A rolling bearing includes a rolling element made of a steel containing 0.9 to 1.1 wt. % C, 0.1 to 0.5 wt. % Si, 0.2 to 0.8 wt. % Mn, 1.0 to 1.8 wt. % Cr, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities. In the rolling bearing at least the surface of the rolling element includes carbides having an area fraction of 5% to 15%; of these carbides, carbides having an averaged particle diameter of 0.5 .mu.m or more share 50% or more of the area fraction of all the carbides; and of the carbides, carbides having an averaged particle diameter of 1 .mu.m or more share 2% or less of the area fraction of all the carbides; and wherein the rolling element has at least a Vickers surface hardness HV of 750 to 900.