Kim Yu-na

Figure skating star Kim Yu-na was ranked as the world's seventh highest-paid female athlete by Forbes on Saturday. According to the U.S. business magazine, Kim earned US$9 million over the past year.

"Kim has maintained her income as the headliner in the All That Skate figure skating show as well as a bevy of endorsement deals in her native Korea. She played a key role in attracting the 2018 Winter Olympics to Pyeongchang," Forbes said.

"Kim won a gold medal in figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She sat out the 2011-12 skate season, but plans to return for the 2012-13 season with the goal of skating in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi."

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova was the world's biggest earner among female athletes with $27.1 million. Chinese tennis player Li Na came second with $18.4 million, followed by tennis ace Serena Williams of the U.S. with $16.3 million.