First, an R—Fe—B based rare-earth sintered magnet body including, as a main phase, crystal grains of an R2Fe14B type compound that includes a light rare-earth element RL, which is at least one of Nd and Pr, as a major rare-earth element R is provided. Next, an M layer, including a metallic element M that is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In, Sn, Pb, Bi, Zn and Ag, is deposited on the surface of the sintered magnet body and then an RH layer, including a heavy rare-earth element RH that is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Dy, Ho and Tb, is deposited on the M layer. Thereafter, the sintered magnet body is heated, thereby diffusing the metallic element M and the heavy rare-earth element RH from the surface of the magnet body deeper inside the magnet.