Oprah Winfrey has been named as the world's most powerful celebrity. The TV talk show queen topped the annual Forbes magazine's Celebrity 100 list once again, beating golf superstar Tiger Woods and Hollywood beauty Angelina Jolie.
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey (L) and actor Tom Cruise are shown in this publicity photo taken April 25, 2008 and released to Reuters April 29, 2008, during an interview for 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' at Cruise's home in Telluride, Colorado. The taped interview will air May 2, 2008, and then Cruise will appear on Winfrey's Chicago set May 5, 2008 to celebrate his 25 years in the film industry since his breakout role in "Risky Business."
Soccer star David Beckham - who moved to Los Angeles Galaxy last July in a multi-million dollar deal - made it into the top five for the first time along with newlywed singer Beyonce Knowles. The Forbes list is designed to reflect the influence of a celebrity in any one year. It looks at how much a celebrity is paid, and how much press, internet and TV coverage they get.
While 'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling only made it to number nine, she ranked as number one in the highest earners list. The rest of the Celebrity 100 list is compiled of Johnny Depp, The Police, Jay-Z and Brad Pitt. Major stars to drop out of the prestigious list include double Oscar-winner Tom Hanks, new mom Jessica Alba and superstar singer Elton John, who was last year's number seven. Forbes magazine's 2008 Celebrity 100, top 10: 1. Oprah Winfrey 2. Tiger Woods 3. Angelina Jolie 4. Beyonce Knowles 5. David Beckham 6. Johnny Depp 7. Jay-Z 7. The Police 9. J.K. Rowling 10. Brad Pitt.
(Agencies June 13, 2008)
