It’s official, Robyn Rihanna Fenty is the world’s wealthiest female musician. Let’s let that sink in.
The 31-year-old singer, actress, entrepreneur, beauty and fashion powerhouse just became the world’s highest female earner in music, according to Forbes. Meaning she’s out-earned Madonna ($570 million), Céline Dion ($450 million) and, Beyoncé ($400 million), three of the most wealthy women musicians alive today.
The financial glow up is real: In 2018 Rihanna ranked number 7 on Forbes list with an estimated $37.5 million. As Forbes notes, she’s now worth an estimated $600 million.
As for the tipping point? In May, Rihanna officially launched her luxury fashion label in partnership with the French luxury goods conglomerate, LVMH. The partnership was historical, she became the first woman of color to lead an LVMH business and Fenty Maison is the first fashion company that LVMH has launched from scratch.
While news of Rihanna’s ascent into the highest tax bracket in her respective field is a major accomplishment, it comes as no surprise. Launched in 2017, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty generated $570 million in revenue during its first 15 months.
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Then in May 2018, Rihanna launched Savage X, an online-based lingerie company. During the first 40 days on the market, the company made $100 million in sales. It’s now available in 40 markets. Sheesh.
If there’s one thing about me, all of my paid time off will be used and accounted for each year. Why? Because I’ve learned the hard way what the physical, mental and emotional toll that “being committed to the grind” can have on me. And let’s say, those years I did without it did me — and those around me — no good.
So since that, I’ve been a PTO warrior. Using my days off for whatever it is I choose: vacation, a mental health day, medical appointments, in bed, you name it.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as fortunate. In fact, according to a survey from Expedia, more than half of Americans don’t use up all of their allotted vacation days. Not only is it time, but money, that people are leaving on the table. Particularly if you work for a company where your days don’t roll over year after year.
Listen, I get it. The pressure to always be “on” is real, especially for Black women who often feel we have to work twice as hard to get half as far. But here’s the truth: taking your time off isn’t just a luxury – it’s a necessity and, honestly, a form of resistance against a system that doesn’t always prioritize our wellbeing.
So, let’s make 2025 the year we reclaim our time (literally). I’m about to put you on game with some strategic ways to maximize those precious PTO days, because this year, we’re not leaving a single day on the table.
Let’s start with your first power move of the year. Even though Martin Luther King Jr. Day has passed, the next federal holiday — Presidents’ Day — falls on Monday, February 17, 2025. Take the rest of that week off (February 18-21) and you’ve turned a regular three-day weekend into a nine-day break using only four PTO days. That’s what I call smart girl math.
Looking ahead to spring, Easter weekend gives us another golden opportunity. With Good Friday on April 18, taking the following week off (April 21-25) turns into a luxurious 10-day respite. Imagine spending those days reconnecting with family, taking that solo trip you’ve been dreaming about, or simply catching up on all those books on your nightstand.
Summer strategy? Let’s talk about it. July 4th lands on a Friday in 2025, making it perfect for a proper summer escape. Take July 7-11 off, and you’ve engineered yourself a 10-day vacation with just five PTO days. That’s enough time to actually unwind on that beach trip instead of rushing through it.
Now, for my favorite part – the holiday season. Christmas falls on a Thursday in 2025, which means with some clever planning, you can create an extended break that feels like a proper sabbatical. Take December 26 and December 29-31 off, and you’re looking at an 11-day break while only using four PTO days. Talk about ending the year strong!
But here’s the real tea – it’s not just about when you take the time off, it’s about how you use it. Stop feeling guilty about taking mental health days. Stop checking your work email on vacation. Stop thinking you need a “good reason” to use your PTO. Having a day to just exist, to breathe, to do absolutely nothing? That’s reason enough.
Pro tip: Book these dates early. Like, now early. The secret to getting your PTO approved is being the first one to ask for it. Create calendar reminders for yourself to submit these requests, especially for those prime holiday periods when everyone’s trying to get the same days off.
And please, let’s normalize taking our time off without apology. No more “I’m sorry to be away” email signatures. No more feeling bad about leaving tasks for a few days. The work will be there when you get back, but these moments of rest and joy? They’re irreplaceable.
2025 is our year to prioritize ourselves, and that includes using every single PTO day we’ve earned. Because at the end of the day, no one ever looked back on their life and wished they’d spent more time at work.