Madonna named the highest-earning woman in music

Madonna has been named the highest-earning woman in music.

The Material Girl, 49, tops the first-ever Forbes magazine Cash Queens of Music list - banking a massive $72 million USD between June 2006 and June 2007.

Most of that money was earned from her landmark Confessions tour, the highest-grossing tour for a female artist, earning $260 million worldwide.

Madonna also enjoyed income from record sales, her deal with high street fashion retailer H & M and payment from NBC for rights to broadcast her concert performance at London's Wembley Stadium, Forbes reported.

Barbra Streisand, 65 is the list's oldest member, and landed the second place in the list - mainly thanks to her comeback tour, her first since she announced her retirement in 2000.

In third place is Celine Dion, 39, who banked $45 million, largely from her hugely successful A New Day concert series at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The long-running show, which opened in 2003 had been seen by an estimated 3 million fans before it closed in December.

Troubled Britney Spears came in at 14th place - even though she barely toured and lip-synched at a handful of 'comeback' gigs last spring.

The 26-year-old still earned $8 million from her old hits and sales of her perfume, Curious, which grossed $55.4 million in 2006.

In compiling the list, Forbes examined concert grosses, merchandising revenue, album sales and additional revenue from other businesses - including fragrance deals and endorsements.

Only "active" artists were considered - those who had released an album or film or toured during the specified period, Forbes said.

The Top 20 Cash Queens of Music, according to Forbes:

1. Madonna - $72 million
2. Barbra Streisand - $60 million
3. Celine Dion - $45 million
4. Shakira - $38 million
5. Beyonc? - $27 million
6. Gwen Stefani - $26 million
7. Christina Aguilera - $20 million
8. Faith Hill - $19 million
9. Dixie Chicks - $18 million
10. Mariah Carey - $13 million

11. Hilary Duff - $12 million
12. Avril Lavigne - $12 million
13. Martina McBride - $12 million
14. Britney Spears - $8 million
15. Carrie Underwood - $7 million
16. Nelly Furtado - $7 million
17. Fergie - $6 million
18. Jennifer Lopez - $6 million
19. Sheryl Crow - $6 million
20. Norah Jones - $5.5 million

By Owen Williams, Jan 29 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy