Watch the throne, or sit on it? Beyonce and Jay-Z topped Forbes magazine's list of world's highest paid celebrity couples with a combined estimated annual income of $US78 million. They were #2 last year.
Blue Ivy Carter’s mum earned $40 million between May 1, 2011 and May 1, 2012. In the past, half of Beyonce’s money has come in the form of endorsements from the likes of L'Oreal, Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger and Armani. Her touring, tour sponsorship and merchandise also ranks up there, as obviously do her recording and publishing royalties.
Jay-Z, who holds the current record for most number one albums on the Billboard 200, brought in $38 million during this period. His Watch The Throne album with Kanye West, which sold 1.5 million in America alone, was followed by a successful world tour.
He makes money from his business ventures as the urban clothing, footwear, fragrance, and accessory company Rocawear (he sold it in 2007 for $206 million but still has a stake in the company), the 40/40 Club chain of sports bars and lounges and the Translation ad agency. He is also part-owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team and co-brand director for Budweiser Select. His known investments include the Carol’s Daughter range of beauty products and a real estate development venture called J Hotels.
Last year’s Forbes list-toppers, supermodel and clothes collection owner Gisele Bundchen and her New England Patriots quarterback husband Tom Brady slipped down to second spot, with a combined $72 million. Bundchen's income doubled Brady's.
Third on the list were David Beckham and Victoria Beckham (a combined $54 million) followed by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ($45 million) and then Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith ($30 million).
Last year, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart made a combined $40 million but, alas, no longer seem to qualify as a couple.
- Christie Eliezer, The Music Network
