Oprah Winfrey Regains Most Powerful - And Richest - Celebrity Title
By: CityNews.ca Staff
Anyone who's ever watched her show knows one thing about Oprah Winfrey - you can't keep her down for long. The broadcasting phenomenon came in third last year on the Forbes Magazine list of most powerful celebrities in the world. But she's back on top in 2007. Winfrey's $260 million earnings over the past year isn't the only reason she's number one again. "The woman is making history every single year," notes associate editor and list compiler Lea Goldman. "It's not as if she's sitting on her laurels enjoying the show." Her expanding empire - which includes Rachael Ray's show and the Broadway production of The Colour Purple - make her one of the most powerful people in showbiz. Not to mention amongst the richest.
So if the Chicago based mogul is at the top, who's beneath her? It's Tiger Woods, who shot a $100 million on the course this year, and whose endorsement deals keep him near the summit.
The lady in third is one you might not expect. Madonna didn't even make the 2006 rankings, but she's back with a vengeance thanks to another re-invention and her "Confessions" tour, which wound up being the highest grossing music event by any female artist in history. She pulled in $72 million for her efforts. And her infamous adoption in Malawi only added to her star power.
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Normally finishing in fourth place means no one will remember who you are. But nobody will be able to forget the Rolling Stones, who are still on the Jagger-ed edge all these years later with $88 million.
Brad Pitt rounds out the Top 5. He not only snagged $35 million during the year but also came away with something else beyond price - his much publicized relationship with Angelina Jolie. "You could not escape Brad Pitt this year," Goldman agrees. "The guy was ubiquitous and certainly because of his personal life and his new family, coupled with his earnings, which aren't shabby ... it really was a remarkable year for him."
There's only one Canadian in the rankings. Celine Dion made it to 20th place, with a 'paltry' $45 million. But somehow, we expect her heart will go on.
The list measures influence and power, not just finances, which is why some who earned less were ahead of others who made more. But just as important is who didn't get mentioned. Conspicuously absent are names you would have seen in past installments - like Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and the recently jailed Paris Hilton. "We look at celebrities as brands and when you talk about those girls, you're talking about diminished brand value," Goldman concludes. "It's not enough to just be a headline, and it's not enough to pocket a paycheque - you have to have both."