TOP 20 Richest Male Musician in the World 2025

Richest Male Musician in the World 2025: Famous singers make a lot of money and live lavish lives. They go on big tours, sell millions of records, and are loved by many people.

They sing songs that make us feel powerful emotions and can become very famous. But being a singer isn’t just about being famous, some singers also become incredibly rich. They earn a lot of money and become some of the wealthiest people in the entertainment industry.

Richest Male Musician in the World 2025

Now, let’s take a look at the Richest Male Musician in the World for the year 2025.

1. Paul McCartney

The former member of the Beatles has been named the richest singer in the world for many years. His wealth is now estimated to be over $1.5 billion.

He started his incredible career in the 1960s with John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison as part of the Beatles. Together, they sold over 600 million records, making them the most successful band in music history.

Even after the Beatles split up in 1970, Paul McCartney continued to be successful. He has earned 60 gold records and sold over 100 million albums. The Guinness Book of Records recognizes him as the most successful composer and recording artist ever.

In 1999, he was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his achievements as a solo artist. His enormous wealth, which even competes with rapper Jay-Z’s, comes from a combination of album sales and royalties as a songwriter.

2. Jimmy Buffett

US country singer Jimmy Buffett has amassed a wealth of around $1 Billion. His breakthrough came in the mid-1970s when he consistently charted several hits.

Although Buffett shifted towards mainstream rock in the 1980s, he struggled to replicate his earlier successes. However, in 2003, he reclaimed the number one spot on the country charts, and a year later, his 39th album “License to Chill” also made it onto the pop charts.

Buffett boasts a loyal fan base, and his tours from 2000 to 2009 alone generated total sales of $215 million. He’s also the owner of the Margaritaville restaurant chain.

In addition to his music career, Buffett has made a name for himself as an author, topping the New York Times bestseller list for both novels and non-fiction works.

3. Bono

Bono, the lead singer of U2, has made a name for himself not only as a successful musician but also as a supporter of environmental and social justice causes.

Aside from his music career, Bono is also known for his success as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and venture capitalist. One of his notable investments was in Facebook, which brought him considerable income. He also owns a lot of real estate, is part of the board of a private equity firm called Elevation Partners, and is a co-owner of the Clarence Hotel in Dublin.

However, there have been controversies surrounding Bono as well. His name was mentioned in the Paradise Papers, which uncovered evidence of tax fraud involving wealthy individuals globally. This was surprising given Bono’s image as a philanthropist and advocate for social causes.

4. Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen, a veteran in the music industry, has been performing since 1965. After being part of various bands, he signed a deal with Columbia Records in 1972, thanks to his talent as a songwriter, which laid the groundwork for his $700 million fortune.

Some of his most famous songs include “Born To Run,” “Born in the USA,” and “High Hopes,” among many others. He’s been nominated for the Grammy Awards 49 times and has won 20 times.

His unique style combines elements of folk, blues, country, and rock ‘n’ roll. His lyrics often reflect everyday life in America, although he generally avoids taking political stances.

Aside from earning money through song royalties and album sales, Springsteen is known for selling out tickets to his tours. His Australian tour in 2017, for instance, is reported to have added another $50 million to his earnings.

5. Julio Iglesias

Spanish singer and songwriter Julio Iglesias has amassed an estimated wealth of $620 million. He’s known for his incredible work ethic, having released a staggering 80 studio albums.

His songs have been translated into 14 languages and sold approximately 300 million copies worldwide.

Iglesias’ albums have been recognized with over 2,600 gold or platinum awards. Rising to fame in the ’70s and ’80s, he has maintained a successful touring career for over four decades.

6. Elton John

The British singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer Elton John is estimated to have a fortune of nearly $580 million. This places the knighted Sir as the second richest British artist after Paul McCartney.

Over the span of four decades, Elton John has sold 250 million albums. Between 1970 and 1982, he charted 30 different songs internationally and earned six Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and other accolades.

In 2011, he founded the “Rocket Music Entertainment Group,” through which he promotes himself and other artists. Despite his potential for even greater wealth, Sir Elton John prioritizes donating several million dollars a year to charity.

7. Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the Rolling Stones and has amassed a fortune of around $550 million. Since 1985, he has also released solo albums and collaborated with other artists such as Tina Turner and David Bowie. Additionally, Jagger has dabbled in the film industry, both as an actor and a producer.

The bulk of his net worth comes from his earnings as a member of the Rolling Stones and as a solo artist. For instance, the Stones’ A Bigger Bang tour in 2007 grossed half a billion dollars.

In 2003, Jagger, like his fellow British musicians Paul McCartney and Elton John, was knighted for his contributions to music.

8. Sting

Sting, whose real name is Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, comes from a working-class background. He gained fame by selling over 100 million albums both with The Police and as a solo artist, making him one of the wealthiest musicians in England. In 2014, he made headlines with his $550 million fortune from record sales and tours.

However, Sting surprised many when he announced that he only planned to leave a small portion of his wealth to his six children. He expressed concern that too much money might hinder their opportunities in life. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, he explained that he doesn’t anticipate much of his fortune will be left in the end anyway.

Despite his wealth, Sting is responsible for employing over 100 people, so he has financial obligations beyond his personal wealth.

9. Bob Dylan

The American musician Bob Dylan is known for his versatility in creativity. His career spans five decades, but he’s most renowned for his work in the 1960s. Since the late 1980s, he’s been on a tour “The Never Ending Tour.”

Dylan is celebrated as a master of his craft and a prolific creator. His songs have been covered by over six thousand famous musicians, earning him royalties from various sources like cover versions, sales, streams, and airplay. His annual income from song royalties alone is estimated to be around $15 million.

In December 2020, it was reported that Dylan sold all of his songs to Universal Music Publishing Group for $300 million. However, the actual price tag of $400 million was disclosed two months later.

In January 2022, it was revealed that Dylan had signed another contract with Sony in 2021, which paid him $200 million for his master recordings.

10. Keith Richards

British singer, songwriter, and producer Keith Richards is best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and secondary vocalist of the band The Rolling Stones.

The Rolling Stones have sold over 200 million albums worldwide. Since their formation, the band has toured almost every year, capitalizing on their live performances to generate substantial income. In 2018 alone, they earned $117 million from just 14 concerts.

Both Keith Richards and his bandmate Mick Jagger are credited with writing the majority of The Rolling Stones’ original songs.

11. Eric Clapton

British rock singer Eric Clapton is a three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is regarded as one of the most successful singers in history.

With 21 solo studio albums, Clapton has produced hits like “After Midnight,” “I Shot the Sheriff,” “Wonderful Tonight,” and the Grammy-winning acoustic version of “Layla.” He is among the best-selling musicians of all time, having sold over 100 million albums.

Clapton has received 17 Grammy Awards and numerous other accolades throughout his career.

In addition to his music career, Clapton has built a significant fortune through investments in real estate, artwork, and automobiles. His collection of rare Ferraris alone is valued at least $50 million, and possibly even up to $100 million.

12. Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi is worth approximately $450 million, having gained fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of the hard rock band Bon Jovi. The band’s albums achieved multiple platinum certifications.

He briefly pursued a solo career but returned to the band’s success with the hit “It’s My Life” in 2000.

In addition to music, Jon Bon Jovi has composed film scores and acted in various films between 1990 and 2011.

At his peak, he earned roughly $80 million annually from record royalties and performances. His residence in New Jersey alone is valued at $22 million. Furthermore, Jon Bon Jovi owns a football team, the Philadelphia Soul.

13. Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks is renowned for his contributions to country music. Alongside his wife, country singer Trisha Yearwood, they boast a combined net worth of $420 million, with Garth holding the majority of their assets.

Garth’s achievements in music are significant, with six of his albums earning Diamond certification. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), he has sold over 148 million albums in the United States alone, establishing him as one of the top-selling solo artists in the country.

Brooks’ success extends globally, with over 200 million records sold worldwide, solidifying his status as one of the most successful musicians of all time.

14. Gene Simmons

American rock star Gene Simmons is famous for co-founding the band Kiss, which achieved immense popularity from the late 1970s to the 1990s and has sold over 100 million albums worldwide.

While Gene has contributed to an extensive discography and successful concert tours, he now primarily relies on royalties from Kiss albums and merchandise for his income. Since the 1970s, these royalties have surpassed $1 billion.

According to Gene, Kiss earns around $100 million annually from concerts, merchandise sales, and licensing deals.

15. Toby Keith

Toby Keith is a well-known figure in country music, though he might not be widely recognized in Germany unless you’re familiar with the genre.

Apart from his music career, he’s also earned a substantial amount from acting. However, the majority of his wealth stems from his highly successful beverage brand, Wild Shot, and his restaurant franchise, I Love This Bar & Grill.

16. Lars Ulrich

Danish musician, producer, and composer Lars Ulrich has amassed a net worth of $370 million. His wealth primarily stems from his role as a co-founder of the American heavy metal band Metallica.

In 2009, when Metallica was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Ulrich became the first Dane to achieve this honor.

17. Ringo Starr

As a former member of the Beatles, Ringo Starr is a significant figure on the list of the richest singers of all time. While he occasionally took lead vocals on songs like “Yellow Submarine” and “With a Little Help from My Friends,” Starr’s contributions to the band’s success were substantial.

His current net worth is estimated to be around $370 million, according to various sources, making him one of the wealthiest drummers in the world.

18. Phil Collins

Despite going through three divorces, each costing him millions, Phil Collins’ total assets remain largely unaffected. As the drummer and singer of the group Genesis and with a remarkable solo career, he boasts a net worth of approximately $360 million.

In 2011, Collins announced his retirement from the music business due to health reasons, but he returned to the stage in 2016.

Throughout his 40-year career, Collins has sold 100 million records, including smash hits like “In the Air Tonight.” In the USA alone, 13 of his songs reached the top ten between 1984 and 1990.

In 2015, he purchased a property in Florida for around $33 million.

19. Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl, an American rock musician, boasts a net worth of $340 million. While many recognize him as the lead singer and guitarist of the Foo Fighters, he’s also renowned as the former drummer of Nirvana.

During his time with Nirvana, Grohl contributed to the sale of 75 million albums, including 30 million in the United States alone. Throughout their more than two decades of collaboration, the Foo Fighters have consistently been one of the highest-grossing touring groups worldwide, resulting in significant earnings for Dave with each show.

20. Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams started his career in the 1990s as part of the boy band Take That but achieved even greater success as a solo artist.

His solo albums have sold over 75 million copies worldwide, establishing him as one of the most successful British musicians in history.

In 2002, Robbie signed a groundbreaking deal with record label EMI worth $150 million, marking it as the largest deal in British music history.

FAQs

Who is the richest singer of all time?

Paul McCartney is very rich, with $1.5 billion earned throughout his career. His success comes from being part of the most famous songwriting duo ever, The Beatles. Even now, he earns money from the songs they wrote in the 1960s and 1970s.

Besides The Beatles, he made more money with his band Wings and by himself as a solo artist. His talent has earned him a knighthood and 18 Grammy Awards. He also owns a lot of music rights, including songs from popular musicals like Grease and Annie.

How do singers make so much money with their music?

Musicians can make money in three main ways with their music:

• Streaming Revenue: Every time someone listens to their song on a streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music, the musician gets a small payment.
• Live Performances: When musicians perform their music at concerts or on tours where people pay to attend, they earn money from ticket sales.
• Licensing: Companies need to get permission (a license) to use a musician’s song in things like ads, movies, or video games, and the musician gets paid for this.

Additionally, musicians can also make money through advertising deals and selling fan merchandise. This includes selling things like T-shirts and posters at their concerts, getting paid to endorse products, appearing on TV or at events, and more.

Which is the most commercially successful band of all time?

It’s often said that The Beatles sold over 600 million records, but officially, only 250 million of those sales are recognized.

However, even with that lower number, The Beatles are still considered the most successful band ever in terms of sales. In their relatively short career from 1960 to 1970, they grossed an estimated $600 million.

Who is the No 1 richest singer in world?

Paul McCartney is the richest singer in the world.