Paul McCartney becomes UK's first billionaire musician

STORY: :: Sir Paul McCartney becomes Britain's first billionaire

musician, according to the Sunday Times Rich List

:: File

:: His new status is being credited to recent

tours and a Beatles cover by Beyonce

According to the annual Sunday Times Rich List, a ''boost from Beyoncé and consistent tours'' have helped the 81-year-old McCartney reach billionaire status.

Earlier this year, Beyonce released a version of The Beatles song ''Blackbird,'' which McCartney called ''magnificent''. The track is on her latest album ''Cowboy Carter'' - which debuted at number one on the U.S. weekly Billboard 200 chart.

The Beatles returned to the top of the UK music charts with the single "Now And Then", which was developed using artificial intelligence.

McCartney has also been on the road with his ''Got Back Tour.''

He has more music planned for later this year, with the release of a revived live studio album he made in the 1970s with the band Wings.