Some say money can't buy happiness but, if it could, Oprah Winfrey would probably stand a good chance of purchasing all the happiness in the world. 'Forbes' magazine just released its first ever top 20 of the most wealthy women in showbiz and, surprise!, surprise!, the woman who has been called by many the Queen of Television came on top.
With an estimated worth (the poll took into consideration the stars' career earnings) of $1.5 billion and a career as diversified as it can get (included a syndicated satellite radio show, the television show that brought her worldwide fame, a magazine and other investments), spanning over a period of more than 30 years, Oprah was again crowned the most powerful woman in America.
The second spot went to the woman who created the immortal wizard boy Harry Potter sitting in a cafe to avoid freezing in her unheated apartment. J.K. Rowling's wealth was estimated at $1 billion and, despite being only second, her achievement is even greater than Oprah's.
Rowling began writing the first book of the 'Harry Potter' series (which sold in over $3.1 billion worth of copies) in 1995, which means that she made more money that the talk show host whose career, as it has already been mentioned, is extending over a longer period of time.
Third place also went to a television star, Martha Stewart. Despite her legal troubles and a short period spent in jail, Martha still managed to hold on to her vast fortune, ending up at number three with $638 million. It really pays to spend that much time in the kitchen, doesn't it?
Madonna, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson were the representatives from the music industry for the next four positions of the chart, with fortunes estimated between $325 million and $150 million. The top ten is rounded up by Julia Roberts (who is still Hollywood's number one girl), Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston (in 2006, she also made her way into the top 10 of best paid actresses for a single part).
The complete top 20 of the most financially powerful women in today's showbiz is below:
1) Oprah Winfrey, $1.5 billion
2) J.K. Rowling, $1 billion
3) Martha Stewart, $638 million
4) Madonna, $325 million
5) Celine Dion, $250 million
6) Mariah Carey, $225 million
7) Janet Jackson, $150 million
8) Julia Roberts, $140 million
9) Jennifer Lopez, $110 million
10) Jennifer Aniston, $110 million
11) Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, $100 million
12) Britney Spears, $100 million
13) Judge Judy (Sheindlin), $95 million
14) Sandra Bullock, $85 million
15) Cameron Diaz, $75 million
16) Gisele Bundchen, $70 million
17) Ellen DeGeneres, $65 million
18) Nicole Kidman, $60 million
19) Christina Aguilera, $60 million
20) Renee Zellweger, $45 million
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