Pop music icon Madonna was atop a list released today by Wealth-X of the world's top 10 richest recording artists.

The 56-year-old Michigan native, who now lives in the United Kingdom, has a net worth of $800 million to rank ahead of British rock-and-roll legend Paul McCartney.

Madonna, whose give name is Madonna Louise Ciccone and is from Bay City, has had an illustrious career in the music industry over the past three decades. She has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. In addition, she has inked a series of lucrative contracts, including a $120 million deal with Live Nation in 2007 as well as agreements in film making, fashion and children's books.

The 72-year-old McCartney, who gained worldwide fame as a member of The Beatles from 1960 to 1970, made an estimated $7 million with the group. The rest of his $660 million fortune was amassed during his later career as a solo artist.

Hip hop pioneer Andre Young, better known as Dr Dre, is third on the list with a net worth of $650 million. The 49-year-old is the co-founder of audio products manufacturer Beats Electronics, which was sold to Apple in 2014 for $3 billion. Wealth-X estimates that Dr Dre pocketed $630 million from the Beats deal before taxes.

The youngest performer on the list is 33-year-old pop music sensation Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, with a personal fortune of $440 million that puts her 10th.

She is married to hip hop star Shawn "Jay Z" Carter, a 45-year-old whose net worth is $510 million. That makes the couple's combined worth at $950 million.

The remainder of the top 10 includes Sean "Diddy/Puff Daddy" Combs, Celine Dion, Paul "Bono" Hewson of U2 fame, Mariah Carey and Elton John.

Wealth-X's Top 10 Richest Recording Artists

PerformerAgeEstimated Net Worth
1Madonna56$800 million
2Paul McCartney72$660 million
3Andre "Dr Dre" Young49$650 million
4Sean "Diddy/Puff Daddy" Combs45$640 million
5Celine Dion46$630 million
6Paul "Bono" Hewson54$590 million
7Mariah Carey44$520 million
8Shawn "Jay Z" Carter45$510 million
9Elton John67$450 million
10Beyoncé Knowles-Carter33$440 million

More From 100.5 FM The River