According to a cover story in the July 15 issue of Forbes Magazine, Toby Keith is the wealthiest country singer working today. He’s also one of the “world’s most powerful celebrities,” based on an annual list by Forbes that ranks folks based on factors including earned income, media visibility and marketability.
Oprah Winfrey topped this year’s Celebrity 100. The top ten also included Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Madonna and Taylor Swift. Keith landed at No. 43.
When it comes to money, though, Keith ranks much higher. Forbes lists his total earnings upwards of an astounding $500 million, and his annual income for the past 12 months at $65 million. So while he may be close to the halfway point on the Celebrity 100 (below Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Dr. Phil and Adam Sandler), in terms of annual income alone he’s at No. 19.
Our #Celeb100 cover story: Toby Keith, Cowboy Capitalist: Country’s $500 Million Man http://t.co/X95oTvaG6p pic.twitter.com/8fvMhzvFu1
— Forbes (@Forbes) June 26, 2013
And among country artists, he’s on top. Swift, by contrast, pulls in ‘only’ $55 million a year; Kenny Chesney $53 million; and Carrie Underwood $31 million.
As the Forbes profile describes him, Keith is “the most vertically integrated performer in the music business.”
Read more about Toby Keith on Radio.com
