Beyonce highest-paid woman in music in 2014 with US$115 million: Forbes

Beyonce is the highest-paid woman in music in 2014, with estimated earnings of US$115 million (S$148 million), says Forbes magazine. -- PHOTO: BEYONCE
Beyonce is the highest-paid woman in music in 2014, with estimated earnings of US$115 million (S$148 million), says Forbes magazine. -- PHOTO: BEYONCE
Beyonce (centre) performs onstage during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, California on Aug 24, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Beyonce poses backstage with three of her four awards during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in Inglewood, California on Aug 24, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Rapper Jay Z and Beyonce with daughter Blue Ivy Carter onstage during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, California on Aug 24, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Beyonce performs during the half-time show of the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb 3, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Beyonce performs Drunk In Love at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California in this file photo taken Jan 26, 2014. Beyonce is the highest-paid woman in music, with estimated earnings of US$115 million, more than double what she pulled in last year, Forbes magazine said on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

NEW YORK (REUTERS) - Beyonce is the highest-paid woman in music in 2014, with estimated earnings of US$115 million (S$148 million), more than double what she pulled in last year, Forbes magazine said on Tuesday.

The huge sum, most of which was from her world tour, propelled Beyonce, 33, from fourth place last year and put her firmly ahead of pop star Taylor Swift, 24, with US$64 million, who jumped up one spot from last year to No. 2.

Pop singer Pink, 35, climbed up from No. 8 in 2013 to third with US$52 million.

"Beyonce played 95 shows during our scoring period, bringing in an average of US$2.4 million per city," said Forbes, citing data from the Pollstar trade magazine.

The R&B singer's self-titled album released last December and endorsement deals pushed her earnings up further assuring her the top spot.

Barbados-born Rihanna, 26, with US$48 million and Katy Perry, 30, who earned an estimated US$40 million, rounded out the top five on the annual list.

Madonna, 56, ranked No. 1 last year, failed to make the top 10 in 2014.

Lady Gaga, 28, slumped from No. 2 in 2013 to ninth place this year with estimated earnings of US$33 million.

Forbes compiled the list after estimating pre-tax income calculated for the 12 months from June 2013 to 2014 based on record sales, concert tickets, touring information merchandise sales and interviews with concert promoters, lawyers and managers.

It also looked at data from the Pollstar, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and tracking firm Nielsen SoundScan.

The full list can be found at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2014/11/04/the-top-ear…

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