Beyoncé has officially become a billionaire, according to Forbes, placing her among a rare group of musicians whose net worth exceeds $1 billion.
The milestone reflects more than hit records or brand endorsements. It highlights a long-term strategy built on ownership, global touring, and carefully chosen business ventures that reshaped how modern music icons generate wealth.
Beyoncé’s recent financial surge followed the release of Cowboy Carter, her genre-blending 2024 album that expanded her reach into country music. The project earned strong critical praise and opened a new chapter in her career.
Its 2025 tour became the highest-grossing country tour in history. Forbes and Pollstar estimate it generated more than $400 million in ticket sales and around $50 million in merchandise revenue. That single run played a decisive role in pushing her net worth beyond the billion-dollar threshold.
Beyoncé entra na lista de bilionários da Forbes; assista #CNNPrimeTime pic.twitter.com/OtaZpyh7bS
— CNN Brasil (@CNNBrasil) December 31, 2025
Forbes also estimates that Beyoncé earned about $148 million before taxes in 2025 alone, ranking her among the world’s highest-paid musicians for the year. This achievement did not happen overnight. Beyoncé began her career in the late 1990s with Destiny’s Child and later built a global solo brand grounded in creative control.
She retained ownership over much of her music catalogue, publishing rights, and production decisions. That approach created recurring income streams from streaming, licensing, and royalties that continue long after album releases.
Industry analysts note that for elite artists, touring now generates more than 75% of annual income. Live shows convert fan loyalty directly into ticket and merchandise sales, making them the most powerful engine of wealth in today’s music business.
The Billionaire Musicians Club
With this milestone, Beyoncé joins a small and influential group of artists whose careers translated into billion-dollar fortunes.
- Jay-Z, became the first hip-hop billionaire through a mix of music, entrepreneurship, and strategic investments.
- Taylor Swift also crossed the billion-dollar mark, driven by record-breaking tours and ownership of her masters.
- Rihanna became a billionaire by pairing chart success with the global expansion of Fenty Beauty.
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen completes the group, with decades of touring and catalogue ownership fueling his wealth.
Beyoncé’s entry into this elite circle underscores a broader shift in the music industry. Ownership, control, and live performance now define financial success at the highest level.