Beatles icon Paul McCartney becomes a billionaire, Forbes estimates
The gist
Forbes estimated Beatles icon Paul McCartney's net worth at about $1.4 billion, ranking him the world's third-richest musician.
His publishing company and catalog rights, not just touring, drive most of it.
How it unfolded
- May 16, 2025Sir Paul McCartney, 82, placed 151st on The Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated £1.025bn, up £25m, helped by ticket sales from his Got Back world tour of more than 60 shows.
- Dec 29, 2025Forbes counted five musician billionaires — Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Jay-Z — while noting other publications put McCartney and Selena Gomez in the category.
- Jan 19, 2026Esquire Australia ranked McCartney third among the richest musicians with a net worth of $2.12 billion.
Key terms
- net worth
- The value of all assets owned by a person or institution minus all outstanding liabilities.
- catalog rights
- The rights to control and earn royalties from a collection of musical works, licensed by music publishers.
- The Sunday Times Rich List
- An annual ranking published by a British Sunday newspaper of the wealthiest people and families in the United Kingdom.
Source: Wikipedia