London, UK – Paul McCartney, the legendary musician and former member of The Beatles, has officially become Britain’s first billionaire musician. This milestone achievement was highlighted in The Sunday Times’ annual Rich List, attributing McCartney and his wife Nancy Shevell’s combined net worth to be one billion pounds ($1.27 billion). The revenue surge was fueled by McCartney’s successful 2023 Got Back tour and Beyoncé featuring The Beatles’ “Blackbird” on her album “Cowboy Carter.”
McCartney’s prosperous year continued with The Beatles’ release of “Now And Then,” which quickly climbed the music charts in multiple countries, including the U.S. and UK. The Sunday Times credited a significant portion of the couple’s net worth – 50 million pounds – to Nancy Shevell, who comes from a notable family background as the daughter of the late U.S. trucking tycoon Mike Shevell.
Forbes also recognized McCartney’s financial success, listing him among the highest-earning celebrities in the world, tied at 91 with notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Canelo Alvarez, and Damian Lillard. McCartney’s earnings in 2019 alone totaled $37 million, largely driven by the success of his solo shows that grossed over $100 million during that year.
As a key figure in music history, McCartney rose to fame as a member of The Beatles in the 1960s, alongside John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Following the band’s dissolution after eight years, McCartney became the first Beatle to release a solo album, “McCartney,” in 1970, marking the start of his illustrious solo career.
In addition to his musical endeavors, McCartney also founded MPL Communications in 1969, a music publishing company that controls the rights to an extensive catalog of over 25,000 songs. One notable aspect of MPL’s portfolio includes ownership of McCartney’s post-Beatles songs, along with works by iconic artists like Buddy Holly, Fats Waller, and Bessie Smith.
On The Sunday Times’ list of the wealthiest individuals in the UK, McCartney was ranked 165th, with the Hinduja family claiming the number-one spot with an estimated worth of around 37 billion pounds. Other prominent names on the list included Elton John with an estimated worth of 470 million pounds and King Charles with a worth of 610 million pounds, showcasing McCartney’s standing among the UK’s wealthiest individuals.