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Taylor Swift has officially become the world's richest female musician, surpassing Rihanna with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, as revealed by Forbes. This milestone comes after Swift's immense financial success from her Eras Tour and the value of her music catalog. Swift, 34, is now only behind Jay-Z on the list of wealthiest musicians, with Jay-Z boasting a net worth of $2.5 billion.
Forbes reports that Swift's fortune stems from multiple sources. A substantial portion of her wealth, nearly $600 million, has been amassed from her sold-out Eras Tour and royalties. Another $600 million comes from the value of her music catalog, which continues to grow in popularity. Additionally, Swift's real estate holdings, valued at around $125 million, contribute significantly to her net worth. As Forbes noted, "She's the first musician to make the billionaire ranking primarily based on her songs and live performances."
Swift's rise to billionaire status was confirmed in October 2023, following her record-breaking concert series. The Eras Tour, which is set to be one of the most lucrative tours in history, has propelled Swift's earnings to new heights, and the tour is expected to bring in up to $4.1 billion in total revenue. Her financial growth has been remarkable; in 2020, her net worth was estimated at $365 million, meaning she has added over $1.2 billion to her wealth in just four years.
Rihanna, who held the title of the richest female musician for some time, now ranks behind Swift with a net worth of $1.4 billion. Rihanna's fortune has largely come from her Fenty Beauty and Savage x Fenty businesses, which have enjoyed significant success globally. At one point, her net worth peaked at $1.7 billion, making her the richest female musician of all time.
Swift's achievement is unique in the industry as she is the only musician to amass a 10-figure fortune primarily from her recordings and performances, unlike others who have diversified into multiple business ventures. As her tour resumes in the U.S. on October 18, many are watching to see if Swift will eventually overtake Rihanna's previous record as the wealthiest female musician of all time, which was once set at $1.77 billion.
