Oprah Winfrey still highest paid celeb
(CNN) -- Oprah Winfrey's trials as the CEO of the OWN network have been covered in detail - occasionally by the media titan herself. But for now, at least, Winfrey still reigns as Forbes magazine's highest-paid celebrity for the fourth year in a row.
The publication estimates Winfrey earned $165 million between May 2011 and May 2012, thanks to her brand stretching across media. There's O magazine, a satellite radio station, Harpo productions programming - "The Dr. Oz Show," "Dr. Phil" and "Rachael Ray" - and, of course, the vulnerable OWN.
Forbes also took into account syndication profits from "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which ended in 2011. But this is also the last year the publication will add in any of her syndication dollars, and Forbes hints that may cause Winfrey to stumble on the list in the future.
As it stands, Winfrey's haul dropped by $125 million when compared to last year's earnings, and she squeaked past Hollywood filmmaker Michael Bay for the top spot by $5 million. Bay comes in at No. 2 on the highest-paid celebrity list with an estimated income of $160 million.
Steven Spielberg followed at No. 3 with an estimated $130 million earned between May 2011 and May 2012; Jerry Bruckheimer was at No. 4 with $115 million; and Dr. Dre came in at No. 5 with $110 million, a yearly income boosted from sales of his Beats By Dr. Dre headphones line.
The publication estimates Winfrey earned $165 million between May 2011 and May 2012, thanks to her brand stretching across media. There's O magazine, a satellite radio station, Harpo productions programming - "The Dr. Oz Show," "Dr. Phil" and "Rachael Ray" - and, of course, the vulnerable OWN.
Forbes also took into account syndication profits from "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which ended in 2011. But this is also the last year the publication will add in any of her syndication dollars, and Forbes hints that may cause Winfrey to stumble on the list in the future.
As it stands, Winfrey's haul dropped by $125 million when compared to last year's earnings, and she squeaked past Hollywood filmmaker Michael Bay for the top spot by $5 million. Bay comes in at No. 2 on the highest-paid celebrity list with an estimated income of $160 million.
Steven Spielberg followed at No. 3 with an estimated $130 million earned between May 2011 and May 2012; Jerry Bruckheimer was at No. 4 with $115 million; and Dr. Dre came in at No. 5 with $110 million, a yearly income boosted from sales of his Beats By Dr. Dre headphones line.
WHY? I don't care what color she is, purple, blue, gold, white or black, I will never understand how she ever got where she is. Oh that's right, all of you out there that LOVE Oprah made sure she is rich..... are you?  OWN never comes in on my TV. And I'm not a hater, I just don't happen to care for her. Thats life.
And why do blacks complain they cannot make it...??
She should pay her fair share of Taxes.I bet she has the same loop holes as any other Billionaire.
She should show us her Tax return.She is rich off the backs of the Middle class and poor people.She didn't build that "Oprah Winfrey Network". She had help from the Government.Â
 @Tacobender 49 Damn that was good.
While I enjoy a free society, I also think the income level should be somewhat more balanced. It should not be possible or necessary for one person to make so much money while there are so many people working their ess off making only minimum wage. If there is a $10 million yearly income limit per person, that's plenty enough.
@Happi -- That's like saying no one deserves a 4.0 if there are students struggling to maintain a 2.0. I am not willing to let others take a free ride off my hard work. Nope, you want what she has earn it yourself! Clearly, you only enjoy a "free society" so long as it's free and you don't have to work hard.
@Bianca How very right you are
Hope she pays all of her taxes.
Oprah is a prime example of why this is the greatest country in the world!! Who could have ever imagined a poor black girl from Mississippi, who was raped and abused by family members, would be the highest paid celebrity!Â
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