What does it take to be the world's highest paid female solo artist?

We take a look at who Forbes have named the highest paid celebrity in the world, and why

highest paid female solo artist
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

We take a look at who Forbes have named the highest paid female solo artist in the world, and why she's so great

Forbes recently released this year's list of the world's highest paid women in music, and it probably won't surprise you to learn that the top spot was snagged by none other than Taylor Swift.

That's right, the Bad Blood singer is estimated to have brought in an incredible 170 million dollars this year alone, more than doubling her take of 80 million dollars last year.

From her 1989 tour alone, she's made a jaw dropping quarter of a billion dollars overall. According to Forbes, 'More than $200 million of that came in North America, where Swift shattered the Rolling Stones’ record. She padded her total by moving more than 3 million album equivalents during our scoring period and shilling brands including Keds, Diet Coke and Apple.'

Let's take a look back at Taylor Swift's career and find out exactly what it takes to be the highest-paid celebrity in the world...

She started her career at just 14 years old

Taylor signed her first deal with RCA records when she was a young and fresh-faced teenager. And the rest, as they say, is history...

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

She's come a long way from her debut album, Taylor Swift - since then, the star has released four other incredibly popular titles: Fearless, Speak Now, Red and, most recently, 1989. And they're going to be even more popular when you give your fans a world tour, right?

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

She launched her own fragrance

In 2011 Taylor launched her own fragrance, Wonderstruck, joining the ranks of many a celebrity face to do the same.

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

When she parodied herself in her own music video

If people are going to insult the number of boyfriends you've had, this is probably the best way to poke fun right back at them.

She's famous for her ultimate girl squad

From Victoria's Secret Angels to fellow pop artists, Tay has a seriously enviable circle of friends, with the likes of Selena Gomez, Karlie Kloss and Blake Lively all featuring. It's fair to say that if anyone is hating on her, her 'squad' are pretty quick to step in and have her back. Earlier this year, she threw the ultimate fourth of July party, and the squad were all there, obviously...

(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2005 BEimages. No use without permission.)

She's duetted with some of the biggest names in the industry

Ed Sheeran, Paul McCartney, Ellie Goulding, The Rolling Stones, Sam Smith, Jason Derulo, Emeli Sandé, Madonna... The list of people Taylor has performed with is as long as next week.

(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

When you weigh up the evidence, it's really no surprise that Taylor has been so successful, is it?

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