Madonna is now believed to be a billionaire thanks to her highly successful world tour and savvy business ventures

Her latest tour generated plenty  of controversy – and, it seems, plenty  of cash.

Madonna has become the world’s  first billionaire female pop star  after the most successful year of her three-decade career.

The 54-year-old has earned more than $300million (£200million) in the past 12 months, pushing her net worth above the $1billion (£650million) mark.

Material Girl: Madonna is now believed to be a billionaire thanks to her highly successful world tour and savvy business ventures

A string of concerts that saw her baring her bottom, flashing her breasts and posing with pistols attracted more than 2million fans and grossed $305million (£200million), making it the most successful tour by any artist in 2012.

 

Added to profits from business ventures, merchandise sales, property and endorsements, plus $700million already in the bank, it has elevated the Material Girl singer into the billionaires’ club.

Others in the same wealth bracket include chat show host Oprah Winfrey and film director Steven Spielberg.

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Material Girl: Madonna is now believed to be a billionaire thanks to her highly successful world tour and savvy business ventures

Controversial: Her salute to Pussy Riot angered officials in the Russian leg of her tour, but she still secured the big bucks

Sell out: Her 88 date tour grossed over $3.05 million, with an extra $85 million income from merchandise, TV and DVD sales

Big draw: The singer's 2012 Superbowl performance secured more viewers than Beyoncé's in February this year

Madonna’s MDNA tour, which took in 88 cities between May and December, attracted widespread criticism.

The star flashed her right breast in Istanbul, the left one in Paris, and, when in Rome, even lowered her trousers to bare her backside.

In Paris, fans booed and chanted ‘refund’ when she performed for only 45 minutes. She was also condemned for using dummy guns in her shows soon after the Colorado cinema shooting.

But none of that stopped 2.12million fans paying an average of £140 per ticket to see her and spending a further £50million on merchandise. TV rights and DVD sales generated an extra £6.6million.

Off stage, her perfume range brought in £40million and a £1million investment in health drink Vita Coco is reported to have made her around £7million.

Deals with Smirnoff vodka and gym chain Hard Candy were also among those topping up the coffers.

Madonna, who divorced Guy Ritchie four years ago, is the most successful female artist of all time, having sold more than 300million records.

Fragrance: The 54-year old launched her first perfume in 2012

No. 1: Madonna's MDNA album topped the chart upon its release

Hard Candy: Madonna opened a chain of gyms, the first launched in Mexico City in 2010