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Top 30 Best Selling Albums Of All Time, Including Michael Jackson, The Eagles, Whitney Houston [PHOTOS]

Which music legend has the best-selling album of all time? It's the late Michael Jackson with "Thriller," and it's not even close. He has certified sales (albums, cassettes, CDs) of over 70 million copies, with the next closest competitor at 50 million copies being AC/DC ("Back in Black") in second place.

Tour our photo gallery above featuring the top 30 best-selling albums of all time as noted on Wikipedia.

The Top 10 Best Selling Greatest HIts Albums

25 October 2023, 15:16Updated: 25 October 2023, 15:49

Some of the best-selling Greatest Hits of all time: Bob Marley, Queen, Madonna, Elton John, George Michael, The Beatles and Michael Jackson. Picture: Press

Who had the most popular greatest hits in British music history? And who is notable by their absence from our collection of great collections? Radio X breaks down the sales figures.

Who doesn't love a Greatest Hits? They're the albums that showcase the most iconic and beloved tracks from an artist, offering a unique look into their evolution (or devolution, depending on who we're talking about). Whether they're an important introduction to an act, or a chance to relive fond memories of their best moments, there's no doubt that a finely-curated hits collection can be a huge seller. And here are the ten biggest examples of the form in British music history.

Queen - Greatest Hits: release date 26th October 1981

The biggest selling album in British recording history is this 1981 collection of Queen bangers, which span from 1974's Seven Seas Of Rhye to 1980's Flash.

While not including the David Bowie/Queen collaboration Under Pressure (which topped the charts a couple of weeks after Greatest Hits was released), this collection was the first album to break the 7 million sales barrier in July 2022, which works out at an impressive 25 times Platinum status.

Queen - Greatest Hits cover art. Picture: Press

ABBA - Gold: release date 21st September 1992

Distributor PolyGram had acquired ABBA's label Polar Music in 1989, so the time was right for a CD-era collection of the Swedish pop titans' greatest hits.

It coincided with a resurgence of interest in the band's music and went on to be the second biggest selling album in UK history, shifting over 6 million units - that's 20 times Platinum, never mind Gold. In November 2021, ABBA Gold became the first LP to spend 1,000 weeks on the chart.

ABBA - Gold cover art. Picture: Press

Queen - Greatest Hits II: release date 28th October 1991

Just sneaking into the Top 10 of the UK's biggest-selling albums is the follow-up to Queen's Greatest Hits, issued almost a decade to the day after its predecessor. Spanning the period between the single Under Pressure (1981) and the album Innuendo (1991), the collection focuses on the band's mid-80s highpoint, when they were the champions of Live Aid.

Issued only a month before the death of Freddie Mercury, Greatest Hits II returned to the top of the album charts following the tragic loss of the frontman, going on to be certified 13 times Platinum in the UK; that's roughly 3.9 million sales.

Queen - Greatest Hits II cover art. Picture: Press

The Beatles - 1: release date 13th November 2000

30 years after The Fab Four called it a day there came this collection of all their Number 1 hits (hence the name). The track listing caused some controversy: songs were eligible if they'd topped the charts in either the UK or the US.

This meant you got Love Me Do (only Number 17 here, but a chart-topper in America), Eight Days A Week and Yesterday (not even singles in the UK) and the US-only single The Long And Winding Road. It's still a solid track listing and the compilation has sold 3.9 million copies in the UK (as of May 2023).

The Beatles - 1 cover art. Picture: Press

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend: release date 8th May 1984

Issued three years after the death of the iconic reggae superstar Marley, this collection includes all 10 of Marley's UK Top 40 hits to that date, including I Shot The Sheriff, Stir It Up and Get Up Stand Up.

A reissue of One Love was issued just before the album came out, giving the collection a promotional boost, meaning the album has gone on to sell over 3.8 million copies in the UK.

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend cover art. Picture: Press

Madonna - The Immaculate Collection: release date 13th November 1990

Madge's first hits compilation arrived hot on the heels of the Blond Ambition Tour and the previous year's controversial Like A Prayer album. Beginning with the Lucky Star/Holiday single from September 1983, The Immaculate Collection includes two new tracks - the Lenny Kravitz co-write Justify My Love and Rescue Me.

The album has sold 11 million copies in the US and 3.7 million in the UK; its estimated that the compilation has shifted over 30 million copies worldwide.

Madonna - The Immaculate Collection cover art. Picture: Press

Michael Jackson - Number Ones: release date 18th November 2003

One More Chance, the final new single to be issued in Jacko's lifetime, was a major selling point of this collection of chart-toppers, which reaches back to 1979's Off The Wall album (plus a live version of the 1972 classic Ben). The album has been certified 10 times Platinum in the UK, meaning 3 million sales.

Michael Jackson - Number Ones cover art. Picture: Press

George Michael - Ladies And Gentlemen: release date 9th November 1998

Issued a few months after the singer's highly publicised arrest for "engaging in a lewd act" at a public toilet in Beverley Hills, the success of this compilation proved that such revelations didn't affect the former Wham! Star's popularity one jot - it spent eight weeks at the top of the charts.

Certified nine times Platinum, the album has sold 2.7 million copies, and after Michael died in 2016, it was revealed that all profits had gone to the HIV support charity The Terrence Higgins Trust.

George Michael - Ladies And Gentlemen cover art. Picture: Press

Elton John - The Very Best Of Elton John: release date 1st October 1990

Elt's artistic renaissance at the turn of the 90s was cemented by this impressive double-disc set that begins with Your Song in 1970 and winds up twenty years later with You Gotta Love Someone from 1990's Days Of Thunder soundtrack. By October 2023 the album has sold over 2.7 million copies, making it nine times Platinum.

Elton John - The Very Best Of Elton John cover art. Picture: Press

ABBA - Greatest Hits: release date 2nd April 1976

Originally issued in Scandinavia at the tail end of 1975, this compilation showcases the pop legends at the height of their stardom... And they hadn't even released Dancing Queen at this point!

The album was the best-selling album of 1976 in the UK, and Blighty's second-best selling album of the 70s after Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water. It's sold over 2.6 million copies to date in this country, plus a solid million in the US.

ABBA - Greatest Hits cover art. Picture: Press

Top 50 Richest Singers

Do you know that the richest singer in the world is worth almost $1 billion? Who is it? It's a tough one but there's no need to guess as we have the answer here in this Top 50 Richest Singers list. Really, please don't second guess it- it'll be like finding a needle in the haystack!

Rihanna Net Worth

$1.7 Billion

Rihanna is a Barbados-born singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $1.7 billion. That net worth makes Rihanna the richest female musician in the world. A large portion of her net worth is attributable to the value of her Fenty Beauty Line which is a partnership with luxury goods company LVMH. The brand generates north of $100 million in revenue. She owns 15% of the partnership.

Herb Alpert Net Worth

$850 Million

Herb Alpert is an American musician and music industry executive who has a net worth of $850 million. He is best known for being the trumpeter who led the Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass band in the '60s.

Madonna Net Worth

$850 Million

Madonna net worth: Madonna is an influential and best-selling recording musical artist who has a net worth of $850 million. Madonna, whose birth name is Madonna Louise Ciccone

Celine Dion Net Worth

$800 Million

Celine Dion is a famous Canadian singer, actress, songwriter, and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $800 million. Celine Dion is known for her powerful, technically skilled vocals.

Taylor Swift Net Worth

$800 Million

Taylor Swift net worth: Taylor Swift is an American singer, songwriter and producer who has a net worth of $800 million. As of this writing Taylor Swift has sold over 200 million albums worldwide.

Dolly Parton Net Worth

$650 Million

Dolly Parton is an American singer, songwriter, actress, author, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Dolly Parton's net worth is $650 million dollars. During her career she has sold more than 100 million albums as a solo artist alone. That does not include the hundreds of millions of albums that other artists have sold using her songs.

Julio Iglesias Net Worth

$600 Million

Julio Iglesias Net Worth: Julio Iglesias is a Spanish singer and songwriter who has a net worth of $600 million dollars. A prolific artist, Julio Iglesias has recorded 80 albums and sold nearly 300 million copies of his music internationally in 14 different languages.

Beyoncé Knowles Net Worth

$500 Million

Beyonce Knowles Net Worth: Beyonce Knowles is an American pop singer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and actress who has a net worth of

Gene Autry Net Worth

$500 Million

Gene Autry was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician, and rodeo performer who had a net worth equal to $500 million at the time of his death, after adjusting for inflation.

Gloria Estefan Net Worth

$500 Million

Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, producer, actress and entrepreneur. Gloria Estefan has a net worth of $500 million. She is considered to be the most successful crossover artist in music history and has been a longtime resident of Miami, Florida. As of this writing she has sold over 130 million records worldwide.

Victoria Beckham Net Worth

$450 Million

Victoria Beckham net worth: Victoria Beckham is a British singer, actress and philanthropist who has a net worth of $450 million. Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice

Barbra Streisand Net Worth

$400 Million

Barbra Streisand Net Worth: Barbra Streisand is an American singer, songwriter, actress and filmmaker from Brooklyn, New York who has a net worth of $400 million.

Garth Brooks Net Worth

$400 Million

Garth Brooks net worth: Garth Brooks is an American country music star who has a net worth of

Jennifer Lopez Net Worth

$400 Million

Jennifer Lopez is an American actress, singer, dancer, fashion designer, television producer, and businesswoman. As of this writing Jennifer Lopez's net worth is $400 million.

Johnny Mathis Net Worth

$400 Million

Johnny Mathis net worth: Johnny Mathis is an American singer who has a net worth of $400 million dollars. Johnny Mathis is best known for his hit songs and albums

Katy Perry Net Worth

$400 Million

Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter and television judge who has a net worth of $400 million. Katy Perry is one of the highest paid entertainers in the world

Shania Twain Net Worth

$400 Million

Shania Twain is a Canadian country pop singer-songwriter who has a net worth of $400 million dollars. Shania Twain is sometimes referred to as The Queen of Country Pop thanks to her status as one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Toby Keith Net Worth

$400 Million

Toby Keith Net Worth: Toby Keith is an American country singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer who has a net worth of $400 million.

Trisha Yearwood Net Worth

$400 Million

Trisha Yearwood Net Worth: Trisha Yearwood is a country singer and actress who has a net worth of $400 million.That is a combined net worth with her husband

Cher Net Worth

$360 Million

Cher Net Worth: Cher is an American singer and actress who has a net worth of $360 million. Cher was born in El Centro, California

Mariah Carey Net Worth

$340 Million

Mariah Carey is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and actress who has a net worth of $340 million. Mariah Carey is one of the 15 best-selling musical artists in history having sold over 200 million albums worldwide to date. She is the second best-selling female artists of all time, behind Madonna.

Lady Gaga Net Worth

$320 Million

Lady Gaga is an American pop singer, songwriter, and actress who has a net worth of $320 million. Gaga began her rise to fame performing in the rock music scene of New York City's Lower East Side in 2003.

George Strait Net Worth

$300 Million

George Strait is an American country music singer, music producer, and actor who has a net worth of $300 million. Celebrated as the "King of Country," he is considered one of the most popular recording artists of all time.

Justin Bieber Net Worth

$300 Million

Justin Bieber is a Canadian pop singer who has a net worth of $300 million. After being discovered on YouTube in 2007, Justin Bieber has gone on to sell over 150 million records worldwide in addition to conducting a number of extremely popular and lucrative global tours.

Plácido Domingo Net Worth

$300 Million

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Shakira Net Worth

$300 Million

Shakira net worth: Shakira is a Colombian-born international pop star who has a net worth of $300 million dollars. Shakira is a singer, songwriter, producer

Tom Jones Net Worth

$300 Million

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Dhani Harrison Net Worth

$275 Million

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Luciano Pavarotti Net Worth

$275 Million

Luciano Pavarotti net worth: Luciana Pavarotti was an Italian opera and popular music singer who had a net worth of $275 million dollars. Luciano Pavarotti

Bette Midler Net Worth

$250 Million

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Diana Ross Net Worth

$250 Million

Diana Ross net worth: Diana Ross is a legendary American pop singer and actress who has a net worth of $250 million dollars. An award winning singer, actress, and producer

Jose Carreras Net Worth

$250 Million

Jose Carreras net worth: Jose Carreras is a Spanish tenor who has a net worth of $250 million. Jose Carreras was born in Barcelona,

Justin Timberlake Net Worth

$250 Million

Justin Timberlake is an American singer, songwriter, actor and record producer who has a net worth of $250 million. Beginning his career as a child on the shows "Star Search" and "The All-New Mickey Mouse Club", he rose to fame as a member of the boy band NSYNC before transitioning to a successful solo music and acting career.

Kenny Rogers Net Worth

$250 Million

Kenny Rogers was an American country singer, songwriter, actor, producer, photographer, and entrepreneur who had a net worth of $250 million at the time of his death on March 20th, 2020.

Tim Rice Net Worth

$250 Million

Tim Rice net worth: Tim Rice is a British lyricist and author who has a net worth of $250 million dollars. Tim Rice was born in Amersham

Tina Turner Net Worth

$250 Million

Tina Turner net worth: Tina Turner was an American-born Swiss singer and songwriter who had a net worth of $250 million at the time of her death. Tina Turner is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.

Ariana Grande Net Worth

$240 Million

Ariana Grande net worth: Ariana Grande is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Ariana Grande's net worth is $240 million. Ariana Grande is one of the highest-paid and most-popular celebrities on the planet at the moment.

Adele Net Worth

$220 Million

Adele is an extremely popular and successful British singer/songwriter. Over the decade between 2009 and 2019, Adele earned over $400 million, primarily through record sales and concert performances. As of this writing, Adele has a net worth of $220 million.

Babyface Net Worth

$200 Million

Babyface Net Worth and Salary: Babyface, born Kenneth Brian Edmonds, is an American R&B musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer who has a net worth of $200 million. Babyface is one of the most prolific

Ed Sheeran Net Worth

$200 Million

Ed Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter who has a net worth of $200 million. He is one of the wealthiest and most successful singers in the world today. In a given year in when he is touring, Ed can easily earn $70 – $100 million.

Frank Sinatra Net Worth

$200 Million

Frank Sinatra was American musical superstar who had a net worth of $200 million. In the late 80s, during a period of decline, Sinatra's accountants calculated his net worth to be $14 million – a surprisingly small number.

Jessica Simpson Net Worth

$200 Million

Jessica Simpson is an American singer, actress, entrepreneur and TV personality who has a net worth of $200 million. She has earned separate fortunes as an actress, singer and more recently, retail entrepreneur.

Johnny Hallyday Net Worth

$200 Million

Johnny Hallyday net worth: Johnny Hallyday was a French singer and actor who had a net worth of $200 million at the time of

Lionel Richie Net Worth

$200 Million

Lionel Richie net worth: Lionel Richie is an American singer-songwriter who has a net worth of $200 million dollars. Lionel Richie is an incredibly gifted musician

Pink Net Worth

$200 Million

P!Nk net worth: Pink (stylized as P!Nk) is an American singer and songwriter who has a net worth of $200 million. Pink was born Alecia Beth Moore

Prince Net Worth

$200 Million

Prince was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor who had a net worth of $200 – $300 million at the time of his death in April 2016. The range of net worth depends largely on the value of his likeness rights and other intellectual property like his music copyrights.

The Backstreet Boys Net Worth

$200 Million

The Backstreet Boys net worth: The Backstreet Boys are an American pop group who have a net worth of $200 million dollars. The Backstreet Boys

Tony Bennett Net Worth

$200 Million

Tony Bennett net worth: Tony Bennett was an American singer, performer, and international icon who had a net worth of $200 million at the time of his death. Tony Bennett died on July 21, 2023 at the age of 96.

Engelbert Humperdinck Net Worth

$180 Million

Engelbert Humperdinck net worth: Engelbert Humperdinck a British Indian pop singer who has a net worth of

Janet Jackson Net Worth

$180 Million

Janet Jackson is an American singer, actress, producer, and choreographer who has a net worth of $180 million. She rose to prominence alongside her family members on the variety show "The Jacksons" in the late 1970s, and has enjoyed a successful solo career of her own.

Celebrity Net Worth