Forbes published its annual list of the richest celebrities in 2017. One hundred people entered it: from musicians and actors to sports stars and television presenters. Their total income amounted to more than $ 5 billion before taxes for the period from June 2016 to June 2017.
Here's what the top ten financially most successful global stars look like.
10. James LeBron
Revenue for the year - $ 86 million.
In 2016, one of the most popular basketball players of our time signed a three-season contract with Cleveland Cavaliers, which would bring him $ 100 million. Lebron earned another $ 31 million in 2016-17, making him the third highest-paid NBA player in the season after Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. And in the athlete’s piggy bank, there are agreements with Nike, Coca-Cola, Beats by Dr. Dre and Kia Motor. His lifetime deal with Nike will enrich the NBA star for a billion dollars.
9. James Patterson
Received $ 87 million over the past year
The richest writer in America fell in love with readers with a series of detective stories with detective Alex Cross in the role of the main character. Several films were shot from his books (including Kissing Girls, And The Spider Came, with Morgan Freeman). And now, the prolific Patterson, who has created more than 130 works, writes the thriller “The President has disappeared” in collaboration with former US President Bill Clinton.
8. Coldplay Group
Earned $ 88 million
British pop rockers are back in the top 10 richest world stars thanks to the successful Head Full of Dreams tour, which ended in December 2016. They earned about $ 5 million per performance in every city.
This is good news for the charitable sector, as the group donated 10% of their profits for good purposes.
7. Howard Stern
For 2016-2017 earned $ 90 million
The scandalous American radio presenter and the self-proclaimed “king of all media” received the lion's share of their income through a contract with SiriusXM satellite radio, but its future digital businesses, including a mobile application and streaming video, may pay off in the future. In 2006, Stern was already in seventh place in the Forbes ranking, then he entered the top ten most popular celebrities in the world.
6. The Weeknd
Annual Revenue - $ 92 Million
One of the most popular pop singers in the world, whose real name is Abel McKonen Tesfaye, will receive about $ 1.1 million for each performance on his Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour, which began in February 2017 and ends on 14 December 2017 The artist has an advertising agreement with Puma, and his music sounds in an ad for perfumes from Hugo Boss The Scent. Nevertheless, the singer receives most of the income from stream services - a modern source of income for artists and performers.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
Revenue - $ 93 million
The year 2016 was extremely successful for the richest athlete of 2017. He received the title of the best FIFA player in the world for the fourth time, and extended the contract with the club Real Madrid, which will pay him more than 21 million euros (excluding bonuses) for each of the following seasons, until 2021. In addition, Cristiano has signed a lifetime contract with Nike worth over $ 1 billion. He remains the most popular athlete in the world with 275 million followers on social networks. And on June 8, 2017, the famous football player became a father for the second time (from a surrogate mother). He had twins.
4. Drake
Total annual revenue - $ 94 million
Canadian hip hop artist earned most of his dollars during the recently completed Boy Meets World Tour. In addition, he receives checks for advertising products from Apple, Sprite and Nike.
3. Joan Rowling
Earned $ 95 million for the year
The greatest source of income for Rowling, of course, was Harry Potter. Last year, the author gave the franchise a new breath, releasing the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which became a bestseller. In addition, Rowling received income from "Fantastic Beasts and Where They Live" ($ 814 million at the box office with a budget of $ 180 million), as well as from various attractions in Harry Potter Park at Universal Studios.
2. Beyoncé
Annual earnings of $ 105 million
The beautiful and talented singer was able to take second place in the top 10 richest celebrities of 2017 thanks to the Lemonade album and the World Tour concert tour, which raised a quarter of a billion dollars. Now Beyoncé takes a break from touring and is about to give birth to twins.
1. Sean "Diddy" Combs
Annual Income - $ 130 Million
This American rapper, fashion designer and producer has pushed Taylor Swift, the leader of last year’s highest-paid celebrity, off the financial podium. In 2017, Swift got only 49th place. Advertising Ciroc vodka, fees for the last tour and selling a controlling stake in sewing clothing company Sean John for $ 70 million helped to become the richest of the successful Combs.
