Bono has become the world’s richest pop star after amassing nearly $US1.5 billion ($A2.10 billion), in part thanks to a savvy investment in Facebook.

The U2 frontman bought a 2.3 per cent share in the social media site for $US89.6 million in 2009, with his investment group Elevation Partners, the UK’s Sunday Mirror reported.

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According to the Mirror, the investment has made the singer more in six years than his entire career as a musician.

As a result, Bono overtakes Beatles legend Paul McCartney ($US1.16 billion) as the world’s richest pop star.

Madonna is the third highest earner, worth an estimated $1.12b.

Facebook went public and was floated on the stock market in 2012, and is now worth around $US200 billion.