Most US multi-platinum albums by a female artist

With 12 Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)-certified multi-platinum albums apiece, in recognition of US sales of at least 2 million units, Madonna (b. Madonna Ciccone) and Barbra Streisand (both USA) share the record for a female artist. Madonna’s Immaculate Collection (1990; certified 11x multi-platinum, for sales of 11 million units, on 5 May 2023) and Like a Virgin (1984; 10 million units) are top of the pops for the “Material Girl”, both having earned diamond certificates.

Meanwhile, four Streisand albums have been RIAA-certified for sales of 5 million units – A Christmas Album (1967), Barbra Streisand’s Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1978), Guilty (1980) and Memories (1981). The only acts with more than 12 US multi-platinum albums are The Beatles (26), Elvis Presley (25), Garth Brooks (17), Elton John (14), Led Zeppelin (14), Billy Joel (13) and George Strait (13), while AC/DC, Aerosmith, Neil Diamond, Pink Floyd and Van Halen have all achieved 12 US multi-platinum albums. Mariah Carey is the next-best female on 11.

Madonna: 20 gold, 17 platinum, 12 multi-platinum, 2 diamond albums, 65.5 million certified units sold. Streisand: 51 gold, 30 platinum, 12 multi-platinum, 0 diamond albums, 68.5 million certified units sold. Gold: 500,000 units sold; Platinum: 1,000,000; Multi-platinum: 2,000,000; Diamond: 10,000,000. Figures correct as of 17 September 2023.