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Los Angeles - Madonna's MDNA Tour has been named the highest grossing of 2012.
The Material Girl singer's 72 shows in the year from 9 November 2011, to 13 November 2012 were all sell outs, making $228 406 085 according to Billboard magazine.
The world tour - which started in Israel in May and ends on Saturday in Argentina - has been seen by over 1.6 million people.
The MDNA tour has proved controversial, with Madonna baring her buttocks to raise money for victims of Hurricane Sandy at one date and writing a message of support for US President Barack Obama on her back at another.
Criticism
Her decision to brandish imitation weapons has also been controversial, attracting criticism from anti-weapons campaigners, although she insists they were only used metaphorically.
She said: "It's true there is a lot of violence in the beginning of the show and sometimes the use of fake guns - but they are used as metaphors.
"I do not condone violence or the use of guns. Rather they are symbols of wanting to appear strong and wanting to find a way to stop feelings that I find hurtful or damaging."
Behind Madonna on the highest grossing list was Bruce Springsteen, who grossed $199 371 791 from 72 shows, 54 of which were sold out. Third on the list was former Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters, who made $186 466 703 from 72 dates of his The Wall Live tour.
Madonna's arch rival, Lady Gaga, came in sixth with her Born This Way Ball grossing $124 879 545 from 65 sold out shows.
Billboard list of 20 highest grossing tours 2012:
1. Madonna ($228m )
2. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band ($199m)
3. Roger Waters ($186m)
4. Michael Jackson: THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque Du Soleil ($147m)
5. Coldplay ($147m)
6. Lady Gaga ($124m)
7. Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw ($96m)
8. Van Halen ($54m)
9. Jay-Z & Kanye West ($46m)
10. Andre Rieu ($46m)
11. Dave Matthews Band ($41m)
12. Barbra Streisand ($40m)
13. Jason Aldean ($39m)
14. Lady Antebellum ($38m)
15. Red Hot Chili Peppers ($33m)
16. Brad Paisley ($33m)
17. Nickelback ($33m)
18. Trans-Siberian Orchestra ($33m)
19. Elton John ($32m)
20. Justin Bieber ($30m)
The Material Girl singer's 72 shows in the year from 9 November 2011, to 13 November 2012 were all sell outs, making $228 406 085 according to Billboard magazine.
The world tour - which started in Israel in May and ends on Saturday in Argentina - has been seen by over 1.6 million people.
The MDNA tour has proved controversial, with Madonna baring her buttocks to raise money for victims of Hurricane Sandy at one date and writing a message of support for US President Barack Obama on her back at another.
Criticism
Her decision to brandish imitation weapons has also been controversial, attracting criticism from anti-weapons campaigners, although she insists they were only used metaphorically.
She said: "It's true there is a lot of violence in the beginning of the show and sometimes the use of fake guns - but they are used as metaphors.
"I do not condone violence or the use of guns. Rather they are symbols of wanting to appear strong and wanting to find a way to stop feelings that I find hurtful or damaging."
Behind Madonna on the highest grossing list was Bruce Springsteen, who grossed $199 371 791 from 72 shows, 54 of which were sold out. Third on the list was former Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters, who made $186 466 703 from 72 dates of his The Wall Live tour.
Madonna's arch rival, Lady Gaga, came in sixth with her Born This Way Ball grossing $124 879 545 from 65 sold out shows.
Billboard list of 20 highest grossing tours 2012:
1. Madonna ($228m )
2. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band ($199m)
3. Roger Waters ($186m)
4. Michael Jackson: THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque Du Soleil ($147m)
5. Coldplay ($147m)
6. Lady Gaga ($124m)
7. Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw ($96m)
8. Van Halen ($54m)
9. Jay-Z & Kanye West ($46m)
10. Andre Rieu ($46m)
11. Dave Matthews Band ($41m)
12. Barbra Streisand ($40m)
13. Jason Aldean ($39m)
14. Lady Antebellum ($38m)
15. Red Hot Chili Peppers ($33m)
16. Brad Paisley ($33m)
17. Nickelback ($33m)
18. Trans-Siberian Orchestra ($33m)
19. Elton John ($32m)
20. Justin Bieber ($30m)
