This year’s highest paid couple shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Beyoncé and Jay Z have both been working non-stop this year and the power couple has dominated everyone.
Both landed on Forbes‘s highest paid celebrity 100 list this year. Queen Bey snagged the number 34 spot with a cool $54 million, while Jay landed at number 36 with $53.5 million. Their combined earnings make them the highest paid celebrity couple of 2016.
In 2009, Beyoncé told Forbes, “I’ve never met anyone that works harder than me in my industry.” And, she’s right. Bey has been hard at work on her Formation world tour, Ivy Park athleisure line, and the critically lauded release of Lemonade was also a feather in her cap. Jay’s earnings come largely from the empire the rapper has built, his entertainment company Roc Nation—which serves as a record label, artists’ management and sports agency—plus various other projects like his D’Ussé cognac and Armand de Brignac champagne.
Hip hop’s royal couple snatched the top spot from Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris, who recently broke up, and also beat Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, the second highest paid celebrity couple.
This isn’t either of their first time on the Forbes list, either. Jay Z has appeared on the list ten times, while Bey is making her ninth appearance. Based on Forbes‘ June-to-June scoring period, the couple’s total earnings come in at $107.5 million. Imagine what they’ll have earned by the end of the year.
Looks like Queen Bey and Jay Z’s reign as the king and queen of the entertainment industry continues.
WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.