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Diddy made more than any other celebrity last year, according to Forbes. Photo: Daniela Federici

US rap star and entrepreneur Diddy tops Forbes’ list of highest paid celebrities

Hong Kong martial arts movie legend Jackie Chan also on list alongside Beyoncé, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and J.K. Rowling

Rapper turned businessman Diddy was the world’s top-paid celebrity in the past year, edging out closest competitor Beyoncé, Forbes said in its annual list on Monday.

Sean Combs, aka Diddy.

Hong Kong martial arts film legend Jackie Chan was once of the few non-Western celebrities on the list, coming in at No 39 with earnings of US$49 million in the past 12 months, along with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at No 65 with US$38 million.

Diddy earned US$130 million in the past 12 months, of which $70 million came from selling a one-third stake in his Sean John clothing line.

Diddy – whose real name is Sean Combs and earlier in his career was known as Puff Daddy – is estimated by Forbes to be worth US$820 million, even though he has released little music in the past decade.

But he has pursued a variety of business interests and last year headlined a North American arena tour with other artists on his Bad Boy Records label.

Jackie Chan. Photo: AFP

Beyoncé came second at US$105 million after her lucrative “Formation” tour, an elaborately staged set of performances that followed her Lemonade album. Beyoncé, who is expecting twins, is estimated to be worth US$1 billion with her husband, rap mogul Jay Z, who was No 55 on the list.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who published a series of e-books last year, came in third at US$95 million, making her the highest-paid celebrity outside of music. She narrowly edged out Canadian hip-hop star Drake, Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Canadian R&B sensation The Weeknd.
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

Guns N’ Roses entered the list at No 11, earning US$84 million, after the rock legends’ key members Axl Rose and Slash reunited for the first time in 23 years.

The list can swing rapidly from year to year. Pop star Taylor Swift, who topped the previous year’s list by earning US$170 million, slipped to 49th place as she had concluded her tour.

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