Sir Paul is about to embark on a European tour

The former Beatle came top of a list compiled by United States celebrity magazine People after receiving �65m from album sales and tour receipts.

The remaining �55m came through the publishing royalties he earns from his solo and Wings material, plus other rights he owns, including the Buddy Holly catalogue, the magazine said.

Sir Paul's total fortune was estimated at more than $1bn (�620m) by People.

He also came top of a recent rich list of UK performers in Heat magazine.

Million-seller

Driving Rain, his last studio album, was released in November 2001 and he went on a 53-date US tour.

Tickets for the gigs cost an average of $130 (�81), and he released a 35-track live album that has sold more than one million copies in the US.

His 2003 looks set to be equally busy, with a European tour and a �60 Beatles DVD featuring rare footage of McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr playing together in 1994 set to be popular among fans.

The People survey said Oprah Winfrey was the highest-earning US star, making �94m in 2002.