Paul McCartney hits $1.4 billion, but trails Jay-Z's fortune by half

Paul McCartney has reached billionaire status with a $1.4 billion fortune, according to Forbes. A big chunk of the 84-year-old singer's wealth stems from his MLP Communications publishing company that began in 1969. Sir Paul also collects a quarter of all income from the Beatles' Apple Corps holding company.

Forbes estimates that haul accounts for $50 million annually. Fab Four songwriting copyrights add to his massive worth as well. Forbes ranks McCartney as music's third richest performer.

Taylor Swift occupies the number two spot with a value of about $2 billion. McCartney appears behind rapper Jay-Z, who holds twice his fortune. Paul McCartney appeared dismissive in 1964 when a BBC reporter asked what he thought about estimates that The Beatles would be millionaires after the band's first visit to the U.S. McCartney wrote in a 2017 Forbes essay that despite The Beatles' extraordinary success, their early record deal was tantamount to a slave contract that paid practically nothing.

No matter how successful we made the company, we didn't get a raise, he claimed. The Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. McCartney was anointed as a solo performer in 1999.

He and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr are expected to take the stage with guitarist Joe Walsh in Las Vegas on January 29 to perform at a benefit for military veterans, according to the New York Daily News.