Pamela Anderson holds the record for the highest-paid contestant in Bigg Boss history, earning a staggering ₹2.5 crore for her brief, three-day appearance on Bigg Boss 4. This figure remains unmatched across all seasons of the show.

Anderson's participation in Bigg Boss 4 generated significant buzz and high Television Rating Points (TRPs) for the Colors TV reality show. Her entry also added an international appeal to the show, coinciding with Salman Khan's debut as the host. While other contestants like Sidharth Shukla and Hina Khan stayed in the house longer, their earnings were significantly less than Anderson's.

Bigg Boss has a history of attracting big names from the entertainment industry, with many contestants receiving hefty paychecks for their participation. Some of the other highly-paid contestants include:

• The Great Khali: The WWE wrestler reportedly earned ₹50 lakh per week during his time on Bigg Boss 4.
• Rimi Sen: The "Dhoom" actress was reportedly paid ₹2 crore just to participate in Bigg Boss 9.
• Sreesanth: The former Indian cricketer also earned ₹50 lakh per week in Bigg Boss 12.
• Dipika Kakar: The Bigg Boss 12 winner was reportedly paid ₹15 lakh per week.
• Karanvir Bohra: The television actor was paid ₹20 lakh per week for Bigg Boss 12.

These substantial payments highlight the show's ability to draw in viewers by bringing in known personalities. The prize money for winning Bigg Boss has varied over the seasons. Initially, the winner received ₹1 crore, but this was later reduced to ₹50 lakh from season 6 onwards.

As Bigg Boss continues to evolve, it remains a popular reality show in India, attracting both viewers and celebrities. With Bigg Boss 19 set to premiere on August 24, 2025, it will be interesting to see who the highest-paid contestants are this season. Gaurav Khanna is reportedly the highest-paid contestant in the upcoming Bigg Boss 19. The show will first stream on JioHotstar before airing on Colors TV.