Madonna tops Forbes 2013 highest-paid musician list

November 20, 2013 | 09:49

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Business magazine, Forbes, named Madonna the highest-paid musician in the world on Tuesday, estimating her earnings at US$125 million between June 2012 and June 2013.

File photo: Madonna performs at the MDNA North America Tour Opener at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (AFP/Getty Images/Jeff Fusco)

NEW YORK CITY: Business magazine, Forbes, named Madonna the highest-paid musician in the world on Tuesday, estimating her earnings at US$125 million between June 2012 and June 2013.

Revenues from her MDNA concert tour plus sales of Madonna-related products and merchandise put the Material Girl, 55, well ahead of Lady Gaga at US$80 million.

The Mother Monster's income would have been higher had a hip injury not forced her to abandon a global concert tour, Forbes said.

Veteran rocker Bon Jovi placed third at US$79 million, followed by country star Toby Keith (US$25 million) and British band Coldplay (US$64 million).

Forbes based its list, posted on forbes.com, on pre-tax income from ticket sales, royalties, merchandising, endorsements and other ventures.

It doesn't take into account fees for agents, managers and lawyers.

Only living artists can make the list -- otherwise, Forbes said, Michael Jackson would have been number one with a posthumous income of $160 million.

AFP

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