Oprah is world’s most powerful celeb

OPRAH WINFREY is the world’s most powerful celebrity, according to a list compiled by business magazine Forbes.

Fri, 17 Jun, 2005 - 01:00

Sherna Noah

The 51-year-old talk show host is followed in second place in the annual rankings by golfer Tiger Woods.

Actor turned producer and director Mel Gibson, last year’s most powerful person, is third, followed by Star Wars supremo George Lucas.

Elton John is the highest-ranking Briton on the list, in ninth place, with an estimated paycheque in the past 12 months of $44 million (€36.4m).

The singer beats Hollywood star Tom Cruise - whose relationship with Batman Begins star Katie Holmes has put him in the limelight.

Cruise is in 10th place, with $31m (€25.6m), followed by Brad Pitt, with $25m (€20.7m).

As well as looking at a celebrity’s earnings over the past year, Forbes examines Internet presence, press clippings, magazine cover stories and mentions on TV and radio.

Oprah, whose talk show is watched by 30 million viewers each week in the US alone, and who was third place last year, has estimated earnings of $225m (€185.9m).

Director Steven Spielberg comes sixth with $80m (€66.1m), followed by Johnny Depp on $37m (€30.6) and Madonna on $50m (€41.3m).

Harry Potter author JK Rowling is down 16 places from six to 22 this year.

David Beckham has fallen four places from 22 to 26, and his earnings last year are estimated to be $32.5m (€26.9m).

The Desperate Housewives stars are one place above him at 25.

Rocker Rod Stewart is in 32nd place and supermodel Kate Moss 93rd.

The Rolling Stones, who were fifth last year have dropped out of the top 100, along with Jim Carrey and Tom Hanks, and former Friends stars Courtney Cox and Lisa Kudrow.

Top 20: most influential celebrities

1: Oprah Winfrey.

2: Tiger Woods.

3: Mel Gibson.

4: George Lucas.

5: Shaquille O’Neal.

6: Steven Spielberg.

7: Johnny Depp.

8: Madonna.

9: Elton John.

10: Tom Cruise.

11: Brad Pitt.