from Jeffree Star Cosmetics, YouTube earnings, real estate flips, and an unexpected Wyoming yak ranch.
The beauty mogul’s wealth isn’t a fluke. Star transformed early MySpace fame into a cosmetics empire that once generated $100 million annually, then diversified into ten separate businesses that protect his fortune from single-industry volatility.
The Foundation: Early Struggles and MySpace Fame
Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr. faced tragedy at age six when his father died by suicide. His mother, a model, raised him alone in Orange County, California. Star experimented with her makeup as a child and wore it to junior high—an unconventional choice that shaped his future brand.
After graduating from Pacifica High School in 2002, Star legally changed his surname and moved to Los Angeles. He worked makeup counters, weddings, and photoshoots while sneaking into clubs with a fake ID to network with potential celebrity clients.
MySpace changed everything. By 2006, Star became the platform’s most-followed personality, posting bold photos and music that attracted tens of thousands of comments per post. His androgynous appearance and candid commentary on beauty and confidence built a loyal audience before YouTube or Instagram existed.
Key Takeaways:
- Turned childhood passion for makeup into professional skill during teens
- Built social media following of millions before age 21
- Mastered self-promotion and personal branding on MySpace
The Music Detour That Nearly Bankrupted Him
Star’s MySpace fame led to a music career. His 2009 debut album “Beauty Killer” hit #7 on Billboard’s Top Electronic Albums chart. The track “Lollipop Luxury” featured Nicki Minaj, proving his ability to secure high-profile collaborations.
Akon signed Star to Konvict Muzik in 2010, calling him “the next Lady Gaga.” The partnership failed due to creative differences. No second album materialized. Star later called the record deal “the biggest mistake I’ve ever made” and abandoned music by 2013, nearly broke.
This failure became the catalyst for his business empire. Facing bankruptcy with no music income, Star made a desperate pivot that would define his fortune.
Key Takeaways:
- Music career provided initial capital but ended in financial disaster
- Strategic pivot from failing venture led to cosmetics success
- Learned hard lessons about creative control and business partnerships
Jeffree Star Cosmetics: The $100M Gamble
Star invested his remaining savings in 2014 to launch Jeffree Star Cosmetics. He was “essentially bankrupt” when he released three Velour Liquid Lipstick shades. All 30,000 units sold out within minutes.
The brand expanded rapidly: lip scrubs, eyeshadow palettes, highlighters, accessories. Every product was vegan and cruelty-free, aligning with consumer values. Star’s YouTube channel became his primary marketing tool, generating massive hype for each launch without traditional advertising costs.
By 2018, Morphe retail stores carried his products. The “Blue Blood” eyeshadow palette drew lines at store openings. Star claimed the company grossed over $100 million annually at its peak—an unverified figure for the private company, but supported by his visible assets and later data.
Revenue has stabilized. According to NeoReach, the brand generated $45 million in 2022. Zawya reported $31.7 million for 2023. ECDB.com documented $36.1 million in e-commerce net sales for 2024. While lower than peak years, these figures still represent a highly profitable beauty brand with exceptional margins on direct-to-consumer sales.
Key Takeaways:
- Invested life savings when nearly bankrupt—high-risk, high-reward move
- Used YouTube as free marketing channel, saving millions in ad spend
- Direct-to-consumer model maintains higher profit margins than traditional retail
- Revenue stabilized at $30-45M annually after peak years
Income Breakdown: How Star Makes $15-20M Yearly
Star’s wealth flows from multiple sources. His cosmetics brand remains the foundation, but diversification creates stability.
Jeffree Star Cosmetics: Generates $30-45 million in annual sales based on recent data. As a private company with direct sales, profit margins likely exceed 40%, putting annual profit around $12-18 million before taxes.
YouTube and Social Media: Star earned $18 million in 2018, $17 million in 2019, and $15 million in 2020 from YouTube alone, making him a top-5 earning creator those years. His 15+ million subscribers and 2.6 billion total views generate steady AdSense income. Current estimates suggest $2-5 million annually from YouTube ads plus sponsorships.
TikTok Livestreams: Star revealed in November 2024 that he earns $50,000 per TikTok livestream through product sales and viewer gifts. He goes live 4-5 times weekly. That’s $200,000-250,000 weekly, or roughly $10-13 million annually from TikTok alone.
Merchandise and Spin-Off Brands: Killer Merch operates from a five-warehouse facility in California with 125 employees, producing merchandise for Star and other influencers. Jeffree Star Skin (launched 2022) and Jeffree Star Pets add smaller revenue streams in the seven figures.
Investments: Cannabis industry stakes, Scorpio Logistics fulfillment center in Wyoming, and real estate generate passive income and long-term value growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Diversification across 10+ businesses protects against single-point failure
- TikTok livestreams now rival YouTube as income source
- Owning fulfillment infrastructure increases profit margins
- Multiple passive income streams from investments and real estate
Real Estate: $3M in Profit From Strategic Flips
Star’s real estate moves demonstrate financial savvy. He purchased a Calabasas mansion for $3.62 million in 2016, renovated extensively, then sold for $3.4 million in November 2020—a slight loss but strategic timing before his Wyoming move.
His major win: a Hidden Hills estate purchased for $14.6 million in December 2019. The 25,000-square-foot property on three acres featured eight bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and custom luxury finishes. Star listed it for $19.5 million in June 2021 and accepted $16.7 million in June 2022—a $2.1 million profit in 2.5 years.
Star then purchased 70 acres in Wyoming, later expanding to 570+ total acres. This land houses Star Yak Ranch, his cosmetics headquarters, and the Scorpio Logistics fulfillment center. The Wyoming move reduced overhead while creating new business opportunities.
Key Takeaways:
- California real estate provided $2+ million profit in under 3 years
- Wyoming properties offer lower costs with business tax advantages
- Strategic timing on sales captured market peaks
The Yak Ranch and 10-Business Empire
Star operates over 500 yaks on his Wyoming ranch, selling yak meat, jerky, and offering agri-tourism. The downtown Jeffree Star Store in Casper combines makeup sales, yak products, career memorabilia, and his exotic car collection in one location.
His full business portfolio includes:
- Jeffree Star Cosmetics (core brand)
- Killer Merch (merchandise production and fulfillment)
- Jeffree Star Skin (skincare line)
- Jeffree Star Pets (pet products)
- Star Yak Ranch (livestock and meat products)
- Scorpio Logistics (shipping and fulfillment)
- Retail store in Casper
- Cannabis investments
- Real estate holdings
- Luxury collectibles (100+ Hermès Birkin bags, 25 luxury cars worth $2.4M+)
This diversification means no single business failure threatens his overall wealth. When cosmetics revenue declined from peak years, TikTok income and other ventures filled the gap.
Key Takeaways:
- 10+ business model spreads risk across industries
- Wyoming headquarters cuts costs while opening new markets
- Luxury assets serve as both personal enjoyment and wealth storage
Controversies and Business Resilience
Star’s career includes significant controversies. Resurfaced videos from the early 2000s showed racist language, for which he later apologized. Public feuds with Kat Von D, James Charles, Kylie Jenner, and others generated headlines. In 2020, Morphe severed their partnership amid renewed backlash, pulling his products from stores. Allegations of sexual misconduct and hush-money payments emerged the same year; Star denied wrongdoing.
These controversies impacted business. Cosmetics revenue dropped from $100M+ peaks to $30-45M currently. However, Star’s loyal fanbase remained, and his shift to TikTok opened new audiences less aware of past issues. His ability to pivot platforms and diversify income streams protected his fortune during reputation crises.
Key Takeaways:
- Controversies reduced but didn’t eliminate his customer base
- Platform diversification helped reach new audiences
- Business model resilience proved stronger than reputation damage
What Aspiring Creators Can Learn
Star’s path from bankruptcy to $200 million offers lessons for content creators and entrepreneurs:
Audience First: Star built millions of followers before launching products. His cosmetics succeeded because distribution (his audience) existed before the product.
Own Your Infrastructure: By controlling fulfillment, manufacturing, and distribution through Killer Merch and Scorpio Logistics, Star keeps more profit per sale than competitors using third parties.
Diversify Early: Star didn’t wait for cosmetics to decline. He launched skincare, pets, merchandise, and other ventures while his core brand thrived, creating safety nets.
Platform Agility: When YouTube became saturated and controversies hurt brand partnerships, Star pivoted to TikTok livestreams, generating $10M+ annually from a platform barely used by competitors.
Test Before Scaling: The initial three lipstick shades tested market demand before major investment. This lean launch approach reduced risk.
FAQ
What is Jeffree Star’s net worth in 2025?
Jeffree Star’s net worth is $200 million in 2025, built primarily through Jeffree Star Cosmetics, YouTube earnings, TikTok livestreams, and real estate investments across multiple properties.
How much does Jeffree Star make per year?
Star earns an estimated $15-20 million annually from combined sources including cosmetics profits, YouTube ad revenue, TikTok livestreams generating $50,000 each session, merchandise sales, and passive investment income.
What is Jeffree Star Cosmetics worth?
Jeffree Star Cosmetics generates $30-45 million in annual revenue based on 2022-2024 data from NeoReach, Zawya, and ECDB, with e-commerce net sales of $36.1 million documented for 2024.
How much does Jeffree Star make on TikTok?
Star earns $50,000 per TikTok livestream through product sales and viewer gifts, going live 4-5 times weekly for approximately $10-13 million in annual TikTok income, revealed in November 2024.
What businesses does Jeffree Star own besides cosmetics?
Star operates 10+ businesses including Killer Merch production, Jeffree Star Skin and Pets lines, Star Yak Ranch in Wyoming, Scorpio Logistics fulfillment center, cannabis investments, and real estate holdings.
