World’s Top 20 Divas
by Sheldon Rocha Leal
Just over two years ago I wrote a Medium article about the world’s top-selling female recording artists: “The World’s Top Divas”. I based the article on extensive research I conducted on the sales of each individual artist included on the list. This was difficult at times as some of the sales figures, of the older artists, in particular, were not as accurate as the figures of the younger stars.
I only considered solo, female recording artists, who attained sales figures of over 100million records (that is a combination of studio album, video albums, EP and single shipments). I interrogated various sources to determine the artist’s overall record sales and although at times it is claimed that artists have attained sales of over 100million, I only included those whose sales I could verify.
The reason I decided to update my 2017 article is because, as with anything in the music industry, a lot has changed in the last two years. Some of the artists on my old list have subsequently released follow up albums and additionally my research has turned up new data, which has shaken-up the original Diva lineup. My original list consisted of 14 artists, my new list includes 20. After refining my searches, I discovered that there are many inconsistencies in reports listing the top-selling artists of all time and that some artists who should be included on the lists have either been overlooked or their sales have been under quoted. Therefore a few new artists have been added to my list.
On the other hand, three divas whose record sales are reputed to be over 100million units did not make the list, as after extensive research I wasn’t able to verify the claims. One is the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer, whose verified record sales total 32million, the other is the Queen of Latin music, Gloria Estefan, whose records sales I was able to verify up to 75million records and lastly the country legend Linda Ronstadt, whose verified record sales total nearly 60million units.
With that out of the way, I now proceed to the crux of the present article, the Top 20 selling divas of all time…
20. Dolly Parton (73 yoa) +100million
Dolly Parton is an iconic Country musician and the Queen of Country Music. Her career can be split into two large eras, one as a member of the duo Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton and one as a solo artist. In her career, she has released a combined (including Porter Wagoner) 76 studio, 199 compilation, 6 live, 5 video and 5 soundtrack albums, along with 1 EP. She is a highly decorated songstress having been honoured by nearly every major music organization in the world including 9 Grammies. Although I was only able to verify approximately 17million units in album and 7 million units in single shipments, for a total of 24million records shipped internationally, the Queen of Country was awarded a plaque commemorating the 100million record threshold at the Glastonbury Music Festival in 2014 by the RIAA. Her song “I Will Always Love You” is one of the biggest selling singles of all time, shipping over 20million units worldwide.
19. Lady Dynamite TT: Tina Turner (79 yoa) +100million
As with Dolly Parton, Tina Turner’s career can be split into two broad eras: one as a member of Ike and Tina Turner and one as a solo recording artist. She is another artist that has amassed a massive combined repertoire (including Ike Turner): 34 studio, 10 live, 32 compilation, and 17 video albums, along with 2 soundtracks and 139 singles. It is claimed that Tina Turner has shipped nearly 200million records worldwide, the closest I got to the number was 91,7million. It would, however, not be inconceivable that she has reached the milestone as my numbers don’t include the sales of all her records, especially the ones released with Ike Turner. As an icon of the music industry, lady dynamite (TT) has been honoured by nearly every major music body in the world, including being inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Kennedy Center Honour and 12 Grammy Awards.
18. Aussie Diva: Olivia Newton-John (70 yoa) +100million
Olivia Newton-John is another famous country diva, who is better known for success attained after appearing in the smash hit movie, “Grease”. The Australian native was initially not embraced by the Country fraternity in the USA, who saw her as an imposter. The diva has thus far released 28 studio, 6 live, 17 compilation albums, 4 soundtracks and 71 singles. Although I was only able to verify 92million shipped records, it is highly probable that the diva has shipped more than 100million records internationally, considering that my numbers do not include a vast number of releases. Newton-John has an Order of the British Empire and Australia, been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and possesses 4 Grammy Awards. Her duet with John Travolta, “You’re The One That I Want”, is one of the biggest selling singles of all time, having shipped over 15million units internationally.
17. Punk Rock Diva: P!nk (39 yoa) 100,8million
What I love about this female rocker is that for years she has done her own thing and hasn’t really bought into mainstream trends or fads. By remaining true to her art she has managed to amass a massive repertoire and huge record sales. She has released 8 studio, 5 compilation, 3 live albums and 36 singles. That’s excluding material released as a part of the duo You+Me, who have released one studio album and three singles. For these efforts she has been honoured with 3 Grammy Awards, 7 MTV Video Music Awards including the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award (recognizing accomplishments in music and film), 2 Brit Awards, 6 Billboard Music Awards and 1 Emmy. Although some sites claim that she has only shipped a total of 90million units, I was able to confirm 100,833,000 records shipped internationally: 51,2million singles and 49,6million albums.
16. Queen of Country Pop: Shania Twain (53 yoa) 101million
Shania Twain is one of four country divas featured on the list. The chanteuse possesses the biggest selling album by a solo female artist in history as well as the biggest selling album by a Canadian artist. “Come On Over” (released in 1997), has to date has shipped over 40million units internationally. She has released 5 studio, 2 live, 3 remix and 2 compilation albums along with 40 singles. According to my calculations, she has shipped over 91million albums and 10million singles in her career, adding up to over 101million records shipped globally. For her efforts, she has won 5 Grammy Awards, 13 Juno awards and been inducted onto various halls of fame including the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her former husband, Robert “Mutt” Lange, a South African, produced and co-wrote the majority of her biggest hits.
15. Eccentric Diva: Lady Gaga (33 yoa) 114,5million
It can never be said that the eccentric diva is a “one trick pony”. She started her career as a Euro Dance diva, then became an enigmatic popstar, explored Jazz in a studio album with the legendary crooner Tony Bennett and most recently as an Academy Award-winning singer in the movie “A Star Is Born”. The latter soundtrack has shipped just over 4million units. In her short career, she has released 5 studio, 3 compilation, 3 video and compilation albums, 1 soundtrack, 4 EPs and 38 singles. She has shipped over 30million albums and 83million singles, bringing her total record tally to just over 114,500,000. As a result of her overwhelming popularity and success, she has been honoured by various bodies and her awards include 2 Golden Globes, 1 Oscar, 1 BAFTA, 3 Brits and 9 Grammy Awards. She also possesses 12 Guinness World Records.
14. Pop Diva: Katy Perry (34 yoa) 124million
Katy Perry started her career as a Contemporary Christian Music singer in 2001. By 2008 she had changed her style and pursued a more mainstream musical approach. Her 2nd studio album, “Teenage Dream” (2010), has the distinction of being the second album in history to produce 5 No1 singles. The 1st time it happened was in 1987 when Michael Jackson produced 5 No1 singles from his internationally renowned album “Bad”. It is also the 3rd album in history to produce 8 top 5 singles. Katy has released 1 live and 5 studio albums, 2 EPs and 35 singles. This has culminated in the shipment of nearly 19million albums and 105million singles, for a grand total of 124,300,000 records shipped internationally. As a result of her immense success, she has been honoured with 5 MTV Music Video, 1 Brit, 1 Juno and 5 Billboard Music Awards. Added to this she has attained 4 Guinness World Records.
13. The New Queen of Hip-Hop: Nicki Minaj (36 yoa) 125million
Nicki Minaj is the only rapper on the list. Unlike some of the older divas, she has accumulated the majority of her sales from singles and mostly from singles on which she has featured. She has had a relatively short career, but in the 15 years in which she has been active, she has released 4 studio, 3 compilation albums and 120 singles of which 40 are singles on which she appeared as the main artist. This has culminated in the shipment of 7million albums, nearly 49million singles as a main artist and nearly 74million singles as a featured artist, for a total of 125,800,000 records shipped internationally. Her output has been prolific and as a result, she has accrued a number of chart records. I have included the sales of her featured singles as I have included the sales of singles and albums by artists that have featured in other bands (e.g Beyoncé in Destiny’s Child). Nicki Minaj possesses 6 American Music and 1 Brit Award (but no Grammies).
12. Queen of R&B: Janet Jackson (53 yoa) 126million
Janet Jackson is a member of the first family of Soul. Her brothers were in the iconic Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson is considered the King of Pop. She has, however, stood her ground and carved a highly successful recording and touring career. In the 46 years since she started her entertainment career she has appeared in 5 major motion pictures, 3 TV series, completed 8 world tours and recently commenced her first Vegas residence, “Metamorphosis”. Additionally, she has released 11 studio, 3 compilation, 8 video albums and 78 singles, which have shipped over 83million albums and 43million singles for a total tally of 126,416,000 records. Various prestigious bodies have, therefore, honoured her including an induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, 11 American Music, 11 Billboard Music, 9 MTV Music Video (including the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award), 5 Grammy Awards and 9 Guinness World Records.
11. Mother of Divas: Barbra Streisand (77yoa) 130million
In her nearly 60 year career, she has explored the world of Broadway, movies, music and even directed some movies. She is one of the most versatile divas on the list, which probably explains her honorific title: Diva of Divas. The diva has released 36 studio, 9 live, 11 compilation, 10 video and 15 soundtrack albums, as well as 117 singles and has appeared in 19 major motion pictures. In her long career, her albums have shipped over 119million units, whilst singles have shipped just over 11million units, for a grand total of 130,891,000 records shipped. She has won 8 Grammy Awards, 1 Tony, 1 Emmy, 2 Oscars and 4 Golden Globes. Barbra is one of 21 people in history to be known as an EGOT, individuals who have won the 4 main awards in the entertainments arts: Emmy (television); Grammy (music); Oscar (movie); Tony (stage). She has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kennedy Center Honour and the Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres from the French government.
10. British Queen of Soul: Adele (31 yoa) 142million
Adele is the biggest selling artist of the last 10 years, with the greatest proportion of sales to output. Her last two albums, “21” and “25” have both shipped more than 20million units each. She has started a solo revolution in pop music that has changed the way in which business is conducted. In her relatively short career over 142million of her records have been shipped globally: 79million singles and 63million albums. Thus far she has released 1 video and 3 studio albums, 2 EPs as well as 16 singles. So as one can imagine she has broken a few records along the way and currently holds 11 Guinness World Records, including the fact that her album “25” achieved the biggest first-week sales in history (over 5million units in its opening week). As a result, she has been honoured by various bodies and possesses an Academy Award as well as a Golden Globe, 15 Grammy, 3 Juno and 9 Brit Awards.
9. Princess of Pop: Britney Spears (37 yoa) 149million
Although Britney has struggled with various personal issues in the last decade, she started her career with a bang. Her first 4 albums shipped nearly 70million units and “Baby One More a Time”, her debut single, shipped over 10million units globally, making it one of the biggest selling singles of all time. Since 1992 (her official debut), she has released 9 studio, 7 compilation albums, 3 EPs and 49 singles. From this output over 83million albums have been shipped internationally, along with 65million singles for a total record count of 149,460,000. She has also conducted 10 world tours, two Las Vegas residences and appeared in 6 motion pictures. For her efforts, she has been awarded the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award as well as 6 other MTV Music Video Awards, 1 Grammy, 1 American Music and 7 Billboard Music Awards, along with 7 Guinness World Records.
8. Queen B: Beyoncé Knowles (37 yoa) 162million
Beyoncé started her career as the lead singer of the all-girl group, Destiny’s Child. The band became one of the most successful all-girl groups of all time after peaking at No1 with 4 singles and 2 albums (that’s not Supremes success, but it’s still good). As a band, Destiny’s Child released 4 studio, 4 compilation and 3 video albums, 1 EP and 23 singles. In total Beyoncé has been the lead vocalist on 10 studio, 5 live, 7 compilation, 1 collaborative and 1 soundtrack albums, along with 6 EPs and 87 singles. Her total shipments equal 78million albums and 83million singles for a total of 162,426,000 records shipped globally. Beyoncé is another MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard recipient. Along with the latter honour she also possesses 26 Grammy, 13 American Music, 25 Billboard Music, 28 MTV Music Video and 4 Brit Awards, along with 2 Guinness World Records.
7. America’s Sweetheart: Taylor Swift (29 yoa) 180million
Taylor Swift is the youngest and highest ranked country music diva on the list, although many of her recent offerings have been more pop than country. She has been active since 2004 (15 years) and in that time she has released 6 studio, 4 live, 4 video albums, 2 EPs and 68 singles. Thus far over 131million of her singles and 49million albums have been shipped internationally, for a total count of 180,786,000 records shipped. She has also conducted 5 world tours generating nearly US$1billion on the road. As a result of her meteoric rise to success she has been awarded handsomely by various awarding bodies: 20 American Music, 17 Billboard Music, 6 Brit, 7 MTV Music Video, 12 Country Music, 10 Grammy awards, as well as 6 Guinness World Records.
6. Queen of Christmas: Mariah Carey (49 yoa) 204million
Mariah Carey’s five-octave vocal range is lauded as one of the biggest on this list. She started her career as a backing vocalist for Brenda K Starr, whose hit song “I Still Believe” she later covered. Today she is better known for her hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, which is considered the 10th biggest selling singles of all time and the biggest Christmas hit in 60 years. It has shipped over 16million units globally and is a perennial hit on the charts. Her song “One Sweet Day” (duet with Boyz II Men) is tied with Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” (which features Justin Bieber) for the longest stay at No1 in US history (16 weeks). The diva also has more No1 singles in the USA than any other female artist in history (18). In her career, she has released 15 studio, 3 compilation, 1 Remix, 4 Greatest Hits albums, 2 EPs and 98 singles. Her albums have shipped 156million units and singles have shipped 48 million units internationally for a total shipment of 204,801,000 records.
5. The Voice: Whitney Houston (48 yoa) 206million
Whitney Houston assisted in making R&B music accessible to a much larger audience, and as a result, experienced major commercial success. She was, however, not only a successful singer but also a successful model and actress, having appeared in 4 major motion pictures, of which “The Bodyguard” was her biggest success. The soundtrack holds the distinction of being the biggest selling soundtrack of all time, 45million units shipped and the lead single, “I Will Always Love You” is one of the biggest selling singles of all time, 20million units shipped globally. In her career, she released 7 studio, 1 live, 6 compilation and 2 soundtrack albums, along with 7 EPs and 57 singles. In total over 144million albums and 53million singles were shipped globally, for a total tally of 206,395,000 records. According to the Guinness World Records, Whitney is the most awarded female musician in history. She possesses 15 Guinness World Records, 22 American Music, 16 Billboard Music, 1 Emmy and 6 Grammy awards.
4. Queen of the Power Ballad: Céline Dion (51 yoa) 223million
The French-Canadian Chanteuse started her career at age 12 and was eventually discovered on the Eurovision Song Contest aged 20, where she won whilst representing Switzerland. Her first English language album was released two years later in 1990. Today she is one of the hardest working divas in the business, conducting two fully-fledged recording careers, in English and French. Out of the post-1980s divas, she has the biggest output: 26 studio, 7 live and 19 compilation albums along with 157 singles. This has culminated in the shipment of 183million albums and 40million singles for a total of 223,528,000 records shipped globally. She has also conducted 15 world tours and 2 Las Vegas residencies and is one of the highest grossing touring acts of all time. To honour this success she has been awarded 7 American Music, 7 Billboard Music, 1 Brit, 5 Grammy and 20 Juno Awards. She has also been awarded the Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres and has been inducted onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
3. Goddess of Pop: Cher (73 yoa) 232million
Cher is one of the most iconic Pop divas in music history. Her music career, like Tina Turner and Beyoncé, can be subdivided into two parts, one as a solo artist and one as part of the Sonny & Cher duo. Additionally, she had a very successful career as an actress, appearing in 18 major motion pictures. Her career dates back to 1963, a span of 56 years. As a member of Sonny & Cher she released 5 studio, 2 live, 7 compilation albums and 1 soundtrack, as well as 21 singles. In total, she’s appeared as a lead vocalist on 31 studio, 5 live, 16 compilation, 5 video and 5 soundtrack albums, along with 135 singles. This has culminated in combined shipments of 127million albums and 104million singles, for total records shipments of 232,600,000. She is also one of the highest grossing touring acts in history, having conducted 7 world tours and 3 Las Vegas residencies. For her efforts, she has received various honours including three of the four EGOT prizes: Emmy, Grammy and Oscar (she’s missing a Tony). She also owns 3 Golden Globes, 2 Guinness World Records, received a Kennedy Center Honour and has been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2. Caribbean Queen: Rihanna (31 yoa) 275million
Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados and is one of the country’s biggest exports. In a relatively short period of time, she has accumulated 14 No1 singles and the shipment of over 275million records internationally: 238million singles and 36million albums. Rihanna has seamlessly integrated Caribbean and Pop music to create a brand of music that has made her one of the wealthiest female musicians in the world. Her net worth is currently valued at US$600million by Forbes Magazine. Her career output includes 8 studio, 2 compilation and 2 remix albums, along with 71 singles. Additionally, she has appeared in 7 major motion pictures and conducted 6 world tours, generating nearly US$300million in concert tickets. As a result of this immense success, she has been honoured by various bodies and therefore possesses a treasure trove of Awards: 13 American Music, 12 Billboard Music, 9 Grammy, 1 Juno, 2 Brit and 6 MTV Music Video Awards. She also holds 6 Guinness World Records.
1. Queen of Pop: Madonna (60 yoa) 353million
The Queen of Pop is reaching her 40th year in the music business and has just released her 14th studio album, “Madame X”. In that time she has been a force to be reckoned with, on stage, screen, fashion and airwaves. She has appeared in 21 major motion pictures and directed an additional 2. She also appeared on Broadway in 1988 in a production of “Speed The Plough” and conducted 10 world tours (with her 11th commencing in September 2019), generating US$1,4billion at the box-office (the highest earning solo touring artist in history). She was also a recording label owner in the 1990s. Maverick her private label was at one time the most powerful artist-owned label in the world, on which she discovered Alanis Morissette and The Prodigy. Madonna has also released 14 studio, 5 live, 6 compilation and 3 soundtrack albums, along with 115 singles. These records have shipped a combined 352,945,000 units globally: 124million singles and 228million albums. As a result of her immense success she has accumulated a plethora of awards and honours: 3 American Music, 5 Billboard Music, 10 BMI, 2 Brit, 2 Golden Globe, 7 Grammy, 2 Juno, 20 MTV Music Video (including the Video Vanguard Award before it was renamed in Michael Jackson’s honour) Awards, as well as 16 Guinness World Records and an induction onto the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.
The top 20 divas shave shipped over 3,2billion records in their careers, cementing their influence on the music business and on global music trends and culture. They have been influential in various genres including Reggae, Dancehall, Pop, R&B, Soul, Country, Broadway, Rock, EDM and Hip-Hop. What is fascinating to note is that many of the divas have not rested on their laurels and have gone on to explore different media and businesses in the course of their career progression. This is evidenced by the fact that 6 of the 20 divas have been awarded the MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for their achievements in music and film: Madonna (1986); Janet Jackson (1990); Britney Spears (2011); Beyoncé (2014); Rihanna (2016); P!nk (2017). Another thing to note is that out of the 20 divas, only one is deceased and I believe that the remaining divas will continue to exert their influence on the music business for years to come, and I will continue to monitor their success, so there might even be a third instalment of this article.
