The 20 Richest Songwriters of All Time

Songwriting is a skill that has helped to keep the world entertained and inspired. Not all songwriters ever experience the gratification of hearing their songs on the radio, but some seem to have multiple new hits reaching top spots on the charts each year.

It’s a tough business that can be hard to break into for most. There are a few songwriters who have become iconic figures in music. Have you ever wondered who is the highest-paid? We looked into the topic and discovered that there are some very wealthy songwriters in the world. Here are the top 20 richest songwriters of all time.

20. Tim Rice Net worth: $200 million

Tim Rice is the 20th richest songwriter in the world today. He gained recognition with the music he wrote for “The Lion King.” The soundtrack became a big seller that gave his pocketbook a huge boost. He’s also written many other songs that became famous in Disney movies including “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin.”

19. Pete Townshend Net worth: $215 million

Pete Townshend was a prolific songwriter and member of the rock band The Who. He has written some of the group’s biggest selling hits. He has earned his tremendous wealth through a combination of songwriting, concerts, and record sales. The thing about writing music that keeps selling is that there is a continual stream of royalty checks flowing in, even when you’re not out on the road performing.

18. Herb Alpert Net worth: $250 million

Herb Alpert spent his life in the music industry as the owner of a band and a record label. Herb Alpert is known for his performance with Herb Alpert and Tijuana Brass, which was one of the most iconic brands in America. He had his heyday during the 1960s era.

He is credited for writing much of the music that the band performed. He gained a lot of recognition and became incredibly wealthy in the process. Herb Alpert’s songs have gone down in the history of music and he will forever be associated with the 1960s era in music as one of the most beloved and great in the industry.

17. Mick Jagger Net worth: $300 million

Mick Jagger is another name that most of us can relate to. Jagger is best known for his performances as the lead singer for the rock band The Rolling Stones. He became a legend as a rock star.

Some fans don’t know it, but Mick Jagger has written and sung a lot of his songs. He won a Golden Globe Award for his song “Old Habits Die Hard.” The song was used in the 2004 movie “Alfie.” The tune also won “Best Original Song.” He has dozens of songs to his credit and many of them are still popular today.

16. Michael Jackson Estate Net Worth: $350 million

Before the world lost Michael Jackson, he became one of the richest songwriters on the planet. Even though he passed away, we can never forget his significant contributions to the music industry. he was a prolific songwriter who not only sang and performed on the stage but also wrote many of the songs that became iconic.

A few examples of his songwriting prowess include “We are the World,” “Beat It,” and “Billie Jean.” He continued writing and performing his music until he passed away at the age of 50.

15. Sting Net Worth: $395 million

Sting started his career with a small band that was called The Police. He became popular during the time that he was with the band, not only for his singing but also for his songwriting abilities. He wrote many of the songs that The Police performed, but he decided to leave the band and go off on his own to pursue a solo career.

This was a good career move for him. He continued writing many of the songs he performed and Sting became an iconic figure in the music world on an international level. He continues to receive royalties for the many songs that he has written. He now spends much of his time working to help others through charities.

14. George Harrison Net Worth: $400 million

George Harrison rose to the pinnacle of fame and fortune as a member of the most popular rock band in the world, the Beatles. Harrison didn’t have an easy time of things, however. Although he enjoyed a long career in the music industry, he suffered from paranoia after the death of former bandmate John Lennon. It turned him into a reclusive fellow.

He had to have cancerous tumors removed, and he was also stabbed. He wrote or co-wrote many of the songs that were performed by the Beatles and amassed a fortune with a net worth of $400 million before his death. He achieved the status of becoming one of the wealthiest songwriters of all time.

13. Jimmy Buffet Net Worth: $400 million

Singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffet earned a net worth that was equal to George Harrison. He became well known for his summertime beach songs and laid-back, comfortable approach to music. Much of the music that Jimmy Buffet performs is what he has written on his own. He is most famous for his big hit “Margaritaville,” which is one of the most popular feel-good songs in the world.

Another popular hit was “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” His music makes people think about enjoying a tropical cocktail on a warm sunny beach on vacation and it’s made him one of the most iconic, as well as wealthiest songwriters of all time.

12. Jon Bon Jovi Net Worth: $410 million

Jon Bon Jovi became famous as a member of the band Bon Jovi in 1983. Since that time the group went on to become one of the most iconic rock groups in popular culture. Bon Jovi also went off on his own, releasing 2 solo albums and additional studio albums with the group.

With more than a hundred and thirty million copies sold, he became very rich because Jon has written many of the songs performed by the group and in his solo career. Bon Jovi also became an actor, appearing in many different movie roles throughout the 1990s era, including “U-571,” “Moonlight,” and “Valentino.” He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009.

11. Dolly Parton Net Worth: $450 million

Singer and songwriter Dolly Parton is one of the biggest names in the country music industry. She started as a guest singer on the musical television show “Porter Wagoner.” She is a talented singer and she has written some big hits such as “I Will Always Love You,” that she made famous.

This is a song that the late Whitney Houston resurrected decades later, taking to number one on the charts. The song was also featured in the hit film “The Bodyguard.” Ms. Parton has become one of the richest songwriters in the world today.

10. Elton John Net Worth: $500 million

Elton John is one of the most famous British singers, songwriters, and pianists on the planet. He has written songs for many hit Disney films such as “The Lion King, “Billy Elliot the Musical,” “Aida,” and many more.

He made his debut in the music industry in 1969 with the release of the album “Empty Sky.” His hit single “Your Song” rose to the top ten charts and from that point forward, he became a legend in the music industry. He is credited with over 50 top 40 hit songs including his dedication to Princess Diana’s memorial”Candle in the Wind” in 1997. His music is still popular and he continues to receive royalties from sales.

9. Mariah Carey Net Worth: $510 million

According to The Herald Weekly, singer, performer, and songwriter Mariah Carey has a net worth of a whopping $510 million. Carey became famous in the music industry because of her strong and beautiful voice. She is not only a singing diva, but she is also an extremely talented songwriter. She is had more singles that rose to number one than any other artist on the planet. Some of her most famous songs include “One Sweet Day” and “Hero,” which she wrote and also performed.

8. Madonna Net Worth: $590 million

According to River 967, Madonna is the 8th richest songwriter of all time. When she first moved to New York, it wasn’t to write songs or become a singer. Her goal was to become a dancer. When her singing talents, performing on the stage and writing songs were discovered, it made her incredibly wealthy. She is now one of the richest songwriters in the world.

7. Bono Net Worth: $700 million

Bono became famous as a member of the group U2. The rock band was formed when they all answered an ad in the newspaper. Bono became the frontman and lead singer for the group, but he is also the talent behind many of their hit songs.

He wrote “Staring at the Sun,” “All I Want Is You,” and many of the dozens of songs that the group has taken high in the charts. Many fans don’t realize that Bono has written many of the songs that U2 performed.

6. Dr. Dre Net Worth: $770 million

Dr. Dre occupies a sixth place as one of the richest songwriters in the world. He didn’t start as a solo artist though. His first job in the music industry was as a DJ. He became successful in this endeavor, then as a producer. Finally, he turned solo artist, writing his material, and became more popular than ever.

5. John Lennon Net Worth of estate: $800 million

The late John Lennon was one of the richest songwriters in the world. He earned fame and wealth as a member of the musical group, the Beatles from the late 1960s and 1970s eras. The group recorded multiple songs written by John or co-written by him. He also embarked on a solo career until he was tragically killed by a maniacal gunman.

4. Sean Combs Net Worth: $825 million

Sean Combs is the birth name of the artist who goes by a variety of different stage names including Diddy, Puff, P. Diddy, and Puff Daddy. Although the name has changed over the years, his fame and fortunes have only increased.

He became a legend when he wrote the song “Summertime” for Beyonce. He is also credited with writing “Hypnotize” for the late Notorious BIG. He’s a prolific songwriter who has a tremendously huge estate of $825 million.

3. Jay-Z Net Worth $900 million

Jay-Z is just a stone’s throw from becoming a billionaire. Many of his fans refer to him as Mr. Beyonce. He started his career selling record albums out of his car. It was an honest living, but he also had other talents. he is a rapper, songwriter, and talented businessman who is the husband of superstar singer Beyonce. He has written many of her songs including “Deja Vu,” “Crazy in Love,” and others. He has also written songs for Kanye West, and Maria Carey.

2. Paul McCartney Net Worth: $1.2 billion

Paul McCartney was an original member of the iconic rock and roll group, the Beatles. after the group disbanded McCartney went on to continue with a very successful solo career. He wrote many of the songs the Beatles performed as well as his songs for his solo career. He is the second richest songwriter in the world today.

1. Andrew Lloyd Weber Net Worth: $1.2 billion

Tied for first place with Paul McCartney is Andrew Lloyd Weber. Weber began his career at the tender young get of just 17. He is one of the few songwriters who has won all four awards for his songwriting which include an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Tony. He is arguably the most successful songwriter of all time, credited with “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and many others.

You can also read:

• The 20 Richest Guitarists in The World
• The 20 Richest Musicians in the World
• The 20 Richest Country Singers of All-Time