Paul McCartney Valued at $1.4 Billion, Third-Richest Musician

Paul McCartney has been valued at $1.4 billion, making him the world’s third-richest musician. Taylor Swift, whose fortune is $2 billion, and Jay-Z, whose is $2.8 billion, rank ahead of him. The estimate draws on income from his music catalog, touring, property and art collection.

A major source of McCartney’s wealth is MLP Communications, the publishing company he established in 1969. Its holdings include his own catalog and copyrights by other artists. Acquisitions such as Buddy Holly’s catalog, Broadway scores and Christmas songs are valued together at nearly a quarter of a billion dollars.

McCartney also receives a share of Apple Corps, the Beatles’ holding company. Its streaming, vinyl and merchandise business generates about $50 million a year, while the value of each member’s share, or that of their estate, is estimated above $150 million. Beatles songwriting copyrights bring McCartney at least $10 million annually, following a lengthy legal fight over ownership.

His wealth has also been bolstered by international tours, including the 79-show Got Back run from 2022 to 2025, along with real estate and artworks by artists including Magritte and Picasso. McCartney continues to release music; his latest solo album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, came out in May. A documentary directed by Morgan Neville focuses on his life after leaving the Beatles and forming Wings.