American film director Steven Spielberg has topped the list of the world’s richest billionaire celebrities according to Forbes magazine. His net worth is currently estimated at a record $7.1 billion. Over the past year, the 79-year-old master of the film industry managed to increase his fortune by $1.8 billion.

Spielberg’s success is based not only on the box-office earnings of his films, which have grossed more than $10 billion worldwide. An important source of his passive income comes from unique contracts: the director receives a percentage from every ticket sold in the Universal Studios theme parks. This ensures steady growth of his wealth regardless of whether new projects are released.

Spielberg’s creative career has given world cinema many masterpieces, including Jaws, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, and the iconic Indiana Jones series. Even in recent years, the director has remained highly active. His recent works, West Side Story and the autobiographical drama The Fabelmans, received high praise from critics and confirmed his status as one of the leading filmmakers of modern cinema.

ORIENT