1. Simon Cowell – $95 million salary
By far number one on the richest reality TV stars list, is music mogul Simon Cowell. After managing multiple acts, and bringing the TV talent show format to the UK, Cowell spread it to America and made a massive impression.
Cowell’s production company, Syco TV, produces The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent in the UK and the USA and American Idol. Both franchises have spread throughout the world, earning Cowell a lot of money in the process. He continues to produce many shows in the UK and across the pond.
His reputation as a TV talent judge has given him the nickname ‘Mr Nasty’, famed for his brutal honesty and dry delivery.