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NEW YORK - US talk show host and media mogul Oprah Winfrey has earned an estimated US$1.5 billion (NZ$2.15bn) during her career, putting her at the top of a Forbes magazine list of the wealthiest women in entertainment.
Runner-up to Winfrey on Forbes' new top-20 ranking was British author J.K. Rowling, creator of boy wizard Harry Potter, with career earnings of $1 billion, followed by lifestyle guru Martha Stewart with $638 million and pop singer Madonna with $325 million.
Forbes said to make its top-20 list these female megastars needed a minimum net worth of $45 million amassed over the course of their careers.
Following is the full list of the top 20 and their earnings in US dollars:
1) Oprah Winfrey $1.5 bln
2) J.K. Rowling $1.0 bln
3) Martha Stewart $638 mln
4) Madonna $325 mln
5) Celine Dion $250 mln
6) Mariah Carey $225 mln
7) Janet Jackson $150 mln
8) Julia Roberts $140 mln
9) Jennifer Lopez $110 mln
10) Jennifer Aniston $110 mln
11) Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen $100 mln
12) Britney Spears $100 mln
13) Judge Judy (Sheindlin) $ 95 mln
14) Sandra Bullock $ 85 mln
15) Cameron Diaz $ 75 mln
16) Gisele Bundchen $ 70 mln
17) Ellen DeGeneres $ 65 mln
18) Nicole Kidman $ 60 mln
19) Christina Aguilera $ 60 mln
20) Renee Zellweger $ 45 mln
