Singers and songwriters are up there with competitive athletes in the list of the highest paid people in the world, and while some believe that we would be better off if heart surgeons, teachers and policemen were paid the way that entertainers were, it is hard to deny that singers play an important role in our lives; singers bring joy and happiness to people and contribute to many of our most important memories. The reason that singers are paid so well is that there is a demand for the music that they make. Here’s a quick look at the 10 richest singers in 2014.
1. Madonna
Topping the list of the 10 richest singers in 2014 is Madonna. Pop’s leading lady has had a long and exciting career. She rose to fame in the 1980s and has reinvented herself many times since then. She is the highest paid musician in the world. In 2013 she earned $125 million – yes, that’s in one year! As well as singing, Madonna also has her own clothing and fragrance line.
2. Jay Z
Jay Z’s fortune is thought to be in excess of $500 million, although no-one knows for sure how much money the prolific and popular rapper has made. Jay Z’s career has been fairly short so far, compared to most of the other artists on this list, but the popularity of songs such as Holy Grail and Run this Town has been enough to catapult him to the top of this list.
3. Elton John
Sir Elton John is a pianist, composer and songwriter. He has sold more than 250 million records over his four-decade long career, which makes him one of the most prolific artists in the world. He has produced music for movie soundtracks, and has won an Academy award and six Grammy awards. His total wealth is thought to be in excess of $350 million, and it will no doubt be increasing because he is still regularly going on tours and producing new music.
4. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez is worth more than $250 million thanks to her success as a singer, actress, record producer and fashion designer. A large portion of her fortune came from her signing with American Idol. She serves as a judge on the popular TV talent show. J. Lo is considered to be one of the most famous, and richest Hispanics in the USA.
5. 50 Cent
50 Cent is another popular – if controversial, rapper. He entered the music industry in 1996, and has since launched a successful acting career as well. 50 Sent is an entrepreneur with many talents, and he has used those talents to amass a fortune of around $250 million.
6. Eminem
While some rappers are relatively niche, Eminem is a household name. He has been active for more than 20 years, and his song The Marshal Matters is one that even non-rap fans are familiar with. He has made a huge contribution to the music world as a whole, and redefined rap for a generation. His fortune is thought to be in excess of $150 million.
7. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is a fashion icon that is renowned as much for what she wears in her music videos as she is for what she sings. She is a controversial but popular star, and she burst onto the scene only a few years ago. She earned more than $80 last year alone, so she definitely qualifies for a spot on this list.
8. Justin Bieber
Love him or hate him, Justin Bieber is definitely a pop sensation. The young Canadian is beloved by children and teenagers around the world, and has managed to earn more than $130 million in his music career so far. Whether he will spend that money wisely, or continue to evolve and keep his pop career going as he grows up, remains to be seen.
9. Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Joviis the face of The Bon Jovi – an American rock band that has been around since the early 1980s. They have had 13 hits in the US top 40, and are well-known in Europe too. Jon Bon Jovi is worth more than $79 million. The rest of his band have done quite well for themselves too, and their music is still loved by many.
10. Pink
Rounding out our list of the 10 richest singers in 2014 is Pink. The multi-talented singer is one of the greatest stars to come out of Australia, and her music is a hit the world over. She has more than $30 million in her bank account, which positions her as one of the better paid singers of 2014. If her career continues on the path it has of late, she could definitely move further up the list by 2015.
