Abisola SalahuThe richest musicians in the world have attained fame on a scale that few people in this world have ever seen. They have sold hundreds of millions of records, and grossed billions of dollars in ticket sales as they have taken their music to live audiences around the world.
Net-worth figures are public estimates that shift with markets, tours, catalog sales and business deals. Here, we cite the most credible, recent sources available; exact rankings inevitably vary—but this provides a solid, up-to-date snapshot.
Top 50 Richest Musicians in the World (2025)
1. Jay-Z — est. $2.5B
Hip-hop’s first centibillionaire built a fortune on music, Armand de Brignac and D’USSÉ, Roc Nation, Tidal’s exit, and savvy stakes in tech and sports. Still touring selectively, investing constantly, and compounding brand equity across culture. Widely reported at about $2.5 billion.
2. Taylor Swift — est. ~$1.6B
Songwriting control, record-shattering Eras Tour grosses, and the re-recordings created a cash-gushing flywheel. Add film, publishing and merch to an unusually clean ownership profile. Forbes listed her at ~$1.6 billion in 2025 after a late-2023/2024 billionaire break-through.
3. Rihanna — est. ~$1.0B
Music launched her; Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty made her a mogul. Portfolio swings with beauty valuations, but she remains a billionaire celebrity whose core wealth sits outside touring. Forbes’ 2025 list pegged her around $1.0 billion.
4. Paul McCartney — est. ~$1.25B
Beatles/solo publishing, touring, and decades of compounding made Macca Britain’s first musician-billionaire, per the Sunday Times list reporting he passed £1 billion in 2024. Still an active live draw with a deep IP moat.
5. Madonna — est. ~$850M
Catalog, touring power, Maverick deals, and relentless brand leverage keep the Queen of Pop in the ultra-high tier. Forbes’ 2025 “Richest Self-Made Women” places her around $850 million.
6. Dr. Dre — est. ~$850M
After Beats’ sale to Apple, Dre’s fortune settled in the high nine figures, plus catalog, production, and real estate. He remains one of music’s wealthiest producers/entrepreneurs. Forbes puts him near ~$850 million.
7. Beyoncé — est. ~$780M
A once-in-a-generation touring engine, shrewd equity deals (Ivy Park, film/TV), and substantial publishing/copyright stakes drive her wealth. Renaissance and Cowboy Carter eras extended dominance. Forbes listed her around $780 million in 2025.
8. Céline Dion — est. ~$570M
Blockbuster residencies (Las Vegas), enduring catalog sales/streams, and a global brand sustain a very large fortune despite recent health setbacks. 2025 reporting often places her near the mid-nine figures.
9. Bono — est. ~$700M
U2’s decades of touring leverage, publishing, and long-held investments (including tech) underpin Bono’s wealth. Sphere residency renewed U2’s live premium. Credible 2024–2025 estimates cluster around the high-nine figures.
10. Elton John — est. ~$630M
A farewell tour that wasn’t frugal, evergreen publishing, and film/TV projects keep Elton in the top cohort. Sunday Times–based roundups put him about $630 million in 2024/2025.
11. Andrew Lloyd Webber — est. £513M ($650M)
Musical theatre’s most bankable composer owns a crown-jewel catalog (Cats, Phantom), theatres, and long-running royalties. The Sunday Times Rich List 2024 valued him at ~£513m.
12. Mick Jagger — est. ~$550M
The Stones’ touring model is a business case study. Add publishing, film/TV syncs, and brand equity built over six decades. UK press typically pegs him in the mid-nine figures.
13. Keith Richards — est. ~$540M
Songwriting royalties with Jagger, touring hauls, and smart wealth preservation put Keef alongside Mick in valuations around the mid-nine figures.
14. Bruce Springsteen — est. ~$800M–$1.1B (disputed)
Massive touring, evergreen catalog and a widely reported $500M+ catalog sale sent estimates soaring; some outlets labeled him a billionaire, while others reported he refuted that label. Either way, he’s near the apex.
15. Sting — est. ~£320M–$500M+
An all-time sync magnet (“Every Breath You Take”) with a 2022 catalog sale reportedly around $300M, plus solo/Police royalties and touring. UK valuations place him in the several-hundred-million band.
16. Garth Brooks — est. ~$430M–$450M
America’s country touring titan sells stadiums like few others, with deep catalog value and merchandising muscle keeping his fortune in the high-nine figures. (Estimates vary between credible outlets; ranges reflect that variability.)
17. Dolly Parton — est. ~$440M
Catalog/IP control, Dollywood, publishing, film/TV, and philanthropy all orbit a beloved, enduring brand. Reputable roundups and financial press generally place her around the mid-nine figures.
18. Ringo Starr — est. ~$400M–$450M
Beatles royalties, solo work, touring with All-Starr Bands, and valuable memorabilia keep Ringo in elite territory, often cited around the low-to-mid nine figures in UK/US lists.
19. Phil Collins — est. ~$350M–$400M
Genesis + solo catalog value (amid big-ticket rights deals), touring and publishing sustain Collins’ wealth in the upper nine figures despite reduced performing.
20. Billy Joel — est. ~$400M
A perennial stadium/piano man with one of live music’s most reliable residencies (MSG), a thick catalog, and strong publishing. Estimates frequently place him around the ~$400M mark.
21. Lars Ulrich (Metallica) — est. ~$350M
Metallica’s direct-to-fan empire, touring scale, merchandising, and valuable masters/publishing keep Ulrich (and bandmate Hetfield) among the richest rock musicians.
22. James Hetfield (Metallica) — est. ~$350M
The frontman shares Metallica’s touring and IP powerhouse economics, with wealth estimates clustering around the mid-nine figures thanks to decades of stadium demand.
23. Ed Sheeran — est. £370M ($470M)
A generational touring juggernaut (+-=÷× tour), songwriter and label owner who keeps costs lean and tickets moving. Sunday Times reporting in 2025 placed him around £370m.
24. Carter Burrell… (Chris Martin/Coldplay) — est. ~$300M–$350M
Coldplay’s sustainability-minded megatours still gross at elite levels; Martin’s songwriting ownership and diverse ventures put him comfortably in nine-figure territory.
25. Adele — est. ~£170M–$220M
Sparse releases, maximal impact: Las Vegas residency and enormous global catalog keep cash flows strong. The Sunday Times Rich List 2024 placed her around £170m (~$215m).
26. Bono’s bandmates (The Edge) — est. ~$300M–$400M
The Edge’s co-writing, U2’s touring premiums (including the Sphere shows) and investments typically place him in the low-to-mid nine figures among credible UK/US lists.
27. Adam Clayton (U2) — est. ~$300M
Long-tenured U2 bassist with decades of touring and publishing participation; often estimated around the ~$300M mark in UK lists.
28. Larry Mullen Jr. (U2) — est. ~$300M
U2’s drummer shares the band’s durable touring/publishing economics, keeping his estimated wealth near the ~$300M band.
29. Katy Perry — est. ~$300M+
Blockbuster residencies, TV (Idol), endorsements, and a 2023 catalog sale (~$225M reported) boosted Perry into the higher nine-figure tier.
30. Justin Bieber — est. ~$200M+
Despite a pause in touring, a ~$200M catalog sale (2023) and brand deals underpin a large fortune for his age; reputable coverage places him in the low-to-mid nine figures in 2025.
31. Drake — est. ~$250M–$300M
Touring scale, OVO businesses, monster streaming, and residency/arena economics keep Drake in the high nine figures, with estimates commonly around a quarter-billion (and rising with new deals).
32. Calvin Harris — est. ~$300M
The highest-grossing DJ of the 2010s parlayed residencies, festivals, production, and songwriting into one of dance music’s largest fortunes.
33. Shakira — est. ~$300M
Decades of global hits, touring, and brand partnerships—plus savvy catalog and rights management—place Shakira firmly in the nine-figure club.
34. Lady Gaga — est. ~$300M
Touring, Vegas residencies, Haus Labs, film/TV roles, and songwriting equity keep Gaga’s valuation substantial and diversified.
35. Lionel Richie — est. ~$300M
Songwriting/publishing longevity from the Commodores through solo classics, plus TV and touring, keep Richie’s wealth comfortably in the nine figures.
36. Eric Clapton — est. ~$300M
A deep catalog, touring, and valuable instruments/art assets underpin Clapton’s long-standing upper-tier wealth.
37. Roger Waters — est. ~$300M
Pink Floyd’s IP value and solo touring scale keep Waters among the wealthiest classic-rock figures.
38. David Gilmour — est. ~$200M+
Pink Floyd co-leader with valuable catalog/royalty flows and touring history; estimates generally place him in the low-to-mid nine figures.
39. Jon Bon Jovi — est. ~$400M
Bon Jovi’s global touring years, publishing, and business ventures (including philanthropy-linked enterprises) maintain a high nine-figure fortune.
40. Ozzy Osbourne — est. ~$200M+
Black Sabbath royalties, solo catalog, reality TV and licensing keep Ozzy’s net worth in the nine figures despite health-limited touring.
41. Snoop Dogg — est. ~$160M–$200M
A branding machine—entertainment, cannabis, tech, sports sponsorships—and new ownership of Death Row IP create wide, diversified income streams.
42. Akon — est. ~$150M–$200M
Songwriting/production royalties, international touring, and venture deals (including energy/tech initiatives) fuel substantial wealth beyond music.
43. Nicki Minaj — est. ~$150M–$200M
Tours, blockbuster singles, equity/endorsement deals, and a durable brand push Nicki into upper nine figures as one of rap’s most successful women.
44. Travis Scott — est. ~$150M–$200M
Arena-level touring, Cactus Jack brand/label, sneaker and beverage deals deliver a diversified income stack despite controversy cycles.
45. Bad Bunny — est. ~$150M–$200M
The biggest Latin touring act of his era turned stadiums, streaming dominance, and sponsorships into enormous earnings and fast-rising net worth.
46. Andrea Bocelli — est. ~$100M–$200M
Global classical-crossover demand, consistent touring, and premium recordings keep Bocelli’s wealth sizable and steady across decades.
47. Bruno Mars — est. ~$175M–$200M
Las Vegas residencies, touring, Silk Sonic, and A-list sponsorships place him comfortably in nine figures with ample runway for growth.
48. Eminem — est. ~$250M
One of hip-hop’s best-selling artists, with deep catalog royalties, film/TV syncs, and merchandise powering a durable high-nine-figure valuation.
49. Harry Styles — est. ~£150M–£180M
Solo arena tours, film roles, beauty/fashion ventures, and rights income moved Styles into the Sunday Times under-40 wealth lists at significant nine-figure levels.
50. Adele (re-stated), or swap-in regional giants
Depending on source methodology, slots in the lower half fluctuate between major Latin, K-pop, country and Afrobeats stars as tour cycles and catalog deals complete. Adele’s £170m (~$215m) baseline from 2024 is a reliable anchor among these.
Sources & methodology (highlights)
- Jay-Z and the broader 2025 Celebrity Billionaires list; primary anchor for top-end valuations. (Forbes)
- Forbes 2025 Richest Self-Made Women (for Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Madonna, Beyoncé figures). (OIV, Forbes)
- Associated Press/Sunday Times Rich List for Paul McCartney’s billion-status. (Wikipedia)
- Forbes on Dr. Dre’s estimate. (Forbes)
- Sunday Times/UK press roundups for UK artists (Elton John, Ed Sheeran, etc.). (Yahoo Finance, The Independent)
- Parade (2025) for Céline Dion’s widely cited figure. (Forbes)
- Business Insider/People noting Bruce Springsteen billionaire claims and his denial (explains the range). (Jagranjosh.com, Forbes)
A quick note on rankings
Net-worth lists mix currencies, pre-/post-tax calculations, and private valuations. I prioritized Forbes, Bloomberg, AP and Sunday Times data, then triangulated with reputable industry press. Mid-table entries are best read as tiers (high/upper nine figures) rather than precise leaderboard slots.