Paul McCartney Becomes the U.K.'s First Billionaire Musician on Annual Rich List

The Times' annual rich list ranked the Beatles legend among other top celebrity earners like Sir Elton John, Salma Hayek, and David and Victoria Beckham

The price just went up on Paul McCartney’s net worth!

The 81-year-old The Beatles legend and his wife, Nancy, appeared on The Times’ annual Rich List on Friday, May 17, ranking at No. 165 among the top 350 individuals and families featured. Last year, the "My Love" singer landed on the list at No. 175.

According to the publication, McCartney’s new milestone also makes him the first U.K. musician to reach billionaire status, raising his wealth by 50 million pounds thanks to the climbing value of his back catalog, his 2023 Got Back tour, and Beyoncé’s recent cover of the Beatles’ “Blackbird” on her Cowboy Carter album.

The music icon praised the 32-time Grammy-winning superstar’s “magnificent” rendition of his group's 1968 classic a week after her country album dropped on March 29. He wrote on Instagram, “I am so happy with @beyonce’s version of my song ‘Blackbird’. I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place.”

Related: Ringo Starr Says The Beatles Would Have Made Less Albums Had It Not Been for 'Workaholic' Paul McCartney

Joining McCartney on The Times’ list are well-known figures like King Charles, Sir Elton John, Salma Hayek, David and Victoria Beckham, and Simon Cowell. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling also appears.

News of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's increased fortune comes shortly after Disney+ added director Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s Beatles film Let It Be —which was shot during the creation of the iconic group’s memorable 1970 album — to the streaming service on May 8. The movie, now available for viewing for the first time in 50 years, features McCartney alongside former band members Ringo Starr, the late John Lennon, and George Harrison.

Late last year, the Egypt Station artist wrapped up the last leg of his Get Back tour, which originally kicked off on April 28, 2022, in Spokane, Wash. That November, he also released a "final" Beatles song with Starr, 83, titled "Now and Then," which was written and recorded by Lennon in 1977. According to The Times, the track topped charts in the U.K., Germany, Austria, and the U.S.

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