Football is famous for jaw-dropping salaries and mega endorsement deals, but some musicians have taken wealth to another level entirely. While superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar are among the world’s richest athletes, a few artists have out-earned them sometimes by hundreds of millions thanks to music, business, and brand empires.
Jay-Z – $2.6 Billion
Jay-Z is proof that music can be just the beginning. From luxury champagne to tech investments, the rap mogul has built an empire worth over four times Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth (around $600 million). Jay-Z’s wealth comes from diverse ventures including music, liquor brands, fashion, and tech startups. He isn’t just in the music business—he’s in a financial league of his own.
Rihanna – $1.4 Billion
Rihanna went from pop hits to global business dominance. Her Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty lines turned her into a billionaire, with a net worth more than double Lionel Messi’s ($650 million). While music gave her global fame, business transformed her into a financial powerhouse, surpassing both Messi and Neymar combined.
Paul McCartney – $1.2 Billion
Decades after The Beatles, Paul McCartney continues to rake in massive royalties from one of the most valuable music catalogs in history. With an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, he stands far richer than Neymar, whose fortune sits at around $250 million. McCartney is living proof that timeless music often outlasts even the most glittering football contracts.
Taylor Swift – $1.1 Billion
Taylor Swift has rewritten the rules of the music industry—and her bank account. Her record-breaking Eras Tour and re-recordings of her old albums pushed her net worth to billionaire status. At $1.1 billion, she is worth nearly six times more than Kylian Mbappé ($180 million). And with her career still on the rise, Swift’s financial dominance is only beginning.
Dr. Dre – $500–800 Million
Though not quite a billionaire, Dr. Dre’s fortune from music production, his catalog, and the $3 billion sale of Beats to Apple has cemented his place among the wealthiest musicians. With up to $800 million, Dre is wealthier than most top footballers, easily outpacing stars like Mohamed Salah ($90 million) and Kevin De Bruyne ($70 million).
👉 Takeaway: Football might make instant millionaires, but musicians who combine their art with sharp business moves can build fortunes that rival and even surpass the world’s greatest players.