The "Shake It Off" singer, 26, came ahead of boy band One Direction, currently on a break, who took second place with $110 million.

"The pop superstar smashed the Rolling Stones' North American touring record, grossing $200 million on the continent en route to a quarter-billion dollars in total for her 1989 World Tour," Forbes said in a statement.

With earnings of $95 million, American author James Patterson came in third. U.S. television personality Dr Phil McGraw and Real Madrid soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo were tied fourth with earnings of $88 million, the magazine said.

The other top 10 spots were held by American comedian Kevin Hart, British singer Adele and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi alongside U.S. radio hosts Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh.