Manu Chao Highest-Paid Singer in the World

By Carol Kearney
Paris
Last updated on April 10, 2025

Manu Chao led People With Money’s annual list of the “100 highest paid singers” released on Wednesday.

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It's been a rough year for the singer, but at least he has his millions of dollars to ease the pain. 63-year-old Manu Chao has taken the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid singers for 2025 with an estimated $46 million in combined earnings.

UPDATE 10/04/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Manu Chao tops annual list of highest-paid singers

In 2022 it looked like the singer’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, he was back on top. People With Money reports on Wednesday (April 9) that Chao is the highest-paid singer in the world, pulling in an astonishing $46 million between March 2024 and March 2025, a nearly $20 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 French singer-songwriter has an estimated net worth of $145 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 Chao Burger” chain) in Paris, a Football Team (the “Paris Angels”), has launched his own brand of Vodka (Pure Wonderchao - France), and is tackling the juniors market with a top-selling perfume (With Love from Manu) and a fashion line called “Manu Chao Seduction”.

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