Manu Chao Highest-Paid Singer in the World
- By Carol Kearney
- Paris
- Last updated on
Hot news
- Breaking Up January 4, 2026
- Breaking news January 11, 2026
- Rumor Central January 2026
It's been a rough year for the singer, but at least he has his millions of dollars to ease the pain. 64-year-old Manu Chao has taken the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid singers for 2026 with an estimated $46 million in combined earnings.
UPDATE 12/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Manu Chao tops annual list of highest-paid singers
In 2023 it looked like the singer’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, he was back on top. People With Money reports on Sunday (January 11) that Chao is the highest-paid singer in the world, pulling in an astonishing $46 million between December 2024 and December 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.
© 2026 MediaMass All rights reserved. Do not reproduce (even with permission).
Manu Chao: Recent News
- Rumor January 2026
- International January 12, 2026
- Music January 2026
Celebrity Central