In most sports, halftime is when you brave the endless lineups at the concession stand or the restrooms. When it comes to American football, though, halftime is for non-sporty entertainment, especially when it comes to the biggest game of them all: the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl used to provide entertainment in the form of marching bands, but since the 1990s, the halftime show has featured some of the most popular performers of all time. Even though they usually only last about 15 minutes, some of these shows have made history – who could forget Prince’s Dolphin Stadium performance in high heels on a slippery stage in the pouring rain at Super Bowl XLI in 2007?
Performing in the Super Bowl halftime show is a sure way of boosting record sales, which is why the halftime show performers don’t get paid an appearance fee, even though their expenses are covered by the NFL – not that they need it. Rihanna, slated to perform at Super Bowl LVII at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona this year, is worth a whopping $1.4 billion, according to Forbes. The 20 other richest Super Bowl halftime show performers since 2000 on our list haven’t done too badly for themselves, either.
Note: all net worths listed are estimated, in USD and according to online sources like Celebrity Net Worth, Forbes and Wealthy Gorilla.
See also: The richest celebrity chefs, ranked by net worth.

20. The Weeknd (Estimated net worth: $300 million)
According to Wealthy Gorilla, The Weeknd has an estimated net worth of $300 million. This mainly comes from his music gigs, but he's also had a few acting gigs and business partnerships.

19. Shakira (Estimated net worth: $300 million)
Wealthy Gorilla estimates Shakira’s fortune at $300 million. The Colombian singer, who recorded her debut album when she was only 13, is hugely popular in both the English and Spanish-speaking markets. She’s also done some acting, has featured as a bird in Angry Birds POP! and has her own fragrance line. However, her financial dealings have landed her in hot water, and she was named in the Paradise Papers as well as in the Pandora Papers.

18. Larry Mullen Jr. (Estimated net worth: $300 million)
Boy George once said, “If you see Bono, tell him that if he still hasn’t found what he is looking for, to look behind the drum kit.” We’re almost certain he was referring to the fact that U2 was formed after Larry Mullen Jr. posted on his school’s notice board, looking for other musicians. In addition to his work with U2, he’s collaborated with other musicians and, along with U2 bassist Adam Clayton, was responsible for that catchy Mission: Impossible theme song. He’s also done some acting, even appearing alongside one of the wealthiest Canadian actors, Donald Sutherland, in 2011’s The Man on the Train. Wealthy Gorilla estimates his net worth at $300 million.

17. Lady Gaga (Estimated net worth: $330 million)
Lady Gaga’s $330 million fortune, as estimated by Celebrity Net Worth, is mainly thanks to her hit records and sell-out concert tours and makes her one of the richest LGBTQ2S+ celebs. However, she’s also embarked on a successful acting career that has earned her one Best Actress Oscar nomination so far.

16. Katy Perry (Estimated net worth: $330 million)
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Katy Perry’s net worth at $330 million. In addition to her super successful music career – she currently has a concert residency in Las Vegas – she’s done some acting and has been an American Idol judge since 2018.

15. Phil Collins (Estimated net worth: $350 million)
These days he’s mostly known as Lily Collins’ dad, but your parents might remember rocking out to his hits with Genesis and as solo artist back in the day. He actually started his career as a child actor, joined Genesis as their drummer and became their lead singer when Peter Gabriel left the band. He continued acting even at the height of his fame as musician and has amassed a fortune of around $360 million, as estimated by Celebrity Net Worth.

14. Jennifer Lopez (Estimated net worth: $400 million)
While her hit movies and songs, sell-out concerts and stint as an American Idol judge are certainly responsible for a huge chunk of her $400 net worth as estimated by Wealthy Gorilla, she’s also astute in business. In 2009, along with then-husband Marc Anthony, she bought a stake in the Miami Dolphins. And, while she wasn’t the first celebrity to have their own fragrance line, hers became the most successful, inspiring other celebrities to get on the bandwagon. Glow by JLO was released in 2002 and is still a bestseller.

13. The Edge (Estimated net worth: $400 million)
Dave Evans, better known as The Edge, is responsible for the driving guitar so synonymous with the U2 sound. He’s also worked with other artists, ranging from Johnny Cash and B.B. King to Rihanna and Jay-Z. He’s collaborated on movie scores and theme songs and was the first rocker to perform at the Sistine Chapel. Wealthy Gorilla estimates his fortune at $400 million, making him one of the richest rock stars.

11. Adam Clayton (Estimated net worth: $400 million)
Adam Clayton has always marched to the beat of his own, well, bass. While the other members of U2 have always maintained a squeaky clean image, he was the one providing tabloid fodder with his arrest for weed possession, his struggle against alcoholism and his relationship with supermodel Naomi Campbell, even though he later settled down. He’s collaborated with various other musicians and his biggest hit outside of U2 was the theme from Mission: Impossible, which he recorded with bandmate Larry Mullen Jr. Wealthy Gorilla estimates his net worth at $400 million.

12. Shania Twain (Estimated net worth: $400 million)
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Shania Twain has an estimated net worth of $400 million. This comes mostly from an enormously successful music career, but also from movie and TV appearances, including a six-part documentary series about her life and career.

10. Keith Richards (Estimated net worth: $500 million)
What has probably become the band’s most recognizable hit came to Keith Richards in a dream. The guitarist was also responsible for what is probably the world’s most famous riff. Six decades of writing and performing hits with one of the most successful rock bands ever, and being a solo artist and collaborating with other musicians, he has built up a nest egg of around $500 million, as estimated by Wealthy Gorilla. He’s also ventured into acting, most notably as Captain Jack Sparrow’s dad in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and has written a best-selling autobiography and a children’s book. He also has the world’s most expensive middle finger, reputedly insured for $1.6 million.

9. Beyoncé (Estimated net worth: $500 million)
Beyoncé is one half of one of the celebrity power couples with the highest net worth. Husband Jay-Z is a billionaire, but Queen Bey has a half-billion of her own, as estimated by Wealthy Gorilla. Most of her wealth comes from her music and her movie roles. She also owns her own entertainment company, has had several fashion lines and has made extra cash from endorsement deals.

8. Dr. Dre (Estimated net worth: $500 million)
If you want to revisit the performance, you might find yourself listening to it through your Beats headphones. While Dr. Dre has had a successful music career since the mid-'80s (especially as a member of N.W.A.), as a solo artist and producer, it’s been the runaway success of Beats Electronics that has been largely responsible for the $500 million he has to his name, as estimated by Celebrity Net Worth.

7. Sting (Estimated net worth: $550 million)
“Message in a Bottle” is just one of the many songs that have made Sting (AKA Gordon Sumner) a superstar, both as member of The Police and as a solo artist. The former schoolteacher has also had a moderately successful career as an actor, both on screen and on stage. Wealthy Gorilla estimates his net worth at $550 million.

6. Mick Jagger (Estimated net worth: $500 million)
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Mick Jagger has amassed a fortune of an estimated $500 million over his six decades as a rocker, both with the Rolling Stones and as a solo artist. Along with Keith Richards, he’s part of one of history’s most successful songwriting duos. Alongside his music career, he’s done some acting and has his own film production company.

5. Bruce Springsteen (Estimated net worth: $650 million)
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have been playing together since 1972 and The Boss has been selling out stadiums since 1975’s “Born to Run." He’s also written a best-selling autobiography. His joint podcast series with President Barack Obama has made him not only one of the richest rockers but also one of the richest podcasters. Wealthy Gorilla estimates his net worth at $650 million.

4. Bono (Estimated net worth: $700 million)
In addition to his career as musician, Bono has worked as executive producer on The Million Dollar Hotel and last year he released a best-selling memoir. He’s a shrewd business investor too, from co-owning a historic hotel in Dublin with The Edge, to co-founding a fair-trade fashion label, to investing in and serving on the boards of investment firms. Celebrity Net Worth says he has an estimated $700 million to his name. Like Shakira, he was named in the Paradise Papers. However, he’s also known for his philanthropy and activism.

3. Madonna (Estimated net worth: $850 million)
The fact that nobody can put on a show quite like Madonna does has helped her become one of the world’s richest singers, with an $850 million fortune, as estimated by Wealthy Gorilla. Her movie career has been hit-and-miss but put her live on stage and the greatest sceptic turns into a fan. Some of her business ventures have included her own entertainment company and the record label that brought the world Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. She's also run a chain of fitness centres, a lifestyle brand and several fashion labels.

2. P. Diddy (Estimated net worth: $900 million)
P. Diddy is (of course) Sean Combs, or Puff Daddy, or Diddy. He learned the ins-and-outs of the music business while working at Uptown Records before starting his own record label and making a star of Notorious B.I.G. He also embarked on a wildly successful career as a rapper himself, but it’s his astute business sense that has earned him a fortune of $900 million, as estimated by Celebrity Net Worth. There’s his award-winning clothing brand Sean John as well as stakes in a variety of businesses over the years, including restaurants, Cîroc vodka and AQUAhydrate water.

1. Paul McCartney (Estimated net worth: $1.2 billion)
As one of the Fab Four and half of history’s most successful songwriting partnership, Paul McCartney was a superstar long before anybody even dreamed of a Super Bowl and three decades before the stadium he would perform in was built. With Wings, a solo career and hit songs with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, he was the most successful Beatle after the band broke up. Much of his fortune, which Wealthy Gorilla estimates at $1.2 billion, comes from his extensive music publishing catalogue and the royalties earned when someone covers one of his songs. “Yesterday” alone has more than 2,200 cover versions.