Taylor Swift’s meteoric rise on Forbes’ Most Powerful Women list reflects her dynamic influence in various spheres. Positioned at number five, Swift stands as the highest-ranking musician, surpassing not only her industry peers but also making history as the first artist to achieve this ranking solely based on her musical contributions.
Forbes attributes Swift’s notable position to her recently acquired billionaire status, estimating her net worth at a staggering $1.1 billion. The breakdown includes $500 million from royalties and touring, another $500 million from her music catalog, and an additional $125 million in real estate. Swift’s Taylor’s Version rerecords and the immensely successful Eras Tour further contribute to her undeniable influence.
The top four positions on the list are held by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, United States Vice President Kamala Harris, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, respectively.
Beyoncé, ranked at No. 36, demonstrated a significant jump of 44 spots from the previous year. Forbes acknowledges her historic Grammy wins, record-breaking achievements at the Recording Academy, the success of her Renaissance Tour, and collaborations with Balmain as key contributors to her elevated position.
Rihanna, securing the 74th spot, boasts a remarkable net worth of $1.4 billion, surpassing both Swift and Beyoncé in financial standing. Forbes applauds her highly successful ventures with Fenty Beauty and Savage x Fenty, alongside her memorable Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.
Earlier this year, all three powerhouses were featured in Forbes’ list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women, with Rihanna at No. 20, Taylor Swift at No. 34, and Beyoncé at No. 48.
Forbes emphasizes that the Power List rankings are determined by evaluating four key metrics: money, media, impact, and spheres of influence. The list showcases 100 women shaping policies, products, and political landscapes globally.