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List of music artists by net worth

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American rapper Jay-Z is the wealthiest music artist in the world, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $2.5 billion in 2024.

The following is a list of music artists with the highest recorded net worth (also know as wealthiest musicians or richest musicians), based on calculations by reputable publications such as Forbes and The Sunday Times Rich List. As of 2024, six music artists have reached the billionaire status on Forbes reports: Jay-Z leading the list with US$2.5 billion, and becoming the first billionaire music artist, followed by Rihanna (the first billionaire female artist), Taylor Swift—the first primarily billionaire artist on the basis of her music and performances, and Jimmy Buffett. Sean "Diddy" Combs and Kanye West also reached the status before being dropped off.

When Forbes 400 Richest Americans debuted in 1982, Yoko Ono was the only musician listed, with a net worth of $150 million (equivalent to $474 million in 2023), largely due to the music royalties of her late husband's band the Beatles.[1] In 1991, Forbes estimated Michael Jackson's net worth at $230 million (equivalent to $515 million in 2023), making him the wealthiest musician and the second wealthiest entertainer, behind comedian Bill Cosby.[2] After his death, it is estimated that Jackson's estate is worth over $2 billion as of 2024.[3][4]

Forbes lists are dominated by American artists, while musicians of other nationalities have built their wealth predominantly in the U.S., such as Celine Dion. Reports from others business-related publications such as Bloomberg L.P. could differ; for instance, they valued Kanye West at US$6.6 billion in 2021, while West himself measured at least US$3.3 billion in 2020.[5][6] Outside of Forbes, net worth estimations could vastly vary amid same artists and different sources, as some media outlets have published estimations from various websites and lists such as CelebrityNetWorth, Bankrate and Sunday Times Rich List. Artists such as Bono and Paul McCartney have been claimed to achieve billionaire status, albeit denied by Forbes.[7][8]

Forbes[edit]

The following are music artists with a net worth of over $300 million (adjusted for inflation) according to Forbes. The artists are listed based on the nominal figure on their most recently available estimation.

Music artists with the highest net worth reported by Forbes
Artists Nationality Lifetime Net worth Report year Ref.
Latest
estimation 		Peak
estimation 		Peak estimation
adjusted in 2023 $ 		Latest Peak
Jay-Z United States 1969–present $2.5 billion $2.5 billion 2024 [9]
Rihanna Barbados 1988–present $1.4 billion $1.7 billion $1.77 billion 2024 2022 [10][11]
Taylor Swift United States 1989–present $1.3 billion $1.3 billion 2024 [12]
Jimmy Buffett United States 1946–2023 $1 billion $1 billion 2023 [13]
Madonna United States 1958–present $850 million $850 million 2024 [14]
Dr. Dre United States 1965–present $800 million $953 million 2019 [15]
Beyoncé United States 1981–present $760 million $800 million $800 million 2024 2023 [16][17]
Sean "Diddy" Combs United States 1969–present $740 million[a] $820 million $1.02 billion 2019 2017 [19][20]
Julio Iglesias Spain 1943–present $600 million[b] $600 million 2023 [21]
Celine Dion Canada 1968–present $550 million $550 million 2024 [22]
Bruce Springsteen United States 1949–present $460 million $584 million 2016 [23]
Barbra Streisand United States 1942–present $460 million $460 million 2024 [24]
Dolly Parton United States 1946–present $450 million $450 million 2024 [25]
Jon Bon Jovi United States 1946–present $410 million $521 million 2016 [26]
Kanye West United States 1977–present $400 million $2 billion $2.08 billion 2024 2022 [27][6]
Michael Jackson United States 1958–2009 $350 million $580 million 2003 [2]
Katy Perry United States 1984–present $350 million $350 million 2024 [28]
Mariah Carey United States 1969–present $225 million[c] $331 million 2007 [29]
Yoko Ono Japan 1933–present $150 million $474 million 1982 [1]

Sunday Times Rich List[edit]

The following are music artists with a net worth of over £300 million according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

Music artists with the highest net worth reported on the Sunday Times Rich List
Artists Nationality Lifetime Net worth Report year Ref.
Latest
estimation 		Peak
estimation 		Peak estimation
adjusted in 2023 £ 		Latest Peak
Paul McCartney[d] United Kingdom 1942–present £1 billion £1 billion 2024 [32]
U2 Ireland 1976–present £625 million £665 million 2022 [33]
Andrew Lloyd Webber United Kingdom 1948–present £504 million £820 million £1.03 billion 2023 2019 [34][35]
Elton John United Kingdom 1947–present £470 million £470 million 2024 [36]
Sting United Kingdom 1951–present £320 million £341 million 2022 [37]
Mick Jagger United Kingdom 1943–present £318 million £338 million 2022 [38]
Keith Richards United Kingdom 1976–present £303 million £322 million 2022 [33]
Ed Sheeran United Kingdom 1991–present £300 million £300 million 2023 [39]

Artist's estates[edit]

In 2020, one Elvis Presley's state executive told Rolling Stone magazine that artist's estate was worth between US$400-500 million.[40] As of 2024, the Estate of Michael Jackson has been valued over US$2 billion.[3][4]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Forbes has not updated the net worth of Sean "Diddy" Combs since 2019. However, former Forbes editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg estimated Combs' net worth at $1 billion on a Substack report in 2022.[18]
  2. ^ Julio Iglesias' net worth according to Forbes Spain.
  3. ^ Forbes has not reported an updated estimation of Mariah Carey's net worth since 2007.
  4. ^ Paul McCartney's estimation includes his wife Nancy Shevell's wealth, hence Forbes disputed McCartney's status as a billionaire. Shevell's family owns a trucking company which generates over $300 million per year in revenue. In 2008, McCartney disclosed personal net assets of £387,012,000 (about $600 million) as part of divorce proceedings with ex-wife Heather Mills. In 2013, Forbes estimates his net worth roughly at $650 million.[30] As of 2024, McCartney has yet to appear on Forbes's world's billionaires list.[31]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Dellatto, Marisa. "Forbes' Hollywood Walk Of Fame: The Richest Celebrities Of All Time". Forbes.
  2. ^ a b "In Pictures: A Forbes History Of Michael Jackson's Earnings". Forbes. October 27, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Bacher, Danielle (March 25, 2024). "Inside the Fight over Michael Jackson's $2 Billion Estate — and His Mom's Battle with Her Grandson Bigi". People. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Dillon, Nancy (March 9, 2024). "Michael Jackson Estate, Katherine Jackson Clash in Court Over $600 Million Catalog Deal".
  5. ^ Goldman, Lea (September 18, 2007). "Forbes And 50 Cent 'Get Money'". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 5, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Voytko, Lisette (April 5, 2023). "Here's Why Kanye West Dropped Off The Forbes Billionaires List". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  7. ^ Robehmed, Natalie (September 1, 2015). "Why U2's Bono Isn't A Billionaire". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  8. ^ Olson, Parmy (September 1, 2015). "Sorry, Heather. Paul Ain't No Billionaire". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Martin, Devin Sean (April 2, 2024). "The World's Celebrity Billionaires 2024". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  10. ^ "Profile: Rihanna". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Dellatto, Marisa (April 7, 2023). "Forbes' Hollywood Walk Of Fame: The Richest Celebrities Of All Time". Forbes. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "Profile: Taylor Swift". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  13. ^ "Forbes Profile: Jimmy Buffett". Forbes. April 4, 2023. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023.
  14. ^ "Profile: Madonna". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  15. ^ Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Dr. Dre's Net Worth: $800 Million In 2019". Forbes.
  16. ^ "Profile: Beyoncé". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  17. ^ McGrath, Maggie (December 14, 2024). "Beyoncé Is Now Worth $800 Million. Plus: The Worst Days For Holiday Travel". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  18. ^ Paul, Larisha (October 28, 2022). "Diddy Replaces Ye, Joins Jay-Z in Billionaires Club on 2022 List of Wealthiest Hip-Hop Artists". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  19. ^ Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Diddy's Net Worth: $740 Million In 2019". Forbes.
  20. ^ Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Diddy's Net Worth: $820 Million In 2017". Forbes.
  21. ^ "¿De cuánto es el patrimonio de Julio Iglesias? Este es el puesto que ocupa en el top 10 de los artistas más ricos del mundo el cantante que cumplirá 80 años". El Universo (in Spanish). September 15, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  22. ^ "Profile: Celine Dion". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  23. ^ Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Bruce Springsteen's Net Worth: $460 Million In 2016". Forbes.
  24. ^ "Barbra Streisand". Forbes.
  25. ^ "Profile: Dolly Parton". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  26. ^ https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2016/12/16/jon-bon-jovis-net-worth-410-million-in-2016/
  27. ^ "Profile: Kanye West". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  28. ^ Dolan, Kerry A.; Murphy, Andrea (May 28, 2024). "A Record Year For America's Richest Self-Made Women 2024". Forbes. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  29. ^ "In Pictures: The Richest 20 Women In Entertainment". Forbes.
  30. ^ https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/04/12/why-paul-mccartney-isnt-on-the-forbes-billionaires-list/
  31. ^ https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/
  32. ^ "Sir Paul McCartney first UK billionaire musician". www.bbc.com.
  33. ^ a b Dean, Jonathan (June 9, 2024). "The 40 richest musicians in the UK and Ireland". www.thetimes.com.
  34. ^ Times, The Sunday (June 4, 2024). "Andrew Lloyd Webber net worth — Sunday Times Rich List 2023". www.thetimes.com.
  35. ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48204955
  36. ^ Times, The Sunday (June 9, 2024). "Sir Elton John net worth — Sunday Times Rich List 2024". www.thetimes.com.
  37. ^ Times, The Sunday (June 9, 2024). "Sting net worth — Sunday Times Rich List 2022". www.thetimes.com.
  38. ^ Times, The Sunday (June 8, 2024). "Sir Mick Jagger net worth — Sunday Times Rich List 2021". www.thetimes.com.
  39. ^ Times, The Sunday (June 9, 2024). "Ed Sheeran net worth — Sunday Times Rich List 2023". www.thetimes.com.
  40. ^ Contreras, Brian; Sakoui, Anousha (January 14, 2023). "Lisa Marie Presley leaves behind a lucrative Graceland — and a complicated financial legacy". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
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