Forbes has published its annual list of the richest celebrities in 2017... It included a hundred people: from musicians and actors to sports stars and TV presenters. Their combined income was over $ 5 billion before taxes for the period from June 2016 to June 2017.
This is what the top ten most financially successful world stars look like.
10. James LeBron
Annual income - $ 86 million
In 2016, one of the most popular basketball players of our time signed a three-season contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which will bring him $ 100 million. Another $ 31 million came from LeBron's 2016-17 salary, making him the third highest paid NBA player of the season behind Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. And in the athlete's advertising piggy bank contracts with Nike, Coca-Cola, Beats by Dr. Dre and Kia Motor. His lifetime deal with Nike will enrich the NBA star with a billion dollars.
9. James Patterson
Received $ 87 million in the last year
The richest writer in America fell in love with readers for a series of detective stories with detective Alex Cross as the main character. Several films were shot based on his books (including Kissing the Girls, And the Spider Came with Morgan Freeman). And now the prolific Patterson, who has created more than 130 works, is writing the thriller "The President Disappeared" in collaboration with ex-US President Bill Clinton.
8. Coldplay band
Earned 88 million dollars
British pop rockers have returned to the top 10 richest stars in the world thanks to the successful Head Full of Dreams tour, which concluded in December 2016. They made about $ 5 million per gig in every city.
This is good news for the charity sector as the group donated 10% of their profits to good causes.
7. Howard Stern
For 2016-2017 earned $ 90 million
The controversial American radio host and self-styled "king of all media" got the lion's share of his income from his SiriusXM satellite radio contract, but his future digital ventures, including mobile app and video streaming, may pay off in the future. In 2006, Stern was already in seventh place in the Forbes rankings, then he entered the ten most popular celebrities in the world.
6. The Weeknd
Annual income - $ 92 million
One of the most popular pop singers in the world, whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, will receive approximately $ 1.1 million for each performance on his Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour, which began in February 2017 and will end on 14 December 2017. The artist has an advertising agreement with Puma, and his music sounds in advertising for perfume from Hugo Boss The Scent. Nevertheless, the singer earns most of his income from streaming services - a modern source of income for artists and performers.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
Income - $ 93 million
2016 was a very successful year for the richest athlete of 2017... He won the title of the best FIFA player in the world for the fourth time, and has extended his contract with Real Madrid, which will pay him more than 21 million euros (excluding bonuses) for each of the following seasons, until 2021. In addition, Cristiano has signed a lifetime deal with Nike worth over $ 1 billion.He remains the most watched athlete in the world with 275 million followers on social media. And on June 8, 2017, the famous football player became a father for the second time (from a surrogate mother). He had twins.
4. Drake
Total Annual Revenue - $ 94 Million
The Canadian hip-hop artist made the bulk of his dollars during the recently completed Boy Meets World Tour. In addition, he receives checks for advertising Apple, Sprite and Nike products.
3. J.K. Rowling
Earned $ 95 million in a year
Rowling's biggest source of income was naturally Harry Potter. Last year, the author gave the franchise a new lease of life with the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which became a bestseller. In addition, Rowling received income from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ($ 814 million at the box office on a budget of $ 180 million), as well as from various Harry Potter Park attractions at Universal Studios.
2. Beyonce
Annual income - $ 105 million
The beautiful and talented singer was able to take second place in the top 10 richest celebrities of 2017 thanks to the album Lemonade and the World Tour, which grossed a quarter of a billion dollars. Now Beyoncé is taking a break from touring and is about to give birth to twins.
1. Sean "Diddy" Combs
Annual income - $ 130 million
This American rapper, fashion designer and producer has displaced the leader of last year's ranking of the highest paid celebrities, Taylor Swift, from the financial pedestal. In 2017, Swift only got 49th place. Combs was helped to become the richest successful man by advertising for Ciroc vodka, royalties from a recent tour, and the sale of a controlling stake in clothing company Sean John for $ 70 million.