JAN 31, 2008 // Madonna is top of the charts - this time in the list of the richest female musicians, says business website Forbes.com.

Madonna is top of the charts again - this time in the list of the richest female musicians, says business website Forbes.com.

For the first time the analysis group is focusing on the women of the music industry, with Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion following the Material Girl in second and third places respectively.

Madonna is estimated to have earned $72 million (£36.1 million) in the year between June 2006 and June 2007, with a large percentage coming from her landmark Confessions tour.

The tour was the most lucrative for a female artist, grossing $260 million (£130 million).

Streisand earned $60 million (£30.1 million) for a post-retirement comeback tour, while Dion's regular gigs at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace helped her rake in $45 million (£22.6 million).

Of the top ten only Dion, a Canadian, and the Colombian artist Shakira, who is in fourth, are from outside the US.

Fifth place went to Beyonce, the former member of Destiny's Child and star of the third Austin Powers film, while ex-No Doubt star Gwen Stefani comes in at six, partly due to her fashion and fragrance lines.

Genie In A Bottle singer Christina Aguilera, another singer with a sideline in perfume, takes the seventh spot, while country singer Faith Hill was placed eighth.

Controversial group the Dixie Chicks - who created a furore in 2003 by apologising to a British audience on behalf of the US for electing President George W Bush - and R&B diva Mariah Carey round out the top ten.

Forbes.com'shest-paid female music artists:

1. Madonna - $72m (£36.1m)

2. Barbra Streisand - $60m (£30.1m)

3. Celine Dion - $45 (£22.6m)

4. Shakira - $38m (£19.2m)

5. Beyonce - $27m (£13.5m)

6.Gwen Stefani - $26m (£13m)

7.Christina Aguilera - $20m (£10m)

8. Faith Hill - $19m (£9.5m)

9. Dixie Chicks - $18m (£9m)

10. Mariah Carey - $13m (£6.5m)

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