The world of porn is littered with thousands of hopeful stars who want to get their shot at the big-time, starring in the top-notch films and working with the best directors and producers in the industry. And, on the surface, being a porn star might not seem like hard work — after all, they’re getting paid to have sex — it’s actually much more difficult than one would think.
Like any industry, porn stars are forced to start at the bottom and work their way towards the top, coming across various speed bumps during the ride. And, unlike Hollywood actors and actresses who can catch a big break and go onto superstardom, the richest porn stars in the world got there by expanding their empire beyond just film, utilizing a presence on social media, appearances and even customizable sex toys.
Don’t fool yourself, while being paid a good amount of money to have sex each and everyday sounds like fun, it’s a hell of a lot work and time to reach the top. For the girls listed below, they’ve gotten to the pinnacle of the porn industry, and are some of the most well-known — and most influential — in the business of sex.
10. Nikki Benz – $1 million
Getting her big break as an 18-year-old, Nikki Benz got her opportunity in the porn industry and has since gone on to film more than 180 videos. The Ukranian-born porn star has also made a name for herself as a pin-up girl for multiple magazines and from personalized sex toys.
9. Asa Akira – $1.5 million
After working as a 20-something-year-old stripper, Asa Akira met porn star Gina Lynn and, just like that, became an instant sensation in the porn industry. Leaving the stage for film, Asa has since gone on to earn a number of AVN awards, including Female Performer of the Year in 2013.
8. Lisa Ann – $2 million
Although Lisa Ann stopped starring in porno vids in the early 2000s, she continued to be a major influence in within the industry because of the name she made for herself prior to retiring from filming. From personalized sex toys to expanding her brand into a number of media ventures — like a fantasy football radio show — Lisa Ann helped pave the way for future girls in the industry.
7. Sunny Leone – $2.5 million
Initially rising to fame in India and Bollywood porn, Sunny Leone became a household name worldwide thanks to her natural good looks and tremendous sex scenes. Outside of doing just porn, Sunny has starred in feature films, too, which has helped both her popularity and bank account.
6. Sasha Grey – $3 million
Sasha Grey worked her way up from a waitress in Sacramento to one of the biggest porn stars on the planet. And, due to that hard work and drive, she’s now earned millions from the decision, even being ranked No. 1 on on Genesis magazine’s 2009 edition of its annual “Porn’s Hot 100” issue.
5. Jenna Haze – $3.7 million
Jenna Haze is one of the most award-winning porn stars on the planet, raking in multiple honors like best solo sex scene, best butt and various others throughout her career. Never one to turn down an innovative and raunchy new sex scene, Jenna gained a tremendous following from her acting, but made her fortune in other ventures, too.
4. Bree Olson – $5 million
After making nearly 300 porno films in a five-year stretch, Bree Olson made most of her money from her personalized sex toys, which can be found all over the world in various sex shops. Rising to fame from her name Poster Girl, Bree never looked back once she hit it big, and her bank account reflects that.
3. Jesse Jane – $8 million
Want to know about the dream scenario within the porn industry? Jesse Jane read the story of fellow porn star Tera Patrick, wrote a letter and signed a deal to become an entertainer herself. From there, she built an empire and following through multiple businesses outside of just porn and, like others here, from personalized sex toys.
2. Tera Patrick – $15 million
In addition to her acting career, Tera Patrick also made her millions by running her own production company, Teravision. Like others on this list, Patrick expanded her brand beyond just starring in movies, which has led to such a high payout.
1. Jenna Jameson – $30 million
With a net worth of about $30 million, porn star Jenna Jameson — who no longer stars in films — tops the list by raking in about double the second highest-paid entertainer. From her films to distributing personalized sex toys and creating a brand for herself, Jenna is a power player in the porn industry.