Mariah Carey’s 1994 hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has turned her into the “Queen of Christmas”. Every December it rockets back into the charts, and sends another massive royalty cheque her way. Nearly three decades later, it’s still one of the most profitable holiday songs ever recorded.

Reports estimate Mariah Carey earns around $3 million every year from the song in royalties alone. Over the decades, the track has generated tens of millions — Forbes once estimated about $60 million in royalties since its 1994 release. Some estimates put total lifetime royalties even higher, with one report noting the song had generated over $80 million by 2024.

Some history:

It was released in 1994, the song was part of her album Merry Christmas. It wasn’t an instant No. 1 — it actually didn’t top the Billboard Hot 100 until 2019, 25 years after release, thanks to the streaming era. Since then, it’s become a seasonal juggernaut, now holding the record as the longest‑running No. 1 song in Billboard history with 20 total weeks at the top across multiple Decembers.

It has sold over 50 million copies worldwide!

Now you know!