Taylor Swift made headlines on Tuesday for being included on the annual Forbes Billionaires List for the first time. Swift joined 13 other celebrities on the list, with a collective estimated net worth of $31 billion. Swift became a billionaire in October, largely due to the success of her record-breaking Eras Tour, which grossed over $1 billion. The tour’s success is unprecedented, with estimates suggesting it brought in $1.04 billion from its first 60 shows alone. Swift has dates scheduled for the tour in Europe and North America through 2024.
Forbes estimated Swift’s net worth to be about $1.1 billion as of Tuesday afternoon. This places her among the ranks of other billionaire musicians such as Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Jimmy Buffet. However, Swift stands out as the first musician to become a billionaire solely based on her songs and performances, without relying on a side-hustle. Forbes broke down her fortune, with approximately $500 million coming from music royalties and touring, another $500 million from the increasing value of her music catalog, and $125 million from real estate investments.
George Lucas, known for directing “Star Wars,” tops the list of wealthiest celebrities on the Forbes Billionaires List. Lucas’ wealth largely stems from his production company Lucasfilm, which he sold to Disney in 2012. Jay-Z and Rihanna are the only other musicians who made it onto the 2024 list. Swift fans can also look forward to her new album, “The Tortured Poets Departments,” set to be released on April 19. The album features 16 songs and one bonus track, with four variations each including a different bonus track.
Swift had a record-breaking year in 2023, with several notable achievements. Alongside becoming a billionaire and launching her hugely successful Eras Tour, Swift was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. She also began a relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and released the “Eras Tour” film, which grossed over $261 million worldwide. In her quest to regain control of her first six albums, Swift released re-records of “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” and “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” This move came after the rights to her music were sold behind her back for $300 million.
Overall, Swift’s accomplishments in 2023 have solidified her as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry and beyond. Her inclusion on the Forbes Billionaires List showcases her financial success and influence. As she continues to release new music and expand her business ventures, fans and critics alike will be watching to see what groundbreaking achievements Taylor Swift will accomplish next.
