We’re in the final quarter of the financial year for businesses around the world, as September means the completion of what is referred to as Q3.
While the last three months (July - September) is a period that takes into account the peak of the summer festival season and the release of new material to build momentum before the end of the year, this final quarter (Q4) is a pivotal moment for the music industry.
It includes the holiday shopping season, regarded as one of the biggest times to drive album sales, merchandise, and licensed music-related gifts as fans look for the perfect presents for loved ones - and one final push before the end of the financial year.
It also means speculation as to who has “made bank,” for lack of a (much) better term, before the annual Forbes and Sunday Times lists are revealed in the new year (usually May in the case of the Sunday Times, and around March and April for Forbes), accounting for who are the richest people in the world. So, from the world of music, who is topping those lists?
We’ve taken a look at both the most recent Sunday Times Rich List and combined that with the current Forbes Real Time Billionaires list to find out who, currently and based on that information, are the richest music industry figures in 2025.
In the case of those that appeared in the Forbes list, we’ve gone to the added measure of converting those figures from USD to GBP at the current exchange rate - so as ever, treat these as an estimate rather than the gospel at this time of the year.
Here are the 13 figures who topped those lists - and their staggering net worth.
5. Sir Elton John - £475m
Sir Elton John's fortune is a direct result of his prolific and hugely successful career as a singer, songwriter, and performer. As one of the best-selling artists of all time, he has sold over 300 million records worldwide, generating a continuous stream of royalties. His income is also bolstered by his record-breaking tours, most recently his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, which was also one of the highest-grossing concert tours in history. | Sharon Lucey
6. Victoria and David Beckham - £500m
While David's career in football and their joint ventures are major income drivers, Victoria Beckham's musical legacy as Posh Spice is a crucial component of the couple's combined wealth. Her fortune from music continues to be substantial, thanks to her time with the Spice Girls, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. The group's catalogue continues to generate significant revenue through royalties and licensing, proving that her pop legacy is still a highly profitable venture and a vital part of the Beckham brand. | Getty Images
7. Rihanna - £780m
Rihanna’s massive fortune showcases the modern pop star's path to riches. While her music career is the foundation of her fame—she has sold over 215 million digital tracks—a significant portion of her wealth comes from business ventures outside of music. The majority of her wealth is attributed to her highly successful beauty and fashion enterprises, such as her Fenty partnership with luxury conglomerate LVMH. | Getty Images
8. Bruce Springsteen - £940m
We're getting into some big figures now, with Bruce Springsteen's monumental wealth a testament to the long-term value of a timeless musical catalogue and a dedication to live performance. His career spans over six decades, and he has a reputation for his marathon, lucrative tours. He cemented his status as a music billionaire by selling his entire catalogue to Sony for over $500 million in 2021. | Getty Images