Britney Spears Earnings: Singer Is Highest-Paid Woman In Music For 2012

Britney Spears had earnings of $58 million in the last year, making the singer the top-earning woman in music and marking quite a comeback.

A number of sources contributed to Brittney Spears’ earnings, including album and perfume sales as well as endorsements, Reuters reported.

Spears was followed closely on the list of highest-paid women in music by 22-year-old country/pop crossover Taylor Swift, who had an estimated $57 million paycheck. The money was in large part from Swift’s tour, which made more than $1 million each night. Taylor Swift also has a contract with CoverGirl cosmetics and her own line of fragrances, along with her top-selling album Red.

Taking the No. 3 slot on the list was 24-year-old Rihanna, who earned an estimated $53 million. Lady Gaga fell from No. 1 last year to No. 4 with $53 million.

For Britney Spears, to have the top earnings showed a dramatic comeback. Once a pop music icon in the late 1990s through the early 2000s, Spears fell on difficult times as she was divorced and went through a very public meltdown.

“I think people love the comeback story — Britney never really finished her run as a superstar,” Steve Stoute, marketing expert and author of The Tanning of America told Forbes.

Britney Spears finished No. 10 on the list last year, but her earnings this year were helped by the release of her latest album, Femme Fatale, and her subsequent tour.

Britney Spears also had earnings from her stint as a judge on the reality television singing show The X Factor. Spears reportedly signed a $15 million contract to appear on the show.