Yahoo News Taylor Swift named highest-paid female musician of 2016
It’s official: Taylor Swift is the highest-paid woman in music, earning more than twice as much as her nearest competitor Adele.
She hasn’t released an album since October 2014, but the American singer-songwriter has still managed to top the charts on the Forbes magazine list as the highest-earning female musician of 2016, earning $170m (£139m).
Copyright [Getty/Gary Miller]
The 26-year-old star amassed her earnings over the past year, mainly thanks to her 1989 World Tour, named after her pop-focused fifth album, which grossed over $250 million, becoming one of the highest grossing tours ever.
Alongside her various brand endorsements for the likes of Keds, Diet Coke and Apple, Taylor – who also out-earned ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris – has also sold more than 40 million albums and 130 million single downloads.
Entertainment attorney Lori Landew told the publication: “She has been building her fan base for years, and that fan base crosses multiple market segments. It’s this ability to appeal to younger and older audiences, and those in between, that makes Taylor such a sure bet with both concert promoters and brands who want to affiliate with her and with the community she has cultivated.”
Copyright [Getty/Gareth Cattermole]
Adele ranked second, with estimated pre-tax income of $80.5m (£65.2m) –which is her highest total so far after her album, 25, became the best-selling album of 2015.
Meanwhile Madonna, who was named the highest-paid woman in music in 2013, placed third with estimated earnings of $76.5m (£62m) – just slightly more than Barbados-born Rihanna, who earned $75m (£60.8m).
As Beyoncé completed the top five, with pre-tax income estimated at $54m (£43.8m), according to the magazine, though it is expected she will place higher next year because of her Formation world tour.
Copyright [Getty/Kevin Mazur]
Here are the top 10 female pop stars on the Forbes list, which covers the period June 2015 to June 2016:
Taylor Swift: $170m (£137.8m)
Adele: $80.5m (£65.2m)
Madonna: $76.5m (£62m)
Rihanna: $75m (£60.8m)
Beyonce: $54m (£43.8m)
Katy Perry: $41m (£33.2m)
Jennifer Lopez: $39.5m (£32m)
Britney Spears: $30.5m (£24.7m)
Shania Twain: $27.5m (£22.3m)
Celine Dion: $27m (£21.9m)
Are there any surprises? Let us know what you think in the comments below or tweet us @YahooCelebUK
