Culture

Madonna becomes a billionaire whilst reaffirming support for equal marriage

Mar 27 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

Madonna recently became a billionaire, new reports have suggested, amidst reaffirming her support for equal marriage, and strongly voicing her ongoing support for LGBT rights.

The New York Post report said that the Ray of Light singer’s net worth had jumped up after her 88-stop MDNA Tour last year, which brought in $305,158,363 (£201,984,625).

The money made from the tour make it the highest grossing tour of 2012. It also doesn’t take into account $75 million (£50 million) in merchandise sales, and $10 million (£6.6 million) in TV and DVD rights.

As well as the tour, her MDNA album debuted at number one of the Billboard chart.

According to Womens Wear Daily, the star’s net worth had stayed at around the $700 million (£460 million) mark for some time.

Earlier today Beyoncé and Madonna both came out in support of equal marriage on the first day that the US Supreme Court took on two cases challenging same-sex marriage bans.

Madonna posted a custom, hand-written post which read: “Marriage equality, let’s start a revolution”. Accompanying the post, Madonna wrote: “#marriage equality. A revolution of LOVE !!”

Out of the pair, Madonna’s 2012 Super Bowl halftime show drew more viewers than Beyoncé’s this year, and featured MIA, Nicky Minaj and LMFAO.

They joined hundreds of thousands of social media users who changed their profile pictures to an altered Human Rights Campaign logo, as well as adding personal messages of support for equal marriage.

Madonna recently drew fire from Texas Governor Rick Perry, who voiced his distaste at her recent appearance at the GLAAD Awards, which she attended dressed as a boy scout, speaking out against the Boy Scouts of America’s ban on gay members.

Perry said that Madonna had taken a “gratuitous shot” at the BSA, when she said that it should lift its ban on gay volunteers, members and staff.

Madonna took to the stage at the 24th annual GLAAD awards dressed as a boy scout, as she gave a passionate speech about LGBT rights, before presenting TV host Anderson Cooper with an award.