Paul McCartney, 84, has been ranked as the third richest musician in the world. Once embroiled in legal disputes over the rights to his own songs, he has built a fortune exceeding $1 trillion through decades of accumulating music intellectual property.
According to Forbes, McCartney's net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion, placing him behind Jay-Z ($2.8 billion) and Taylor Swift ($2 billion) among musicians.
During his time with The Beatles, McCartney did not earn a fortune commensurate with his fame. The band reportedly received less than one penny per album from their early recording contracts.
The publishing rights to songs written by The Beatles were managed by music publisher Dick James and others. In a 2017 article for Forbes, McCartney likened the contract to a form of slavery, recalling that no matter how successful the company became, their share never increased.
This experience motivated him to enter the music copyright business. In 1969, McCartney founded MPL Communications, where he began securing rights not only for his own works but also for those of other musicians.
Forbes estimates the value of MPL Communications at a minimum of $250 million. The company holds rights to music by Buddy Holly, as well as the musicals 'Grease,' 'Annie,' and various Christmas classics.
Revenue is generated whenever songs not sung by McCartney are played or related musicals are performed.
The Beatles' music continues to be a steady source of income. Apple Corps, which manages Beatles-related businesses, is estimated to generate over $50 million annually through streaming, album sales, and merchandise.
McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison each hold a 25% stake in the corporation. Forbes values each stake at over $150 million.
Additionally, McCartney is estimated to earn at least $10 million annually from the copyrights of the Beatles songs he composed, with the value of those rights assessed at a minimum of $200 million.
Concert revenues have also contributed to his wealth. McCartney performed 79 shows during the 'Got Back' tour from 2022 to 2025. His assets also include real estate in the UK and the US, as well as an art collection featuring works by Picasso and Magritte.
In 2024, McCartney was recognized as the first billionaire musician in the UK based on combined wealth with his wife, Nancy Shevell. This Forbes assessment reflects McCartney's individual net worth.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.