Paul McCartney Becomes First U.K. Billionaire Musician on Famous Rich List: Who Else Made It?

Lily Ford
·3 min read
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Paul McCartney is the first U.K. musician to become a billionaire, it has been revealed, as the Sunday Times unveiled all the famous faces on its wealth-tracking Rich List for 2024.

The top 350 are not just your typical hedge fund owners and oil moguls — the list includes the King, the British Prime Minister and even a Catholic priest. But entertainment has its place on the Rich List. Here are some of the biggest names you might recognize.

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None other than Salma Hayek is the most significant name in showbiz near the top of the list. She and her billionaire businessman husband François-Henri Pinault came in at an eye-watering 31st with 6.147 billion pounds in fashion and film. (Pinault is CEO of Kering, a luxury goods corporation that owns brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Alexander McQueen.)

Sir Paul (of Beatles fame) and his wife Nancy clocked in at 165th for their 1 billion pound ($1.27 billion) wealth, with Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling swiftly following 10 places later. The author — who in recent years has sparked outrage with her critical stance on the rights and livelihoods of transgender people — has a bounty worth 945 million pounds ($1.20 billion) thanks to the ever-popular wizarding world.

Elton John’s 470 million pound ($595 million) wealth gave him the 291st spot on the list, and just after, Posh & Becks themselves were at 297. David and Victoria Beckham have accrued 455 million pounds ($575 million) for their ventures in both the sporting and fashion worlds.

Victoria and David Beckham.
Victoria and David Beckham made the cut with a wealth of 455 million pounds.

Music magnate Simon Cowell, X-Factor and America’s Got Talent genius, came in at 315th, with his 415 million pounds ($525 million). The Rolling Stones‘ Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards also came in at 315th with the exact same number.

Formula One legend Sir Lewis Hamilton, at just 39 years old, snuck into the very last spot on the top 350 with 350 million pounds ($443 million), thanks to his long-established and wildly successful career in motorsport. The Briton is also known for his top-notch style — he was Tommy Hilfiger’s first-ever ambassador for menswear and regularly sports (pun intended) the likes of Versace, Burberry and Valentino on race weekends.

But it doesn’t stop there. The Sunday Times also provides a “40 under 40” Rich List, which names Harry Potter duo Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe. The latter ties with pop queen Dua Lipa with 90 million pounds. Superstar singer Adele came in 19th there with 170 million pounds racked up, and Harry Styles in 17th place, with a wealth of 175 million pounds.

Ed Sheeran, thanks to a multitude of hits throughout his mathematical-theme albums (+, x, ÷, =), hit the ninth place and nearly crept into the top 350 having amassed 340 million pounds ($430 million).

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