Sir Paul McCartney

How did the richest people on the planet make their billions? Find out with Good Bad Billionaire from the BBC World Service.

He enjoyed a spectacular rise in The Beatles, and went on to become a gold-plated member of British music royalty. Hear how Sir Paul McCartney, one of the last century’s defining songwriters, became the UK's first billionaire rock star along the way. But how much of Sir Paul McCartney’s cash comes from royalties, tours or his ownership of other artists’ back catalogues?

BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng track Macca’s journey from his working-class Liverpudlian roots, through his incredible career in music, to joining the global financial elite. Recorded live at the Crossed Wires Podcast Festival in Sheffield.

Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics, and success. There are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. From iconic celebrities and CEOs to titans of technology, the podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility. Simon and Zing put their subjects to the test with a playful, totally unscientific scorecard — then hand the verdict over to you: are they good, bad, or simply billionaires?

Good Bad Billionaire is a BBC Studios production for the BBC World Service
Produced by Mark Ward
The Editor is Paul Smith
The Senior Commissioning Producer is Sarah Green
The Commissioning Editor is Jon Manel