Magic Johnson dominated the NBA, but did he stop winning after basketball? Not even close. In 1991, he retired with a $40 million net worth. Today, his net worth is in the billions. So, how did he pull it off? When he stepped away from the game for good in 1996, Johnson wasn’t just thinking about money, he wanted to build something bigger. He immersed himself in the world of business, learning from mentors like Michael Ovitz and identifying an untapped market. Johnson realized that Black and Latin-American communities wielded over a trillion dollars in spending power, yet big companies were overlooking them. That was the breakthrough he needed. But that’s not all.

Last year, Johnson shared a powerful moment on Instagram alongside Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. This meeting took place at the prestigious Sportico Summit in Doha, where business and sports icons gathered to discuss the future. In his Instagram post at the time, Johnson hinted at big plans for the future and how he was going to use the meeting to further his wisdom. In the caption, Magic expressed, “Now that I’m back, I’m still processing all the gems and wisdom I gained throughout the last couple of days so I can apply them in my current and future business ventures!” His words indicate an unwavering commitment to growth, always looking to enhance his empire with fresh knowledge. And it seems his hard work has paid off!

Just recently, Forbes’ 2025 World’s Billionaires list of celebrities came out, and it seems that Johnson has managed to fulfill his promise. Magic Johnson’s net worth was reported at $1.5 billion, surpassing LeBron James at $1.3 billion and Tiger Woods at $1.4 billion, according to Forbes’ 2025 World’s Billionaires list. While these two athletes have accumulated vast wealth through sports and endorsements, Johnson’s smart business moves have propelled him beyond them. It’s not just about playing the game anymore; it’s about mastering the game of business, and Magic has certainly done that.

Among the other celebrities making waves on the list are Jerry Seinfeld and Arnold Schwarzenegger, each boasting a net worth of $1.1 billion. Dick Wolf and Tyler Perry follow close behind at $1.2 billion, while Rihanna and Tiger Woods share a $1.4 billion fortune. The caption of the post shared that Steven Spielberg is leading the list of these celebrities, with a whopping net worth of $5.3 billion!

Interestingly, while Johnson has surpassed LeBron and Woods, he is still far away from even touching the NBA legend Michael Jordan, who is sitting comfortably at 3rd position right below George Lucas with a net worth of $3.5 billion! Well, that might be a tall task for anyone, considering the business choices that have led Jordan to such wealth.

Magic Johnson still feels grateful for what Micky Arison did during the ’92 Olympics

When the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, one name stood out for Magic Johnson: Micky Arison. The Miami Heat owner, who played a pivotal role in turning the franchise into a championship powerhouse, will now join the ranks of basketball’s greatest legends. He’ll be honored alongside basketball greats like Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and Sue Bird.

In the wake of the announcement, Arison shared a heartfelt message as he wrote, “When my father Ted Arison brought the Heat to Miami… he did it because he thought it was best for Miami,” at the time.  Amid the celebrations, Magic Johnson took a moment to reflect on his own connection with Arison.

Recalling a memorable trip on Arison’s yacht during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Magic confessed feeling “indebted to him.” What happened there changed the way Magic saw the world. When the yacht’s air conditioning broke, Arison casually solved the problem by bringing in a second yacht. Magic joked about it, but the moment stuck with him.

In his words, “The air conditioning went out while we were out there and Micky just brought in his second yacht. That moment was life-changing for me because it helped me to think and dream bigger.” That trip, Magic said, was life-changing. It was a pivotal moment that helped him dream bigger, and Johnson hasn’t forgotten the profound impact it had on his own success.

In his post, Johnson didn’t shy away from giving credit to his friend and role model who, in one way or another, helped him reach the heights he has reached today! After all, it takes more than just hard work and perseverance to turn $40 million into $1.5 billion! And sometimes, motivation just hits you in the places you didn’t expect it from.