Entertainment

Taylor Swift named world's highest earning celebrity by Forbes with a $226 million payday

If singer Taylor Swift's world paparazzi tour with new boyfriend Tom Hiddleston in tow wasn't enough to make you jealous then spare a thought for her pay packet.

The 26-year-old singer brought home $US170 million, or around $226 million, in the last year. As a result, Swift, who lives in New York's fashionable Tribeca neighbourhood, has been named as the year's top earning celebrity by the business magazine Forbes. Swift's big earning year includes revenue from a world tour and lucrative endorsements for brands such as Diet Coke and Apple.

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Taylor Swift tops wealth list

According to Forbes, Taylor Swift is the world's top-earning celebrity of the past twelve months, pocketing $226 million.

She is presently in Australia, while Hiddleston works on the latest Thor movie. The couple's high-profile courtship has earned them the "ship" (relationship) nickname "Hiddleswift" and an almost unprecedented amount of media attention.

Swift's income in the last year was more than double her preceding year's earnings of $US80 million, or $106 million.

Taylor Swift has shot to the top of the annual Forbes list.
Taylor Swift has shot to the top of the annual Forbes list. Photo: Getty Images

Last year's highest paid musician was Katy Perry with $US135 million; but Perry did not top the list, falling well behind boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned US$300 million ($398 million).

In a curious footnote, Swift also earned more than her ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris, who earned US$63 million (or around $84 million) and came in at 21st place on the Forbes list. Had they remained together, the magazine noted, they would have claimed first place in the top earning celebrity list. That honour presently belongs to Beyonce and Jay Z, whose combined income is just $US107 million ($142 million).

Hiddleswift, in one of their many public displays of affection.
Hiddleswift, in one of their many public displays of affection. Photo: britmaack/Instagram

This year's second placed earners were the boyband One Direction, with an income of $US110 million ($146 million), Forbes said. Other notable placements include media magnate Howard Stern in seventh place with $US85 million ($113 million), Adele in ninth place with $US80.5 million ($107 million), Madonna in 12th place with $US76.5 ($102 million) million and Rihanna in 13th place with $US75 million ($100 million).

Last year's highest paid musician Katy Perry slipped this year to 63rd place, with just $US41 million ($54 million).

Katy Perry, pictured at the Golden Globes, was last year's highest paid musician.
Katy Perry, pictured at the Golden Globes, was last year's highest paid musician. Photo: AP

The magazine will publish the full list of top earning celebrities later today.