Paul McCartney has officially reached billionaire status.
According to Forbes, the former Beatle now has a net worth of $1.4 billion, making him the third richest musician in the world.
McCartney’s fortune is made up of his catalogue, music rights, and touring, along with precious art pieces (Picasso, Magritte) and properties in the UK and U.S.
The 84-year-old’s share of The Beatles’ catalogue alone is said to be worth around $350 million. This includes music streams, vinyl sales and Beatles merch, which is estimated at more than $150 million apiece. As well, he also owns a share of the Beatles songwriting copyrights, which is is worth at least $200 million.
His MPL Communications music company is also estimated to be worth hundreds of millions, thanks to owning control of his solo catalogue, the music of Buddy Holly, various classic songs, and music scores such as Grease.
MPL also owns classic Christmas songs like “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire),” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Blue Christmas,” and “It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas.”
The two other musicians ahead of McCartney are Taylor Swift, whose fortune is worth about $2 billion, and Jay-Z, who has a net worth of $2.8 billion.