Billie Eilish asks, ‘If you’re a billionaire, why are you?’
The 23-year-old singer used her speech at the WSJ Magazine awards to criticize billionaires. How much money does Eilish have?
Billie Eilish stole the spotlight at the Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator Awards, where she was honored for her groundbreaking influence on the music industry.
The 23-year-old pop icon announced she’ll be donating $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour to The Changemaker Program, a project focused on tackling climate change and food insecurity.
“I would say, if you have money, it would be great to use it for good causes—maybe give it to some people who need it,” Eilish said during her acceptance speech. “I love you all, but there are some people here who have way more money than I do. If you’re a billionaire, why are you? No offense, but please give your money away.”
Her comments drew applause from much of the audience—though not from everyone.
Billie Eilish had a message for billionaires at the WSJ Innovator Awards: “Give your money away, shorties."
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 30, 2025
Eilish was one of eight who was honored for her work. At the event, Stephen Colbert announced Eilish is donating $11.5 million of the proceeds from her most recent tour to… pic.twitter.com/K555kWDTZj
Billionaires silent after Eilish comments
Among the night’s attendees was Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the world’s third-richest person. The Facebook founder was there to support his wife, Priscilla Chan, also honored for her philanthropic work. According to PEOPLE, an eyewitness said Zuckerberg did not applaud after Eilish’s pointed remarks about billionaires and wealth inequality.
After the event, fans and critics alike took to social media to ask: How much money does Billie Eilish have?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Eilish’s fortune is estimated at $50 million, making her one of today’s highest-earning artists.
Eilish’s journey to fame started humbly. She and her brother Finneas began uploading songs to SoundCloud. He track Ocean Eyes quickly racked up hundreds of thousands of streams, earning her a deal with Apple Music in 2016. She was just 15 years old.
Soon after, she signed with Interscope Records and released her debut EP, Don’t Smile at Me (2017), followed by her first full-length album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? in 2019, which shot her to global superstardom. Her sophomore project, Happier Than Ever (2021), earned critical acclaim and multiple Grammy nominations. In 2024, she returned with Hit Me Hard and Soft.
With her latest donation, Eilish continues to use her platform to advocate for climate action and social impact, solidifying her reputation as an artist who not only shapes pop culture but also pushes for real-world change. As Eilish told the crowd, “If you’ve got money, make it matter.”
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