They're amongst the most recognisable people in the world - with millions of fans just waiting for their next album or tour.
And the biggest names in the pop music industry can earn millions of dollars from streaming revenue and selling vast numbers of vinyl, compact discs, and cassettes (yes, they're on their way back too!).
Combine that with cash-harvesting tours (helped by dynamic pricing, golden circles and VIP tickets naturally), advertising and sponsorship deals, and shrewd investments, and these musical icons can become fabulously wealthy - especially if they also write their own material and own the publishing rights to their music.
Here are the 12 richest pop stars in the world in 2026, according to CelebrityNetWorth.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
5. Madonna - $850 million
Since scoring her first hit single with Holiday in 1983 Madonna has rarely been out of the charts. It's helped the queen of pop amass aproximately $850 million. She may still make it to that round $1 billion. | Getty Images
6. Celine Dion - $800 million
Dubbed the 'Queen of Power Ballads' Canadian singer Celine Dion has tragically been forced to stop performing after being diagnosed with rare medical condition Stiff Person Syndrome - although she did appear at the opening of the Paris Olympics in 2024. Her multi award-winning career has earned her approximately $800 million to date. | Screengrab by IOC via Getty Imag
7. Dolly Parton - $650 million
She famously once joked that "it cost me a lot of money to look this cheap", but country legend Dolly Parton can look as cheap as she likes with an estimated fortune of $650 million. | Getty Images
8. Julio Iglesias - $600 million
In what may be a surprise to some, Spain's Julio Iglesias is the welathiest male pop singer of all time. He's sold more than 300 million albums over the years, which explains his earnings of around $600 million. | Getty Images