The Most Successful Reality TV Stars Ever

What's that about reality television being the downfall of society? These celebrities have contributed plenty to our economy.

Bethenny Frankel wins for the Real Housewives: She sold her Skinnygirl drink company for a whopping $100 million.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck parlayed a stint competing on Survivor into ten years on The View, and now a role on Fox & Friends.

Ryan Seacrest basically owns the Kardashians, so there's already that. Add in American Idol, his radio show, and other shows on E! that he executive produces, and he's pulling in around $61 million a year.

Still think Jessica Simpson's some intellectual lightweight? Well, her fashion line makes about $1 billion every year and yours doesn't, so just remember that!

With clothes, perfume, makeup, shoes, jewelry, endorsement deals, and of course their original TV shows and spinoffs, the Kardashians are getting increasingly difficult to keep up with.

Lauren Conrad got her start as a high-school senior on Laguna Beach, and now has a few fashion lines, books, and endorsement deals, adding up to a net worth of $12 million or so.

Remember baby Nicole Richie on The Simple Life? Her fashion line, House of Harlow, pulls in around $3 million a year.

All that partying pays off! Snooki pulled in $150,000 per episode of Jersey Shore, and her appearances and other projects add up to a net worth of $4 million!

Paris Hilton was never really hurting for money, obviously, but since appearing on The Simple Life she's pulled in an additional billion dollars, primarily from her fragrance lines.

By owning a piece of every artist on The X Factor and American Idol, Simon Cowell can boast around $320 million in net worth. Not bad, dog.