Madonna has taken her global superstardom to a new level and topped the Billboard chart's highest earning musicians of 2012 list. The Express Yourself hitmaker has topped the chart for the second time in five years. Her most recent tour, named MDNA, took the box office by storm as the 88 date world tour saw the singer take home staggering profits of £26.1 million.
The 54-year-old was closely followed by Bruce Springsteen. Nicknamed The Boss, the star earned £25.3 million from his sell-out tour on the back of his number one album Wrecking Ball.
Flying the flag for Britain, Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters ranked third place, securing £16 million in profits the Wall Live Tour. As seen by those who have topped the charts this year, tours are the biggest earners for musicians, generally accounting for 68.9% of their income. Acts from the United States dominated the top ten, with the likes of Van Halen, Tim McGraw and Renee Zellwegger's former flame Kenny Chesney securing fourth place, seventh place and fifth place respectively. Canadian teen sensation Justin Bieber also scored well in the rankings, securing the tenth spot in the list when he earned £12.1 million last year, which is attributed to the success of his Believe tour. Brit award winners Coldplay celebrated prime position in the charts, however. Chris Martin and his cohorts also secured a top ten spot in the rich list, ranking ninth with an estimated wealth of £11.4 million.
Although she had a sedate year, Skyfall songstress Adele had the biggest-selling hit in the US Billboard chart with her second album 21 for the second year running, putting her in eleventh place with a £10.6 million fortune. It may come as a surprise that Britain’s latest export, One Direction, did not make the chart. However, the foursome are sitting nicely in Heat's list of the thirty richest stars under 30 with millions to their name.
