Beyonce Tops Forbes’ ‘Top Earning Women In Music’ Tally

Published: Tuesday 4th Nov 2014 by David

beyonce-that-grape-juice-90000

‘Sail On‘ chanteuse Beyonce has done it again!

Yes, after giving former manager Mathew Knowles the boot in 2011, the entertainer has seen her brand reach exciting new heights in the years following, using her star power to secure deals that have no doubt made her the envy of a rival Pop superstar.

So, spare a thought for said superstars today as they learn that they’ve been outperformed by ‘Yonce once again.

Who, what, where and why?

All will be revealed below…

When naming 2014’s highest earning women in music, ‘Forbes’ reports:

In 2013, Beyoncé had one of her best years in recent memory, pulling in $53 million. How did she follow the feat? By more than doubling that total in 2014. The superstar singer enjoyed the biggest year of her career, earning $115 million—making her the top-earning woman in the music business.

“Like everyone else, you work really hard and you want it to be great; you want your friends to like it,” she told FORBES five years ago. “What makes me feel comfortable is practice and knowing I’m prepared.”

The same holds true today. Beyoncé played 95 shows during our scoring period, bringing in an average $2.4 million per city, according to Pollstar. She added endorsement deals from the likes of H&M and Pepsi PEP +0.18%—plus her self-titled surprise album, which hit iTunes in December 2013 and quickly became one of the year’s top sellers—to send her income into nine-figure territory.

1. Beyonce – $115 Million

2. Taylor Swift – $64 Million
3. P!nk – $52 Million
4. Rihanna – $48 Million
5. Katy Perry – $40 Million
6. Jennifer Lopez – $37 Million
7. Miley Cyrus – $36 Million
8. Celine Dion – $36 Million
9. Lady Gaga – $33 Million
10. Britney Spears – $30 Million

Our figures are calculated by looking at income from touring, record sales, publishing, merchandise sales, endorsements and other ventures. Management and attorney fees are not deducted. Earnings are calculated from June 2013 to June 2014 and based on data from Pollstar, the RIAA and Nielsen SoundScan, and from interviews with managers, lawyers and executives.

Any surprises?

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  1. Fancy BISH November 4, 2014

    Get dem coins! 😉

    • You tried November 4, 2014

      This isn’t n e thing new Queen Bey works hard for them coins with no promo, no interviews TV cameos or showings! She hardly worked while working and Enjoyed her family and life in the process! She makes coins in her sleep

      Congrats to all women in this list it really is a good FeAt!!!!!

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    • You tried November 4, 2014

      “CHECK THE SCORE BOARD”!

      Not really celebrating her earnings but the way the FACTS always seems to shut her haters THE HELL UP!

      Lol at the end of the day this is her JOB! For all the haters saying y her fans are so happy bout the BIGGEST achievement any one can make in their WORK LIFE.. Out performing your competition from ONE to TEN!

  2. Charlieyoncé November 4, 2014

    QUEEN! Slaying left, right and centre!

  3. Yeah I Said It November 4, 2014

    Waits for the ‘I dont take Forbes seriously’ comments because their fave is flopping on it.

    • XYZ November 5, 2014

      I don’t think that anyone on THAT list is flopping…

  4. let’s be real November 4, 2014

    are we surprised? while the lessors rant about singles sales this WOMAN is banking from Albums and Tours making more $ without singles !PRIORITIES! PRIORITIES!

    • metzo November 4, 2014

      You tell em!

  5. Yeah I Said It November 4, 2014

    Oh and who can forget the ‘why are you stanning for other peoples money’ comments. Yet you sit on the blog 24/7 arguing about statistics that are not yours.

    • Everyone’s A Critic November 4, 2014

      I will never understand ‘stanning’ for someone else’s sales… It’s stupid. Get your own money, then talk! While everyone on here argues about people’s statistics the said person remains UNBOTHERED

      • TRUTH SERUM November 4, 2014

        Well I have my own money and there’s nothing wrong with celebrating the success of others. Especially when you have seen this person work extremely hard for the past 20 years. Only haters wouldn’t get that.

      • Everyone’s A Critic November 5, 2014

        I appreciate the work.. Don’t care about the sales. As long as I like it, it’s a hit in my eyes. Spoken as a fan of MUSIC and not celebrity culture

  6. King_Lonnie_19 November 4, 2014

    Only the Queen bow down b******.

    • Trellbeylike November 4, 2014

      Lmaooooooo Beyoncé runs this industry!!!!!!!!!! #BowDown b******!

  7. CherylSoldierr November 4, 2014

    Slay slay slay!

  8. tits mcgee November 4, 2014

    Beyonce is getting big dollars! No denying that..

    #TheWritingsOnTheWall
    #ThouShallNotHate

  9. Tyler November 4, 2014

    She’s not bossy, she’s the BOSS!

  10. metzo November 4, 2014

    Objective: The most successful and most talented woman in music right now. And I’m not even being bias. Nothing but facts.

    #Queen #Goddess #BowTheFuckDown

  11. Slay_Hive November 4, 2014

    The hardest working woman in the industry. Might I add MOST talented, as well. Work Bey 😉

    • Skyfall November 4, 2014

      Lol, they’re are plenty of people in the industry that shits on beyonce Vocally and artistically but considering how you worship her you’re to blind to see it. Do you even listen to any other artist other than Beyonce?

      • Slay_Hive November 4, 2014

        Yes b****, I listen to several other artists. Beyonce is just one of the more talented ones that I listen to. It is my opinion that she is the best, and SEVERAL other’s opinion as well. Just because I am a fan doesn’t mean I worship her b****. Don’t get it twisted.

  12. Tyler November 4, 2014

    Such a good business woman.
    *Throws coins at haters faces* Take that b******!

  13. Theman November 4, 2014

    Congrats to her, but she has to tour a million
    times with super expensive tickets.. She has to
    work a million times harder just to achieve what her peers do.. Congrats tho.. She do be making that dough !!

    • Tyler November 4, 2014

      How so? elaborate…

    • Yeah I Said It November 4, 2014

      The fact that she can sell tickets for expensive prices is why she slays. Madonna isnt the top Touring female artist by selling cheap tickets. Her prices are sky high. Try again.

      • Oh, so we doing this today? November 4, 2014

        Honey, she better pimp ya’ll stans out i’m not mad you better play em to the 9’s Bey 🙂

    • Yeah I Said It November 4, 2014

      Oh and, only 95 dates were counted. Plus, she had less dates than gaga and still outgrossed her. Just stop with that.

    • Slay_Hive November 4, 2014

      Her peers are not even on her level though. She dropped an album out of nowhere and sells better than her peers. She releases news about a tour and the tickets sell out in within minutes. She releases an album and doesn’t even bother to promote, yet she’s still catching everyone’s attention and selling albums. She hasn’t worked hard at all, other than touring, but she’s a touring artist and respected as a critically acclaimed performer. Of course she’s going to tour. The demand is there. 33 years old and still competing with the little girls she inspired.

      BTW What are her peers achieving that she hasn’t already?

  14. Weave Snatcher November 4, 2014

    Oh Bey I can’t feel my edges.Where my weave at?…This woman slays from left to right.Way to go Bey

  15. metzo November 4, 2014

    While the haters are ranting about her diction and flopping singles, she is slaying your faves in EVERY categories that actually matter. Sip on that tea 😉 .


    Death at her making more than Rihanna 2 years in a fuckinggg row and tho!! And he fact that she made over twice as much as the “GLOBAL” superstar Bwahahahaa

    • Cupid November 4, 2014

      Rihanna hasn’t put any music out lately and didn’t tour as much… 48Mill is good. R8 is on its way… I’m sure everyone of us would love to make half as much as any of these ladies.

  16. Stephy Tha Lambily November 4, 2014

    Who needs a number 1 single, when you bringing in 100+ million $’s…??? Beyonce is UNBOTHERED

    • Mark111 November 4, 2014

      Who need songs that people will love and listen to if your fave makes a lot of money?

      • Yazmine November 4, 2014

        But people love and listen to Beyoncé. Hence why the Hive exists and she CAN make money.

  17. Oh, so we doing this today? November 4, 2014

    Yaaaassssss, she better pimp out her stans for those coins. Get money bish 🙂

  18. tits mcgee November 4, 2014

    Give credit where it’s due! She made twice as much(or more), than the other women on the list. That is pure slayage!

    #KeepItReal

  19. SURPRISE……(DEC.13) November 4, 2014

    WHEN WILL RIHWHORENNA THO??????? SHE CAN CLING TO THOSE FORGETTABLE NO 1 SINGLES, BUT BEY IS MAKING MORE MONEY DAN A LOT OF THERE STARS COMBINED.LOL

    • Everyone’s A Critic November 4, 2014

      But rihanna is doing her thing too though. Why make this a competition?

      • tits mcgee November 4, 2014

        I agree. #4 is nothing to sneeze at. They are both the most successful black women in the industry. No one can say either of them are a flop…

        They both killing the game in their own lanes..

      • SURPRISE……(DEC.13) November 4, 2014

        I’M NOT MAKING IT A COMPETITION, I WAS JUST TRYING TO MAKE THOSE NAVY THOTS SEETHE FOR THE GODS…..LOL, BECAUSE U KNOW IF IT WAS D OTHER WAY ROUND, THEY WILL BE PERCHED ON THIS BLOG THROWING SHADE AT MT FAVE….#FACTSONLY

    • Everyone’s A Critic November 4, 2014

      I can’t take you seriously… Fix yourself ! I see what you’re saying but how you’re saying it insults me and your reasoning is childish

  20. Everyone’s A Critic November 4, 2014

    People on here always talking about single sales when that cash goes to record companies. Beyonce focuses on BUSINESS… Everyone tops charts these day.. Not everyone tops Forbes. Think about that and understand why we call her QUEEN Bey

    • Oh, so we doing this today? November 4, 2014

      LOL!

    • TheElusiveLamb November 4, 2014

      That’s so true. That’s how you can tell which artists were actually concerned about the business and securing their future, bc those are the ones that still have millions to spend.

  21. Lily November 4, 2014

    LMAO at Lady Gaga even Katy is shitting on top. At least my fav is N04 with No Album. Congrats to Bey & all of them. Go get them coins.

  22. Tyler November 4, 2014

    The Queen Bey is slaying and Rihanna is winning in her own lane #EnoughSaid

  23. Rihyeezy November 4, 2014

    We top 5 with no new material since 2012??
    Slay Queen

  24. King M.J November 4, 2014

    King Bey indeed.

  25. Oh, so we doing this today? November 4, 2014

    And the navy was bragging about rihanna is 4 on this list when she gets the top spot then ya’ll can celebrate….Death!

  26. TheElusiveLamb November 4, 2014

    I see Queen Bee big pimping. 🙂

    • TheElusiveLamb November 4, 2014

      I had to add though, who knew Taylor was getting it like that?

  27. Beysus November 4, 2014

    Yasssss!!! Get that money, honey…

  28. Yazmine November 4, 2014

    Yesss bish. Hot 100 who? The hive aint making excuses when they say shes #UNBOTHERED. Shes making double your faves have without that and her albums still sell more than your faves. Thats why she runs this motha. Beyonce has been there with her hits, shes already a young legend. Shes carved her name. She stays a step ahead now. Thats what its about.

  29. Rafael November 4, 2014

    Lol i thought Rihanna was on top of her game, n she couldn’t do half of Bey’s earnings……….. Hold up where is Ciara?? N death @ lady gaga at the bottom of the barrel under miley cyrus.

    • Knowles Carter November 4, 2014

      Forbes doesn’t know a Ciara.

      • TheElusiveLamb November 4, 2014

        Lol even Ford doesn’t know Ciara. If only Future paid his 5th baby mama’s support, she wouldn’t be walking on the street with her Daddy

  30. LB November 4, 2014

    Well good for her.

    • tits mcgee November 4, 2014

      But even when LB says something nice, y’all thumbs down? Smh..

      #NotThatSerious

    • SURPRISE……(DEC.13) November 4, 2014

      ARE U LOVEBIRD OR LOVEBIRD’S REASONABLE LONG LOST EDUCATED DISTANT RELATIVE?????? BECAUSE HATEBIRD WOULD NORMALLY NOT SAY SOMETHING NICE ABOUT BEY..I’M CONFUSED!!!!!

  31. ~The Arcade~ November 4, 2014

    LOVE THIS >> “What makes me feel comfortable is practice and knowing I’m prepared.”

  32. Knowles Carter November 4, 2014

    The QUEEN of Forbes! Congrats to the Bajan w**** too. Top 5 is good as well.

  33. LB November 4, 2014

    I guess this list proves one thing though, celebrities are overpaid.

    • Knowles Carter November 4, 2014

      They work hard for theirs honey. Get your money up, low down dirty scoundrel.

  34. RoyalKev November 4, 2014

    Well, B told us “I’m making all these racks” … That grown woman stays paid!

    • tits mcgee November 4, 2014

      Lol. Stacks of Racks. Hey Kev!

      • RoyalKev November 4, 2014

        Yesss, Racks on racks on racks!

        Hey McGee! 🙂

  35. Slayoncè November 4, 2014

    The SLAYAGE a is real… Haters can talk all they want but Beyoncè is laughing straight to the BANK

  36. Eloviano November 4, 2014

    Somebody help me find Ciara. I’m thinking of calling the army to conduct a nationwide search for her. The way her stans talk shiit about other artists, you’d think she’d top this list.
    – I’m not surprised Bey is topping Forbes. She works hard and deserves it. Just look at the gap between her and her lessers.

  37. Kisses Down Low November 4, 2014

    Kiiiii wheres Blue Ivy Carter Rodruiguez who was saying she wasn’t going to profit much this year? You have the nerve to call me dumb when I was more accurate than you.

    • Slay_Hive November 4, 2014

      LOL that thing thinks she knows everything. I remember that comment

  38. rita ora can win a oscar November 4, 2014

    LOL I am laughing at Rihanna. She claims to be the fashion bad b**** yet she has been caught jacking from kepis, fefe and Rita, now, Rita books more fashion deals than her and gets 1st options on clothes.s

    She claims to be the biggest pop star but ONCE AGAIN SHE MUKRED BY KATY, TAY AND QUEEN OF POP BEYONCE

    SHE claims to be sexiest but men hit and quit and CB dumped her for an asian.

    June 2013 she had stay and her stadium tour and yet she made only 48 million.

    • Everyone’s A Critic November 4, 2014

      48 million more than you… Let that burn hater. See you in church next Sunday

  39. SMH November 4, 2014

    Lol silly kids. Her BRAND earned $115 million, she didn’t personally pocket $115 million. There’s a difference.

    • rita ora can win a oscar November 4, 2014

      WHICH IS more scary for rihanna, who will done at before 30/ WORD ON THE STREET is that rihanna is in financial trouble. She blows to much on her entourage and her tours are not making profit. 48 mill is too low for a woman who claims to be the NUMBER 1 pop star in the world based on number 1 singles

    • Yazmine November 4, 2014

      We know fool. Its still way more than everyone elses brand. So inevitably, she personally pocketed more than everyone else as a result. Dumbasssz

  40. rita ora can win a oscar November 4, 2014

    AND THEY KEEP SAYING SHE IS THE BIGGEST POP STATR IN THE WORLD AND yet look at how pitiful her stats are when they measure up.

  41. jammy November 4, 2014

    Taylor and Beyonce may go head to head for this year? But Iam sure beyonce will still win. Seems like 2015 will be when Taylor gives her a run for her money, unless Beyonce comes out with new things, tours, and a complete new album (not the repackaged one).

  42. CICI LOVER November 4, 2014

    A lot of money for J.Lo despite her flop album and without touring, great. Poor those who have to travel all around the world touring and have hits yet can’t make that list.

    and LOL Rihanna didn’t do s*** this year

    • rita ora can win a oscar November 4, 2014

      LOL LOL The list is from June 2013 when she was on her so called sell out stadium tour and look at what she took? SHE FLOPPED END OF

  43. Everyone’s A Critic November 4, 2014

    Can we get some love for P!nk.. Over a decade in the game, still respected and getting major money with less hits of recent than anyone else in that list (not including dion and spears)!!! Love P!nk

    • Yazmine November 4, 2014

      Yess Pink is the epitome of a dark horse slaying. I cant at her making more than Rihannas brand.

      • xedos November 4, 2014

        she tour more and longer than Rihanna so she should make more

      • Yazmine November 4, 2014

        Excuses.She doesn’t have half the endorsements Rihanna had. And Rihanna still had a big Tour on top of that.

  44. Realest November 4, 2014

    Congrats to Queen Bey and the rest of the chicks in the top ten. Some of yall on here are really straight up losers. If you’re a top ten money maker in the music industry when there are HELLLLLLLLLA music artists, then you’re slaying. Anyone trying to shade rihanna, gaga and katy when CLEARLY theyre doing their thing as well, is really just pathetic. Did you even make 60k this year? Have a seat

  45. xedos November 4, 2014

    how much does she make from getting credit for songs she did not write?

    • JOHNVIDAL November 5, 2014

      I´m sure a lot! LOL Unfair.

  46. Mark111 November 4, 2014

    So sad, they’re jumping for Beyoncé making alot of money from over charging them for tickets and albums. Lol, you guys are blind sheep. MJ jad millions if not a billion and that LAST thing his fans would brag about is the money he made vs the music he made. Same with every legend, but the pest wouldn’t know anything about that topic.

    • Slay_Hive November 4, 2014

      A fan of Rihanna’s calling someone a blind sheep. oh the irony. Bey’s concert tickets are expensive because she is worth the money. Beyonce’s fans know when they spend money on something, it will be QUALITY! The reason her album is selling for $16 and hasn’t been discounted, like others.
      Secondly, this is a post about Beyonce’s earnings. Of course her fans are going to be excited for her. It just goes to show how superior her brand is. It’s not her fault that others churn out album after album and hit after hit and work like slaves, to only be less successful. This has nothing to do with MJ and his geriatric fans from the 90’s. There was no social media at that time, so of course things are A LOT different. How about you try not to be so bitter…. 😀

      • fatusankoh November 4, 2014

        Slay hive well said thank you let continue to love and support our bey don’t let the haters get to us

    • Tyler November 4, 2014

      Ummm…if this were Rihanna, and her lack luster vocals that we were talking about here, I’d agree with you. But Beyonce puts on a damn good high energy show. She’s the most commercially viable entertainer of our time for a REASON. So no, we aren’t being over charged #WellWorthIt

    • Realest November 4, 2014

      Oh honey stop seething and just congratulate. She is slaying everyone to the fifth power, including your fav, but your fav is doing her thing too- just not like Bey. It is what it is hunny.

    • XXX November 4, 2014

      What was overcharged? AMAZING shows don’t come cheap, but then a Rihanna fan uld not know much about that.

  47. Taylor swift number 1 fan!! November 4, 2014

    — 1 TAYLOR SWIFT BIG MACHINE 1,316,427

    Taylor sells 1 million 316, 427 couples of 1989 in a week.

  48. Taylor swift number 1 fan!! November 4, 2014

    *Copies

  49. XXX November 4, 2014

    You get what you pay for. This is why she is HBIC.

  50. d November 4, 2014

    1. Let us give it up for TWO of the top 4 ladies being black
    2. RIH didn’t drop an album or tour or really anything yet still banking $43MIL
    3. We see you PINK!!!

    • Yazmine November 4, 2014

      No hun, Diamonds Tour was counted.

      • d November 4, 2014

        well thank you for correcting me. I forgot they start in JULY with forbes counting….I am sure that counted for her entire earnings being that is started MARCH right?!?!

  51. fatusankoh November 4, 2014

    You go bey I am very happy for you your talente and hard work pay off as for the haters who don’t want us to to be happy for her shame on you I am a hard worker I love to see that bey is getting what she deserve long live queen May God continue to bless protect you and your family for life long happy life ever lasting long happy married more success in all you do good luck with every thing you do

  52. Lydia November 4, 2014

    Slay. Can we get a post on Simon Cowell comparing her to Michael Jackson.

  53. RICHIE_RICH November 4, 2014

    Werk mother, I see you RiRi … Congrats to all the ladies get money baby!!!!!

  54. Emeral November 4, 2014

    For effs sake she made almost double the #2 spot, let alone the Top 5. Slay a bit. #CommercialGem

  55. Valerie November 4, 2014

    Shes still got ha money.

  56. Dem Lessors November 4, 2014

    Pink’s snatching more wigs than I thought. Well done.

  57. Dem Lessors November 4, 2014

    Kinda shocked Nicki ain’t there too.

  58. KP November 4, 2014

    Rihanna Navy we in this b****!!!! #4 with a few tour dates and no new music.Beyonce did 3 million tours so of coarse her take is going to be high.Rihanna still slayed!!!!

    • Sass November 4, 2014

      Reading is fundamental. Only 95 dates from the Mrs Carter show were counted. And It did not include OTR Tour.

  59. african music lover November 4, 2014

    So only 95 dates were counted and she made that much?? Rihanna diamonds world tour dates were all coounted right.. Anyone remember how the fans of the worldwide star were braging about stadium tours??? Well congrats to Celin dion and pink,they have soo many years in this industry, but didnt Rihanna earn something similar last year but she didnt do any touring? Something is fishy here! I wish she could step-up her Boss game so that she could bank a lot,but that is still a lot of money so cograts to all women in this top ten…..

  60. gilbert November 4, 2014

    let me just say this once.. As of November 2014, BEYONCE’s net worth is over $536 million! Are we surprised? 😉 #bowdown

  61. #barbsnation November 5, 2014

    She isn’t called thiefyonce for nothing

    • african music lover November 5, 2014

      ^^^what did she steal to be a top earner? And i cant seem to find nicki there..

  62. xedos November 5, 2014

    I never believe forbes list. Their math never makes sense. Its a guesstimate not fact. I know no one from rihanna or beyonce camp would give them info.

  63. JOHNVIDAL November 5, 2014

    LOL dead at Celine Dion constantly being in the top10 of these lists since… the 90s? And without even trying to have a serious recording career anymore 🙂
    Anyway, these lists are pointless since they are not trust worthly, since they cook several every year and since we shouldn´t care what others earn, especially when it´s not too fair that a few people earn as much (although I hope you all understand this is not what these people really earned for themselves :)).

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