Sir Paul McCartney has been ranked the world’s third-richest musician, with an estimated fortune of $1.4 billion (£1 billion), built on music ownership as well as performance. Forbes places him behind Jay-Z, worth $2.8 billion (£2 billion), and Taylor Swift, worth $2 billion (£1.4 billion).

The largest share of McCartney’s wealth comes from MPL Communications, the publishing company he launched in 1969. Its holdings extend far beyond his own catalogue, illustrating how acquiring other writers’ work has added to the fortune earned through his recordings and concerts.

MPL owns thousands of songs, including catalogues acquired from artists such as Buddy Holly, Broadway musical scores and Christmas standards including It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas and The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire). Those acquired rights account for nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in the valuation.

His Beatles interests provide two distinct sources of income. McCartney receives 25% of earnings from Apple Corps, the band’s holding company, which generates $50 million (£37 million) annually through streaming, vinyl sales and merchandise. That income stream is valued at more than $150 million (£111 million) for each member or their estate.

Separately, his share of Beatles songwriting copyrights earns $10 million (£7 million) a year and is valued at at least $200 million (£148 million). These figures distinguish annual earnings from the estimated capital value of rights that continue to generate revenue.

Touring also contributes, including Got Back, which ran for 79 shows between 2022 and 2025. The valuation cites legal manoeuvres and includes properties across the UK and the Hamptons, alongside an art collection featuring Picasso and Magritte.

McCartney, 84, rose to fame alongside Ringo Starr and the late John Lennon and George Harrison. The Beatles became the best-selling musical act of all time, achieving 16 UK number-one albums and 18 number-one singles, including Help!, Hey Jude and She Loves You.

After their 1970 split, he released his solo debut, McCartney, and formed Wings with his late wife Linda and former Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine. His awards include an Academy Award, an Emmy and 19 Grammys.

His latest album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, released in May this year, entered the official UK album chart at number one. He also appeared on Saturday Night Live and performed I Want To Hold Your Hand at Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding at Madison Square Garden in July. Yet the wealth estimate rests substantially on ownership: songs he wrote, and songs he bought.