Paul McCartney is worth $1.4 billion. His biggest asset is a $250 million song publisher

Paul McCartney, aged 84, boasts a fortune of at least $1.4 billion, making him the third wealthiest musician globally, behind Jay-Z and Taylor Swift. The bulk of his wealth stems from MPL Communications, a music publishing firm valued at $250 million or more, which owns rights to countless songs written by various artists. This stands in stark contrast to the norm in the industry, where many artists sell off their catalogs.

For years, McCartney amassed song catalogs and fought to retain ownership. His 2024 ranking as Britain’s first billionaire musician, alongside his wife Nancy's £1 billion fortune, solidified this status. The Beatles achieved such monumental success that their original publishing contract proved detrimental, limiting their earnings.

In 2017, McCartney criticized it as a "slave contract," as he couldn't benefit from the company's growth. After John Lennon's death, McCartney had the chance to repurchase the Beatles' songs. However, negotiations fell apart when Sir Lew Grade, the owner of Northern Songs, demanded $20 million. Michael Jackson acquired the catalog in 1985 for $47.5 million, following McCartney's encouragement.

Beatles' songwriting royalties still bring in over $50 million annually for McCartney through Apple Corps. McCartney's revenue streams also include touring, real estate investments, and an art collection featuring works by Picasso and Magritte.