The Janet Jackson billionaire story is gaining traction and, as unexpected as it might be, apparently it’s true: the 46-year-old Jackson sister has reached her first billion. According to the original story in Variety, it’s all due to Jackson’s work in music and films, as well as some extremely business-savvy decisions.

Janet Jackson, Anfar Gala
Clearly, Janet Jackson has been spending her time wisely.

After some highly successful tours, adding up to $458 million in her bank account, as well as $304 million’s worth of film roles (in The Nutty Professor and For Colored Girls, to name a few) $260 million in album sales, and more than $81 million from tour sponsorships and licensing fees, it all tends to add up. What do you know, while some followed the Beastie Boys’ advice and fought for the right to party, Jackson spent the time working hard and making bank, apparently. So Madonna might not be a billionaire, but Janet Jackson definitely is.

Janet Jackson, True You Release
The release of her self-help book probably helped somewhat, too.

It’s not like she needs the money though – it’s more like a nice bonus, we suppose. Her husband, retail tycoon Wissam Al Mana, whom she married in a private ceremony last year, is a billionaire in his own right. Money goes to money, right? Ms Jackson joins the ranks of billionaires in the entertainment industry, which already include celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, J.K. Rowling and George Lucas.