Isao Tomita Highest-Paid Composer in the World

By Carol Kearney
Tokyo
Last updated on May 30, 2025

Isao Tomita led People With Money’s annual list of the “100 highest paid composers” released on Thursday.

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It's been a rough year for the composer, but at least he has his millions of dollars to ease the pain. 93-year-old Isao Tomita has taken the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid composers for 2025 with an estimated $82 million in combined earnings.

UPDATE 30/05/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Isao Tomita tops annual list of highest-paid composers

In 2022 it looked like the composer’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, he was back on top. People With Money reports on Thursday (May 29) that Tomita is the highest-paid composer in the world, pulling in an astonishing $82 million between April 2024 and April 2025, a nearly $50 million lead over his closest competition.

People With Money’s factors

In compiling this yearly list, the magazine considers factors such as upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.

The Japanese composer has an estimated net worth of $245 million. He owes his fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings, lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics. He also owns several restaurants (the “Fat Tomita Burger” chain) in Tokyo, a Football Team (the “Tokyo Angels”), has launched his own brand of Vodka (Pure Wondertomita - Japan), and is tackling the juniors market with a top-selling perfume (With Love from Isao) and a fashion line called “Isao Tomita Seduction”.

The ranking is significant for many Isao fans, who have been waiting for his triumphant return to the glory days for what seems like a lifetime.