It’s not just Beyoncé: The rare club of billionaire musicians
Explore five of the wealthiest msuic artists, how they built their wealth, and what sets each apart in music, business, and ownership
Becoming a billionaire is rarer for musicians than winning a Grammy, and it’s only gotten more exclusive in the streaming era. In December 2025, Forbes confirmed that Beyoncé crossed the $1 billion net-worth threshold, making her just the fifth musician ever to do so — a club dominated by artists who turned musical success into massive financial success.
Musicians today make money in multiple ways, from touring to owning their master recordings, from commercial partnerships to business ventures outside of music — but only a handful have translated those earnings into 10-figure fortunes. Forbes’ billionaire lists aren’t just about hit songs; they measure wealth built over decades of revenue streams and smart ownership decisions. Beyoncé’s rise underscores how global tours and diversified ventures can compound wealth.
Here are the five billionaire musicians, and what sets each apart, according to Forbes.
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Beyoncé
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Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour and decades of music earnings pushed her net worth past $1 billion, making her the fifth musician ever to reach that mark, according to Forbes. Her global touring revenue, combined with earnings from music catalog ownership and lucrative commercial opportunities, were key to her ascent.
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Jay-Z
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According to Forbes, Rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z has long been at the top of music wealth, with an estimated net worth around $2.5 billion. His empire shows how music can be a springboard for diversified business success beyond albums and tours.
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Taylor Swift
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Swift achieved billionaire status in October 2023 through her Eras Tour earnings and control of her music catalog, and by 2025 Forbes estimated her net worth at about $1.6 billion. Her success underscores how owning master recordings and stadium-level touring can drive extraordinary wealth.
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Rihanna
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Rihanna’s billionaire title comes largely from Fenty Beauty and Savage X $TWTR Fenty, rather than music alone, turning her influence into global consumer brands, according to Forbes. Though music helped launch her fame, it was her diversified ventures that built her billionaire status.
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Bruce Springsteen
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Rock legend Bruce Springsteen joined the billionaire ranks through decades of touring and a lucrative sale of his music catalog, making him one of the few classic rock icons to achieve this milestone, notes Forbes. His career demonstrates how legacy artists can leverage lifetime work into substantial net worth.