Taylor Swift has earned a place among the most powerful women in the world, according to Forbes, which ranked the pop superstar at No. 5 alongside global political figures, corporate chiefs and leaders in finance.
Forbes placed Swift fifth on its 2023 World’s Most Powerful Women list, marking a dramatic rise from last year, when she appeared at No. 79.
Introducing her entry, Forbes pointed to the 33-year-old entertainer’s extraordinary year, noting her record-shattering world tour, her rare ability to influence local economies and her estimated $1.1 billion fortune as reasons she now ranks among the planet’s most influential women.
It has been a landmark 2023 for Swift, whose blockbuster Eras Tour became a cultural and commercial phenomenon. Her high-profile relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce also brought together two powerful fan bases: Swifties and football audiences.
Swift reached billionaire status in October, largely driven by the success of the Eras Tour, which Forbes said had generated nearly $850 million across 66 U.S. shows.
Taylor Swift has been named one of Forbes’ most powerful women in the world, taking the No. 5 spot on a list featuring political leaders, CEOs and major financial figures
Her net worth climbed to an estimated $1.1 billion after she made $190 million after taxes from the tour’s opening leg. Swift is set to continue the Eras Tour in 2024 with dates across Europe and Asia.
Forbes also highlighted the so-called “Taylor Swift effect” on host cities. During her two Denver concerts, fans spent an average of $1,300 on hotels, dining and retail, contributing an estimated $140 million to Colorado’s gross domestic product.
Estimates made by the U.S. Travel Association calculates that Taylor’s tour over $5 billion was added to state economies.
‘She’s like a big corporation, essentially, operating in many sectors,’ Carolyn Sloan, a labor economist and professor at the University of Chicago, told Forbes.
‘Her audience has skewed so young and so female for so long that people may have underestimated how big this thing could be, economically. I don’t think anybody doubts that today.’
Forbes also cites the success of her Eras Tour concert, released in October. The movie earned $93 million during its opening weekend and worldwide made over $250 million.
The release of her film also coincided with her much-talked about romance with NFL star Travis Kelce, whom Swift has been supporting in person at his games.
In addition, Forbes brings up her successful re-recording of her songs following a controversy over the masters. Her latest re-recording, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), broke a Spotify record.
2023 has indeed been a banner year for the pop star, with Taylor embarking on her record-breaking Eras Tour and a new romance with football star Travis Kelce that has taken two unlikely worlds, Swifites and the NFL, by storm
Swift’s net worth grew to $1.1 billion after she earned $190 million – after tax – during the first leg of her tour, prompting her net worth to grow to $1.1 billion. She will next travel to Europe and Asia for her tour in 2024
The pop star pictured in Cincinnati, Ohio in June
Taylor has indeed been everywhere as of late – and her influence has not gone unnoticed.
Taylor has topped People’s 2023 Most Intriguing People of the Year list, and has also been nominated for TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year.
For now, fans will have to wait a little longer to see Taylor on stage again – she’s currently on a nearly three month break from her tour.
