Mary McCartney/MPL Communications
Mary McCartney/MPL CommunicationsPaul McCartney has been ranked the wealthiest musician in the U.K. for many years, but the former Beatles star has now been replaced at the top of that tally by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, according to The Sunday Times‘ 2019 Rich List.
McCartney now is the second richest British musician, with an estimated worth of $974 million, down from $1.1 billion in 2018. That figure includes the fortune of his wife, American trucking heiress Nancy Shevell, which took a hit this year because Shevell’s family company declared bankruptcy.
Webber, meanwhile, has amassed nearly $1.1 billion. Following McCartney in third place is U2, whose members have a collective worth of $759 million. Elton John is fourth on the tally, with $417 million.
Most of the rest of the top 10 spots on this year’s Rich List are taken by other famous veteran rock artists. At #5 and #6 are Rolling Stones band mates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, whose respective fortunes are valued at $358 million and $338 million.
At #7 are late Beatles guitarist George Harrison‘s widow and son, Olivia and Dhani Harrison, with $325 million.
Ex-Fab Four drummer Ringo Starr follows at #8 with $312 million. Former Police frontman Sting rounds out the top 10 with a $260 million fortune; he finished just behind Riverdance star Michael Flatley, who’s worth $265 million.
Farther down on the tally, but making big strides up the list, are the members of Queen, thanks to the success of their Oscar-winning biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.
The surviving members’ net worths have each increased by about $33 million, while Mary Austin, late frontman Freddie Mercury‘s one-time girlfriend, now ranks #35 because the singer left her 75 percent of his royalties.
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