In a stunning turn of events, a 21-year-old tennis sensation has dethroned the likes of Venus Williams and Simone Biles to claim the title of the world's highest-paid female athlete in 2025. But here's where it gets even more intriguing: despite a 13% surge in earnings for female athletes, reaching a total of $293 million, the gender pay gap remains a glaring issue, with women earning a staggering eight times less than their male counterparts. According to Forbes' The World’s Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2025 list, the cutoff for the top 20 earners has climbed to $8.1 million, up from $6.3 million in 2024. Yet, this progress pales in comparison to the $2.3 billion collectively earned by the top 20 male athletes. And this is the part most people miss: the gap is widening, with no woman cracking Forbes' general top 50 highest-paid athletes list since 2023. The cutoff for that list? A jaw-dropping $53.6 million—more than double the earnings of the top female athlete.
So, who is this rising star? Meet Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis prodigy who raked in an estimated $33 million in 2025. Her on-court triumphs, including her French Grand Slam singles title in June, contributed around $8 million, but it’s her off-court endeavors that truly set her apart. With endorsements from powerhouse brands like Baker Tilly, Bose, Chase Bank, Mercedes-Benz, Miu Miu, and New Balance, Gauff earned a staggering $25 million off the court. She’s also expanding her empire, venturing into digital content, movies, and TV shows with Religion of Sports studio, and even launching her own management firm, Coco Gauff Enterprises, with support from WME. But here's the controversial part: Gauff’s earnings are a rarity, with only two female athletes—Naomi Osaka ($57.3 million in 2021) and the now-retired Serena Williams ($45.9 million in 2021)—ever surpassing these figures on the Forbes list. Is this a testament to Gauff’s exceptional talent and marketability, or does it highlight the systemic barriers that limit women’s earnings in sports?
Why are Venus Williams and Simone Biles missing from the list? Despite their iconic status, both were excluded due to inactivity during the year. Biles’ last appearance was at the Paris Olympics, with no confirmed return for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, while Williams played a mere three tournaments in 2025, totaling just five since 2023. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Should athletes be penalized for taking time off, especially when mental health and longevity are increasingly prioritized in sports?
The list itself is a testament to diversity, featuring athletes from track and field, rugby, basketball, golf, skiing, and tennis. Yet, the dominance of tennis players—10 out of the top 20—raises another question: Are certain sports more lucrative for women, and if so, why?
Here’s the full list of the highest-paid female athletes in 2025:
- Coco Gauff (Tennis): $33 million
- Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis): $30 million
- Iga Swiatek (Tennis): $25.1 million
- Eileen Gu (Freestyle Skiing): $23.1 million
- Qinwen Zheng (Tennis): $22.6 million
- Madison Keys (Tennis): $13.4 million
- Nelly Korda (Golf): $13 million
- Naomi Osaka (Tennis) and Elena Rybakina (Tennis): $12.5 million each
- Jessica Pegula (Tennis): $12.3 million
- Caitlin Clark (Basketball): $12.1 million
- Amanda Anisimova (Tennis): $11.3 million
- Sabrina Ionescu (Basketball): $10.5 million
- Jeeno Thitikul (Golf): $10.3 million
- Angel Reese (Basketball): $9.4 million
- Paige Bueckers (Basketball): $9.1 million
- Jasmine Paolini (Tennis): $8.3 million
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Track and Field) and Lindsey Vonn (Skiing): $8.2 million each
- Ilona Maher (Rugby): $8.1 million
But here’s the burning question we leave you with: As we celebrate Coco Gauff’s remarkable achievements, what more can be done to close the gender pay gap in sports? Is it up to brands, federations, or society as a whole to ensure women athletes receive equal compensation for their talent and hard work? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could shape the future of women’s sports.
