Beyoncé Hits a Historic Milestone on Forbes’ Elite List

Beyoncé has officially joined an elite group of music’s biggest earners, reaching billionaire status thanks to her decades-long career and savvy business moves.

The singer’s rise to the top was fueled by both her music and her highly profitable tours, including the 2025 Cowboy Carter Tour, which broke records as the highest-grossing concert tour of the year.

Forbes reports that this achievement makes her just the fifth musician ever to reach the billionaire milestone, joining the likes of her husband Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and Rihanna.

Beyoncé’s financial success didn’t happen overnight. She began taking control of her career in 2010 by founding Parkwood Entertainment, managing her own music, tours, and productions to capture a larger share of profits. “When I decided to manage myself, it was important that I didn’t go to some big management company,” she said in a 2013 interview.

“I felt like I wanted to follow the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire and show other women when you get to this point in your career you don’t have to go sign with someone else and share your money and your success—you do it yourself.”

Much of Beyoncé’s wealth comes from her music catalog and her ability to sell out stadiums worldwide. Her 2025 Cowboy Carter Tour alone grossed over $400 million in ticket sales, according to Pollstar, with an additional $50 million from merchandise.

The tour’s massive production involved 350 crew members, 100 semi-trucks of equipment, and eight cargo planes. By producing the tour through Parkwood herself, Beyoncé was able to maximize profits. Forbes estimates she earned $148 million in 2025 before taxes, making her the third-highest paid musician in the world.

Beyoncé has also expanded her earnings through business ventures, including a haircare brand, a whiskey label, and a clothing line.

Her tours and surprise album releases, like the 2013 Beyoncé album and 2016’s visual album Lemonade, have further boosted her income. She has also embraced multimedia opportunities, producing concert films and streaming content. For example, her Renaissance World Tour concert film earned nearly half of its $44 million global box office gross directly for her.

Despite her massive success, Beyoncé emphasizes protecting her personal life and family. “I have made an extreme effort to stay true to my boundaries and protect myself and my family,” she told GQ. “No amount of money is worth my peace.”

Beyoncé’s rise to billionaire status reflects her ability to combine music, business, and global branding. She has proven that owning her work and touring on her own terms can turn creative success into financial power.

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