Taylor Swift beats Adele and Madonna to be named Forbes' highest-earning female musician

Virgin Radio

2 Nov 2016, 13:41

Taylor Swift is the richest female musician in the world, according to Forbes' list for 2016.

The 26-year-old US pop star has amassed earnings of $170 million (£137.8 million) over the past year, meaning she has earned more than double her nearest competitor Adele, who took home $80.5 million (£65.2 million) to come second on the list.

Swift's takings are mainly due to her World Tour raking in a quarter of a billion dollars, $200 million (£162.5 million) of which was made in the US alone. Adding to her fortune are lucrative endorsement deals with brands such as Diet Coke, Apple and Keds.

Forbes' media and entertainment editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg said: "Taylor has completely overtaken everyone on our list due to the phenomenal success of her World Tour.

"She played nearly twice as many dates as competitors like Adele and Rihanna during our scoring period, and managed to fill stadiums - the largest type of building one can play - throughout lucrative North American markets and beyond."

"Touring is where music's top moneymakers generally score the bulk of their bucks, and Taylor is the prime example."

Here's The full list of top-earning female musicians for 2016, compiled by Forbes.  1. Taylor Swift - $170 million(£137.8 million) 2. Adele - $80.5 million (£65.2 million) 3. Madonna - $76.5 million (£62 million) 4. Rihanna - $75 million (£60.8 million) 5. Beyonce - $54 million (£43.8 million) 6. Katy Perry - $41 million (£33.2 million) 7. Jennifer Lopez - $39.5 million (£32 million) 8. Britney Spears - $30.5 million (£24.7 million) 9. Shania Twain - $27.5 million (£22.3 million) 10. Celine Dion - $27 million (£21.9 million)