Richest woman in music is Madonna

The 49-year-old pop music icon has just topped Forbes.com’s first-ever list of the "Cash Queens of Music.", which ranks the 20 highest-paid female artists for the period June 2006 to June 2007. According to the website, she earned $72 million in that time frame. She edged Barbra Streisand for the top post, who earned $60 million in the same period. Celine Dion, meanwhile, came in third at $45 million.



The list was based on concert ticket sales, merchandise revenue, album sales and earnings from ancillary products such as clothing, perfumes and endorsements.



We have the list for you of the biggest earning female musicians! There are some suprises on the list!



Here are the 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. Beyoncé ($27 million).
6. Gwen Stefani ($26 million)
7. Christina Aguilera ($20 million)
8. Faith Hill ($19 million)
9. The 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)