Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar on October 11, 1992, has transformed her life story from the streets of the Bronx to one of hip-hop’s most powerful success tales. Now 33 years old in 2025, Cardi B has an estimated net worth of $80 million, with about $50 million of that value tied to her music catalog rights. Her fortune is a mix of record-breaking hits, endorsements, acting roles, and business ventures, proving she is more than just a chart-topping rapper.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Cardi B grew up in New York City, raised by a Dominican father and Trinidadian mother. She has seven siblings, including her sister Hennessy Carolina, who also has a strong social media presence. Coming from a modest background, Cardi attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology before later enrolling at Borough of Manhattan Community College. She dropped out, but during her late teens, she worked as a stripper, which she has described as a turning point that gave her financial independence and saved her from hardship.
The stage name “Cardi B” came from her nickname inspired by the rum brand Bacardi. Her sharp personality and raw honesty helped her viral videos gain traction online by 2013, leading to her casting in VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: New York in 2015. In just two seasons, Cardi B became the breakout star, and by 2016 she left the show to focus on music full-time.
Musical Breakthrough and Achievements
Cardi B’s career-changing moment came in 2017 with “Bodak Yellow.” The single soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first solo female rapper to achieve the feat since Lauryn Hill in 1998. The track went septuple platinum and cemented her as a global superstar.
Her debut studio album, “Invasion of Privacy” (2018), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified double platinum. Every song on the album charted on the Hot 100 at the same time, a record-setting achievement for a female artist. The album won Best Rap Album at the Grammy Awards, marking Cardi as the first solo female rapper to earn the award.
Following this success, Cardi delivered massive hits like “I Like It,” “WAP,” and “Up.” Collaborations with artists such as Maroon 5 on “Girls Like You,” DJ Snake on “Taki Taki,” and GloRilla on “Tomorrow 2” further expanded her global appeal. She continues to dominate streaming platforms with more than 30 million monthly listeners on Spotify and billions of views on YouTube.
Expanding Beyond Music
Cardi B has proven herself to be more than just a rapper. In 2019, she starred in the film “Hustlers,” which earned critical acclaim, followed by a role in “F9” from the Fast & Furious franchise in 2020. She also served as a judge on Netflix’s “Rhythm + Flow” alongside Chance the Rapper and T.I., mentoring upcoming hip-hop artists.
In 2020, Cardi launched her web series “Cardi Tries” on Facebook Messenger, showcasing her comedic personality across three seasons. She later became the creative director of Playboy in 2022, a move that blended her bold style with her business instincts.
Business Ventures and Endorsements
Cardi B has built her wealth not just through music but also through brand partnerships. Her first major endorsement came in 2016 with Romantic Depot, followed by campaigns with MAC Cosmetics, Pepsi, Reebok, and Fashion Nova. Her Fashion Nova clothing line sold out within hours of launch, proving her market influence.
In 2023, Cardi and her then-husband Offset teamed up with McDonald’s to launch the Cardi B & Offset Meal on Valentine’s Day, another example of her strong consumer impact. She has also invested in multiple creative projects that expand her income beyond music.
Personal Life and Family
Cardi B’s personal life has often made headlines. She married rapper Offset secretly in September 2017, a fact that became public later in 2018. The couple shares two children: Kulture Kiari Cephus, born in July 2018, and Wave Set Cephus, born in September 2021. Cardi also became stepmother to Offset’s three older children from previous relationships.
The marriage faced ups and downs with multiple separations, reconciliations, and ultimately, Cardi filed for divorce in August 2024. By September 2025, Cardi made headlines again after revealing she was expecting a baby with NFL star Stefon Diggs.
Real Estate and Lifestyle
In December 2019, Cardi and Offset purchased a 22,000-square-foot mansion in Atlanta for $5.5 million. The luxurious property features five bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and sits on nearly six acres. She has also invested in other real estate, expanding her portfolio as her net worth climbs.
Cardi’s lavish lifestyle includes high-end fashion, custom jewelry, and luxury cars, but she also uses her wealth to give back. In September 2022, she donated $100,000 to her former elementary school in the Bronx, showing her commitment to uplifting her community.
Net Worth Growth Over Time
Cardi B’s financial journey has been rapid and impressive. In 2016, her net worth was just $400,000. By 2017, it jumped to $4 million after her first big hits. By 2019, after earning $28 million in a single year, her fortune climbed to $22 million. At the end of 2021, it doubled again to $40 million. By mid-2024, Cardi’s net worth reached $70 million, and by 2025, it stands strong at $80 million. With her music catalog alone valued at $50 million, her wealth will likely continue to rise as her influence grows.
