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Madonna is now officially the highest grossing touring solo artist of all time.
According to Billboard Boxscore, her latest Rebel Heart Tour, which wrapped up this week, put her at $1.31 billion in tickets sold over her career. The only two acts that have made more are U2 and The Rolling Stones.
The $1.31 billion breaks down into the following Madonna tours (all numbers pre-inflation adjustment): last year’s Rebel Heart Tour ($169.8 million), 2012’s MDNA Tour ($305.1 million), 2008’s Sticky & Sweet Tour ($407.7 million), 2006’s Confessions Tour ($194.7 million), 2004’s Re-Invention World Tour ($124.7 million), 2001’s Drowned World Tour ($75 million), and 1993’s Girlie Show ($70 million).
Billboard Boxscore only started tracking in 1990, meaning that the $1.31 billion figure does not include 1990’s Blond Ambition World Tour ($62.7 million), 1987’s Who’s That Girl Tour ($25 million), and 1985’s The Virgin Tour ($5 million).
As for highest grossing tour, Madonna is at #5 with her MDNA Tour. U2’s 360° Tour earned $736,421,584 from 2009 to 2011.
So, say what you will about Madonna, but the Material Girl obviously knows how to put on a show.