Madonna is the highest-earning woman in music.
The 49-year-old singer has topped the first Cash Queens of Music list, compiled by Forbes.com, after raking in $72 million between June 2006 and June 2007.
The 'Hung Up' singer's personal fortune was boosted by her successful 'Confessions Tour', which generated a staggering $260 million worldwide. Madonna also benefited financially from working with high street fashion chain H+M, general record sales and her deal with US broadcaster NBC for the rights to air her concert from London's Wembley Arena.
Barbra Streisand, 65 - who was the oldest performer on the list - finished second with $60 million. The 'Woman In Love' star remains one of the most successful female entertainers in the world, having sold more than 145 million albums worldwide.
Celine Dion, 39, came third with $45 million. The 'My Heart Will Go On' singer's fortune was boosted by her five-year Las Vegas residency, which ended last December. Her 'A New Day' show grossed more than $400 million since it opened at Caesars Palace in March 2003.
Shakira and Beyoncé Knowles - who collaborated on hit song 'Beautiful Liar' last year - rounded out the top five with $38 million and $27 million respectively. Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey all feature in the top 10.
The top 20 women on the list earned a combined fortune of $420 million.
The list was compiled by examining the artist's concert grosses, merchandising revenue, album sales and additional revenue from clothing lines, fragrance deals and endorsements.
Only 'active' artists - those who released an album or film or toured during the specified period - were considered. Forbes' Cash Queens of Music full list is available online at www.forbes.com.
Forbes.com's Cash Queens of Music top five:
1. Madonna - $72 million
2. Barbra Streisand - $60 million
3. Celine Dion - $45 million
4. Shakira - $38 million
5. Beyoncé Knowles - $27 million
Meanwhile, Madonna's husband Guy Ritchie has signed up to direct a series of mini-movies for Nike.
The 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' director has been recruited by the sportswear giant to produce the unique adverts and has been asked to persuade his wife Madonna to star in them.
A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Nike have commissioned Guy to put together some really cool feature-length adverts to last the entire commercial break. His brief is to make miniature movies with Nike gear as the star of the adverts. That's unless he can rope Madonna in to add her presence to the campaign!"
The couple are fitness fanatics and have converted the £6 million property next to their London home into a gym.
The Nike deal isn't the first time Guy has worked with his 'Material Girl'
singer wife on an advertising campaign. In 2001, he directed a short promotional film for BMW entitled 'Star', with Madonna playing a spoiled and arrogant celebrity. | 
