Paul McCartney’s net worth reaches $1.4 billion, ranking him third among musicians

Forbes’ latest wealth analysis places Paul McCartney’s net worth at $1.4 billion (£1.04 billion), making him the world’s third‑richest musician after Jay‑Z and Taylor Swift. The calculation draws on McCartney’s extensive music‑publishing holdings, live‑performance earnings and ancillary assets, according to the financial magazine’s report published on 9 November 2026.

The bulk of McCartney’s wealth is attributed to MPL Communications, the publishing company he founded in 1969. MPL controls the rights to McCartney’s own catalogue as well as those of other artists, including Buddy Holly, and a range of Broadway scores and holiday standards. Forbes estimates that these publishing assets contribute roughly a quarter of a billion dollars to his total fortune, generating ongoing royalties whenever the songs are streamed, performed or licensed.

In addition to publishing income, McCartney continues to receive a 25 percent share of earnings from Apple Corps, the Beatles’ holding company, which reportedly yields about $50 million (£37.2 million) each year from streaming, vinyl sales and merchandise. The former Beatle also earns an estimated $10 million (£7.4 million) annually from songwriting royalties linked to the Beatles’ catalogue, a figure that includes the value of the underlying copyrights, which Forbes values at $200 million (£148.8 million).

Touring revenue adds another significant stream. Between 2022 and 2025 McCartney performed 79 shows on his “Got Back” tour, a schedule that contributed to the overall valuation. The analysis also incorporates the value of McCartney’s global real‑estate holdings and his art collection, which includes works by René Magritte and Pablo Picasso.

Beyond financial metrics, McCartney remains active in music. He released the album “The Boys of Dungeon Lane” in May 2026, appeared on a season‑finale episode of “Saturday Night Live,” and performed at a high‑profile wedding in July 2026. A documentary titled “Man on the Run,” directed by Morgan Neville, also highlighted his post‑Beatles life earlier this year.