Potter star Watson, 19, is top female Hollywood earner

TEENAGE Harry Potter actress Emma Watson has been named Hollywood’s highest-paid female star.

The 19-year-old is said to have raked in $30 million (€34m) last year – more than well-established actresses like Cameron Diaz – the only other woman in the overall top 20.

The list was compiled by Vanity Fair magazine and saw Watson come 14th overall. As well as starring in the Harry Potter films, university student Watson has also fronted adverts for fashion brand Burberry.

Watson, who is also the youngest on the list, had earnings recorded at $30m, having bagged $15m each for her two most recent outings as Harry Potter’s love interest Hermione.

Watson also ranked above Sarah Jessica Parker and Angelina Jolie in the magazine’s list of Hollywood’s top 40 earners.

Her Harry Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe was placed sixth on the overall list, with his 2009 earnings put at more than $41m.

Another Harry Potter star, Rupert Grint, was 15th on the list.

Transformers film maker Michael Bay topped the survey, with his income thought to be more than $125m. Steven Spielberg was in second place with more than £85m estimated earnings.

James Cameron, whose record-breaking sci-fi blockbuster Avatar is a front runner in this year’s Oscar nominations, was placed fourth.

The list is in the March issue of Vanity Fair, which is on sale now.