The media mogul and philanthropist regains the top spot in the business magazine's Celebrity 100 list.
- Jun 27, 2013
AceShowbiz - Even an $88 million income drop last year could not pull down talk show host Oprah Winfrey from the top spot in Forbes' list of the Most Powerful Celebrities for 2013. The 59-year-old media mogul is back at the No. 1 position in the business magazine's annual Celebrity 100 ranking after two consecutive years at the runner-up spot.
Winfrey's return to the No. 1 slot somewhat symbolically depicts her recent recovery in terms of running her own network. From an estimated $330 million in losses at the onset, her Oprah Winfrey Network may stand to turn some profit by the end of this year, boosted by must-see shows like that of her two-part interview with disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.
Despite not being the highest earner in the list, Winfrey's wealth and stature thrust her to the top, edging out other top female celebrities in the top ten as Lady GaGa (No. 2 from being last year's No. 1), Beyonce Knowles (No. 4), Madonna (No. 5), Taylor Swift (No. 6), and fellow TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres (No. 10). Unlike Forbes' other net worth-based lists, the Celebrity 100 is decided on combined earnings and overall multi-media presence, particularly how the celebrity is viewed by American consumers.
Completing the top ten most powerful celebrities this year are Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg (No. 3), veteran rockers Bon Jovi (No. 7), tennis champion Roger Federer (No. 8) and pop superstar Justin Bieber (No. 9).
