She’s not just one of the biggest pop stars in the world, but also among the richest!
Taylor Swift dethroned musician and cosmetics mogul Rihanna, as the world’s richest female musician, following the success of her Eras Tour, the business magazine Forbes said.
As of writing, Swift’s real-time net worth is at US$ 1.6 billion. According to Forbes, Swift is the first musician to make it in the billionaire ranking based solely on her songs and performances.
The 34-year-old singer-songwriter became a billionaire in October 2023, and a year later, is among the music industry’s tycoons. However, Swift’s self-made billionaire status differs from other musicians and entertainers with how she made such a fortune.
The business magazine cited that Swift’s wealth was primarily generated through her music career, including revenues from her Eras Tour and the value of her catalog.
The contrast lies in other musicians as their fortunes were amassed through lifestyle brand deals, corporate partnerships, and setting up their businesses. A strategy model reminiscent of hip-hop’s first billionaire, Jay-Z. His wealth was accumulated from monetizing his fame and brands.
Swift’s royalties and touring were reported to reach US$ 600 million, with the same additional amount for her music catalog.
In 2021, the “All Too Well” singer released re-records of her first six albums to regain ownership rights to them. Following the album’s release, Swift returned to touring with the “Eras World Tour.”
Sales from the said tour overwhelmed ticket sellers, catapulting her to billionaire status since the latter half of 2023.
The singer-songwriter has won 14 Grammys and is the first artist in history to claim the top 10 spots in the Billboard Hot 100 song list after the release of her “Midnights” album in 2022.
