Beyoncé And Jay Z Are The World’s Highest-Paid Celebrity Couple Of 2016
Ever since Beyoncé and Jay Z began dating over a decade ago, all sorts of rumors have surrounded their relationship. But one speculation that has not reached the tabloids is that either party said “I do” for the money.
Queen Bey has her kingdom, and Jay Z has his empire; together, they ranked first on our highest-earning celebrity couples list in 2013. And now, in 2016, they are again the year’s highest-paid celebrity couple, raking in a regal $107.5 million over the past year.
The sultry songstress pulled in $54 million, good enough to claim the No. 34 spot on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list—the annual ranking of the world’s top-earning superstars. Jay Z finished a smidgeon behind, taking the No. 36 slot with a $53.5 million tally.
Both got a boost from Beyoncé’s sixth No. 1 album, Lemonade, which debuted exclusively on Jay Z’s Tidal streaming service (his wife and several other Celebrity 100 members are co-owners). But Beyoncé edged her husband in annual earnings by playing 19 shows during Forbes’ June-to-June scoring period, easily topping Jay Z’s grand total of two.
“I’ve never met anyone that works harder than me in my industry,” the songstress once told FORBES.
Though Jay Z didn’t tour over the past year, he was plenty busy behind the scenes with other projects. He continues to make millions on his Armand de Brignac champagne, D’Ussé cognac and entertainment company Roc Nation. The multifaceted organization includes a record label, artist management and a sports agency that represents the likes of Kevin Durant and Robinson Cano.
Jay Z didn’t release an album during the scoring period, either. In fact, he hasn’t put out a solo record in three years. That’s by design, if his words in the past are to be believed.
“There was a time in music where a hit solved everything,” he explained to Steve Forbes in 2010. “That’s no longer true. I think the music business is still stuck in that place because we haven’t figured it out. One of the biggest things in business is to open yourself up for change.”
What about last year’s top-earning couple—Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris? They would have kept their crown, each pulling in more than Bey and Jay Z, but they parted ways before this year’s list launched.
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19 Comments
Mandy
July 12, 06:29The king and queen of Hollywood and its entire province prove once again that two heads are better than one. 😀
Sasha
July 12, 06:36We don’t care.
Mandy
July 12, 07:25You sure? Becos usually, people who don’t care usually just waka pass and do not waste data telling us they don’t care.
Dennis Macaulay
July 12, 07:07Why is this a post here?
Pink Panther
July 12, 07:27Becos Bey runs the world.
Dennis Macaulay
July 12, 07:49Mstchew
Orlando
July 12, 07:32ouch!
Kenny
July 12, 08:01???
Peak
July 12, 08:47So basic swift and come-up Harris had to break up for the (supposed) King and King to reign supreme? Ok, I get it now.
Jay is forever King in my books. I was hoping Bey would make more than 54M though. The formation tour has been bringing in money by the mother load, lemonade is a success, she has some lucrative endorsements here and there, so I expected a higher figure.
Pink Panther
July 12, 08:57Frankly me too. 54mil and Taylor Swift out-earned her? It boggles my mind, this.
Michaels
July 12, 22:00The income is from June last year to this year. Beyonce just started her tour few months ago.
Delle
July 12, 10:39I still feel they’re together for the money. Shouldn’t they be apart now after the descriptive lyrics of their ‘troubles’ in her Sorry single?
PP and Beyonce…cojoined fraternal twins!
Uziel
July 12, 15:14I remember when some people here were arguing about Beyonce being Queen. Haff you people seen that Taylor out earned her?
Yes, Beyonce is a hardworking artiste. But Taylor has done more than she has done in the past two years. 1984 people? Sigh.
Saude
July 12, 15:53So she is no more Queen cos taytay out earned her??
And what exactly has Taylor done please?
oys
July 12, 18:52abeg help me ask o…Taylor my ass
Brian Collins
July 12, 19:15I too would like to know. Mtcheeew
Uziel
July 13, 07:20Sigh. Defensive much?
charloxy
July 12, 20:56Am a proud Beyhive
KingBey
July 14, 18:24The pop Queen and the Rap King. Respect ??????