Scarlett Johansson becomes world's highest paid female actress

Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson has been named the world’s highest-paid female actress by Forbes, after earning an estimated $40.5 million in pre-tax income over the 12-month period ending June 1, 2018.

According to Forbes figures cited by The Guardian, Johansson’s earnings were nearly four times what she made the previous year, reflecting the growing commercial success of her role as Natasha Romanoff, popularly known as Black Widow, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Johansson topped a list of Hollywood’s highest-earning actresses, with Angelina Jolie ranking second at $28 million and Jennifer Aniston third with $19.5 million.

Despite Johansson’s impressive earnings, her total remained significantly below the highest-paid male actor of the same period. Mark Wahlberg had earned $68 million in the corresponding 2017 rankings, highlighting the continuing gender pay gap in Hollywood.

A major contributor to Johansson’s rising earnings was her appearance as Black Widow in Marvel Studios’ blockbuster “Avengers: Infinity War”. Her growing importance to the franchise also boosted her position as one of the most commercially successful female stars in the industry.

Johansson was subsequently set to reprise the role in the next instalment of the Marvel franchise, further strengthening her status as one of Hollywood’s most prominent and bankable actresses.