How Sheila Johnson Became America’s First Black Female Billionaire
Before there were streaming empires, Sheila Johnson was already building a media revolution. As the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), she became the first Black female billionaire in America—but her empire didn’t stop there. From luxury resorts to pro sports ownership, Sheila transformed her early success into a diversified, powerful portfolio.
Sheila Johnson – Quick Bio
-
Age: 75 (born January 25, 1949)
-
Height: Approx. 5'5" (165 cm)
-
Business Interests: Hospitality, sports, film, philanthropy
-
Net Worth: ~$850 million – $1 billion (est. 2025)
-
Spouse: William T. Newman Jr. (divorced BET co-founder Robert L. Johnson in 2002)
How Did Sheila Johnson Become a Billionaire?
Sheila Johnson co-founded BET in 1980 with then-husband Robert L. Johnson. It quickly became the first television network targeting African-American audiences—and a cultural powerhouse. In 2001, BET was sold to Viacom for $3 billion, and Sheila walked away with a fortune as part of the deal. While the network put her on the billionaire radar, she didn’t stop there.
She took her wealth and reinvested it into luxury hospitality, sports, philanthropy, and film production—creating a diversified empire built on vision and independence.
How Much Did Sheila Johnson Sell BET For?
BET was sold to Viacom in 2001 for $3 billion. Although her exact payout hasn’t been publicly disclosed, as a co-founder and stakeholder, Johnson earned a sizable share of the multibillion-dollar deal, propelling her into billionaire status.
Related: Sheila Johnson: The Billionaire Who Broke Barriers in Sports Ownership
What Resorts Does Sheila Johnson Own?
Sheila is the founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hospitality brand that includes:
-
Salamander Middleburg Resort & Spa (Virginia)
-
Half Moon (Jamaica)
-
Innisbrook Resort (Florida)
-
Reunion Resort (Orlando)
-
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club (Anguilla)
Her properties are known for their understated elegance, sustainability, and wellness focus, drawing elite travelers and celebrities alike. Through Salamander, Johnson has become a pioneering Black woman in luxury hospitality—a space rarely touched by women of color at this level.
Related: Alice Walton: The Billionaire Heiress Who Traded Retail for Rembrandts and Built a Museum Empire
Related: Inside the World of Danielle Frankel: Bridal's Coolest Designer
Sheila Johnson & Sports Ownership
Johnson also made waves in the sports world. She is the first African-American woman to own stakes in three professional sports franchises:
-
Washington Wizards (NBA)
-
Washington Capitals (NHL)
-
Washington Mystics (WNBA)
She’s particularly involved in the Mystics, promoting women’s sports and advocating for equity and visibility in athletics.
How Much Is Sheila Johnson Worth?
As of 2025, Sheila Johnson’s net worth is estimated at $850 million to $1 billion, depending on valuations of her resorts and investments. She continues to expand her influence in hospitality, film, and philanthropy, proving her business acumen goes far beyond the BET days.
Related: Money After Time: How Cyndi Lauper Lost and Rebuilt Her Fortune
Related: Whitney Wolfe Herd: From Tinder Co-Founder to Bumble CEO
Sheila Johnson's Must-Read Memoir
In her powerful memoir, “Walk Through Fire”, Sheila Johnson shares the raw, inspiring journey behind her rise from modest beginnings to becoming America’s first Black female billionaire. With unflinching honesty, she opens up about the challenges of building BET, her personal reinvention after divorce, and the bold moves that led her to success in hospitality and sports.
Sheila Johnson in Film & Philanthropy
An active film producer, Sheila has backed award-winning films that tackle race, identity, and social issues. She's also deeply involved in education and healthcare initiatives, donating millions through the Sheila C. Johnson Foundation.
Through her foundation, Sheila Johnson is deeply committed to empowering disadvantaged children—both in the U.S. and around the world. Her philanthropic focus centers on expanding access to the arts, especially music, design, and visual arts, as a core part of education. She also champions the protection and freedom of missing and exploited children, supporting programs that combat child trafficking and exploitation. Her giving is purpose-driven, aiming to break cycles of poverty and violence through creativity, education, and advocacy. Sheila tackles some of the most important issues for disadvantaged children, using her wealth for a positive cause, a billionaire who hasn't forgotten the rest of the world could use her help.
Conclusion
Sheila Johnson’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. From co-founding a cultural giant like BET to building a luxury resort empire, she’s shattered ceilings and defied expectations at every turn. Becoming America’s first Black female billionaire isn’t just a financial milestone it’s a powerful symbol of what’s possible. Sheila’s legacy proves that success isn’t just about wealth it’s about using that success to uplift others, break barriers, and own your space in every room you enter.
