Madonna Bests Paul McCartney As World's Richest Recording Artist

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By Joe Lynch | December 02, 2014 1:43 PM EST

Madonna tops a new list of the world's wealthiest recording artists, besting fellow 1 percenters Paul McCartney and Dr. Dre. According to Wealth-X's net worth valuation of the pop queen, Madge is worth a staggering $800 million.

That's significantly less than the one billion the New York Post valued her at in 2013, but it's far ahead of Sir Paul, whose net worth Wealth-X places at $660. For those of you who thought Macca had more scratch, keep in mind that his wife, Nancy Shevell, is worth a reported $300 million. So although the McCartney couple is worth more than Madge, the former Beatle isn't richer than her on his own.

Following McCartney comes Dr. Dre who -- despite that massive Beats deal with Apple -- is at No. 3 on the list with $650 million. Speaking of rap moguls, Diddy is the fourth-wealthiest recording artist in 2014 -- although at this point, both Dr. Dre and Diddy are more businessmen than active recording artists.

But keep in mind that this is a list of the world's wealthiest recording artists. When you include musicians as a whole, you open the list up to composers and theater moguls like Andrew Lloyd Webber -- a man worth around $1.2 billion. So clearly, Cats pays better than Beatles.

Here's Wealth-X's full list of 10 Richest Recording Artists. Amounts are in U.S. dollars.

1) Madonna $800 million

2) Paul McCartney $660 million

3) Dr. Dre $650 million

4) Diddy $640 million

5) Celine Dion $630 million

6) Bono $590 million

7) Mariah Carey $520 million

8) Jay Z $510 million

9) Elton John $450 million

10) Beyonce $440 million

I appreciate the ones who continue to be studio recording artists even though everyone knows that is not where they earn their new money.

Cinny said:

Nice to see Dr. Dre and Diddy up there. I am surprised Celine owns that much, good for her!

lastdecember said:

The absence of Queen and ABBA on this list make me doubt how in depth and how much of the world billboard researched.

Wouldn't they have to split the money, and ABBA is not an active group. There are no bands/groups listed. They put Paul, Bono, & Dr. Dre not The Beatles, Wings, U2, NWA, & World Class Wreckin Cru.

MickyDolenz said:

lastdecember said:

The absence of Queen and ABBA on this list make me doubt how in depth and how much of the world billboard researched.

Wouldn't they have to split the money, and ABBA is not an active group. There are no bands/groups listed. They put Paul, Bono, & Dr. Dre not The Beatles, Wings, U2, NWA, & World Class Wreckin Cru.

Abba takes in its cash via its catalog, as does Queen, both have the richest worldwide catalogs. Abba probably takes in more as a "broken up" group than most do as functioning groups. As far as their split I would assume that Abba's biggeest cut goes to Benny and Bjorn because they wrote and produced everything.

lastdecember said:

Abba takes in its cash via its catalog, as does Queen, both have the richest worldwide catalogs. Abba probably takes in more as a "broken up" group than most do as functioning groups. As far as their split I would assume that Abba's biggeest cut goes to Benny and Bjorn because they wrote and produced everything.

But however it's done, if they have to split the money, the individual cuts probably are not as much as the people on the list.

mjscarousal said:

SoulAlive said:

mjscarousal said:

Nice to see Dr. Dre and Diddy up there. I am surprised Celine owns that much, good for her!

I think Celine has one of those lucrative,residency deals in Vegas.

I am happy for her. People sleep on those Vegas deals. Its a good investment imo. She has been performing there for years.

SoulAlive said:

mjscarousal said:

Nice to see Dr. Dre and Diddy up there. I am surprised Celine owns that much, good for her!

I think Celine has one of those lucrative,residency deals in Vegas.

I feel like Celine made it "okay" to make a stage at Las Vegas and stay there. Before her, it was like "yech, VEGAS."

Cinny said:

SoulAlive said:

mjscarousal said: I think Celine has one of those lucrative,residency deals in Vegas.

I feel like Celine made it "okay" to make a stage at Las Vegas and stay there. Before her, it was like "yech, VEGAS."

Ask Britney...

mjscarousal said:

SoulAlive said:

mjscarousal said: I think Celine has one of those lucrative,residency deals in Vegas.

I am happy for her. People sleep on those Vegas deals. Its a good investment imo. She has been performing there for years.

Indeed...plus,those deals are great for older artists who are tired of traveling the world,sleeping in different hotels every night.Touring can be grueling but when you perform in the same city/venue every night,it's easier for the artist.

Celine also goes on massive tours between Vegas residencies. Her 2008 Taking Chances tour is the 3rd highest grossing tour for a solo artist after Sticky and Sweet and MDNA.

SoulAlive said:

purplethunder3121 said:

[img:$uid]http://www.sweetnsalt.fr/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/material-girl-madonna-o.gif[/img:$uid]

I am STILL wrapping my head around her being richer than Sir Paul. What???? (Good for her!)

So now we can REALLY take Madonna's advice about writing your own cheques. I think she's been really smart about who she let into her circle -- And I don't mean "smart" as in "agreeable yes-men".

Always wondered why Bono was listed apart from U2 or if the other members are falling that distant in their respective earnings. Seems like they all do the same work?

Cinny said:

So now we can REALLY take Madonna's advice about writing your own cheques. I think she's been really smart about who she let into her circle -- And I don't mean "smart" as in "agreeable yes-men".

Agree! The fact that she tops this list every year proves her "smartest woman in showbusiness" title is not a fluke. She probably is the most saviest pop star of all time. She is knocking on 60 and still is the richest pop star alive. You would expect the youngins to be number one...but they are not. That is one hell of an accomplishment!

Cinny said:

I am STILL wrapping my head around her being richer than Sir Paul.

Maybe part of her money is not going to the UK taxman. You know that's why some move to other countries.

Cinny said:

Beautifulstarr123 said:

Cinny said:

So now we can REALLY take Madonna's advice about writing your own cheques. I think she's been really smart about who she let into her circle -- And I don't mean "smart" as in "agreeable yes-men".

She seems like a tightwad, not an extravagant spender.

Agreed. I remember a 1990s Larry King Live interview where Madonna said she got the jacket she was wearing for free (but it was, like, Gucci).

Cinny said: