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World's most powerful celebs

June 4, 2009 13:56 IST

Image: Angelina Jolie
ANI

Angelina Jolie has overthrown Oprah Winfrey by becoming the world's most powerful celebrity in the annual list compiled by business magazine Forbes.

Oprah, the talk-show queen, topped the list for the previous two years and remained highest earner, making 275 million dollars in the past 12 months.

However, this year, 34-year-old Jolie has relegated Oprah to second place.

Forbes' Celebrity 100 power rankings are based on a combination of earning power and media exposure. The Tomb Raider star and partner Brad Pitt, are the most photographed couple in the world.

Jolie's 27 million dollars earnings in the past year included a 14 million dollars magazine deal for exclusive rights to the first pictures of the couple's twins, Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline, who were born in August.

'In addition to nearly doubling her earnings in the past year, Angelina Jolie is the most famous star on the planet. She is in the dialogue of popular culture nearly every day -- for her acting, for her relationship with Brad Pitt, for her children and for her philanthropic endeavours. All of this exposure leads to an extremely powerful celebrity brand,' The Telegraph quoted Forbes as saying.

World's most powerful celebs

Image: Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston during happier times
Photographs: Vincent Kessler/Reuters

Brad Pitt, on the other hand, is ranked in ninth place, one spot behind his ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston. Pitt brings home 28 millions dollars while Aniston takes home 25 millions dollars.

World's most powerful celebs

Image: Madonna
Photographs: Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Madonna occupies the third spot, not only because of her world tour, but also her high profile divorce from Guy Ritchie and her thwarted attempt to adopt a second child from Malawi. She brings home a cheque of 110 million dollars.

World's most powerful celebs

Image: Beyonce Knowles
Photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

At the fourth spot in the list is US singer Beyonce Knowles (at 87 million dollars), followed by Tiger Woods (at 110 million dollars), the highest ranked male celebrity. The golfer remains the highest-paid sports star in the world, according to the magazine.

World's most powerful celebs

Image: Bruce Springsteen
Photographs: Rick Scuteri/Reuters

Bruce Springsteen, who will headline the Glastonbury Festival later this month, director Steven Spielberg and basketball player Kobe Bryant complete the top 10.

World's most powerful celebs

Image: Britney Spears

After her much-publicised multiple breakdowns last year, Britney Spears has occupied the 13th spot in the list this year, thanks to her new album and her Circus tour.

World's most powerful celebs

Image: Tom Cruise
Photographs: Carlos Barria/Reuters

While Tom Cruise stays at 20th position, George Clooney stayed at 48 in the list.

World's most powerful celebs

Image: Miley Cyrus
Photographs: Paul Hanna/Reuters
Footballer David Beckham and teen sensation Miley Cyrus occupy the 28th and 29th spot respectively.

World's most powerful celebs

Image: Reese Witherspoon
Photographs: Chris Helgren/Reuters

Hollywood's most bankable actress Reese Witherspoon ranked 71 while US President Barack Obama became the first sitting head of state to appear on the list, which has been published annually since 1999

World's most powerful celebs

Image: Gisele Bundchen and Heidi Klum
Photographs: Gisele's image: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters;Heidi's images: Fred Prouser/Reuters

Here are the top 100. Their annual pay is mentioned in brackets:

1 Angelina Jolie (27)
2. Oprah Winfrey (275)
3. Madonna (110)
4. Beyonce Knowles (87)
5. Tiger Woods (110)
6. Bruce Springsteen (70)
7. Steven Spielberg (150)
8. Jennifer Aniston (25)
9. Brad Pitt (28)
10. Kobe Bryant (45)
11. Will Smith (45)
12. Dr Phil McGraw (80)
13. Britney Spears (35)
14. David Letterman (45)
15. Coldplay (70)
16. Adam Sandler (55)
17. Harrison Ford (65)
18. Michael Jordan (45)
19. LeBron James (40)
20. Tom Cruise (33)
21. Bon Jovi (50)
22. Donald Trump (50)
23. Rush Limbaugh (54)
24. George Lucas (170)
25. Simon Cowell (75)
26 Stephenie Meyer (50)
27. Roger Federer (33)
28. David Beckham (42)
29. Miley Cyrus (25)
30. Tyler Perry (75)
31. Kenny Chesney (65)
32. Jay-Z (35)
33. Clint Eastwood (35)
34. Howard Stern (70)
35. Sean Combs (30)
36. Phil Mickelson (40)
37. Jerry Seinfeld (85)
38. Dave Matthews Band (65)
39. Tom Hanks (35)
40. Ellen DeGeneres (35)
41. Eddie Murphy (40)
42. Rascal Flatts (60)
43. Jay Leno (32)
44. Ryan Seacrest (38)
45. Nicolas Cage (40)
46. Kanye West (25)
47. AC/DC (60)
48. George Clooney (25)
49. Barack Obama (2)
50. 50 Cent (20)
51. Brian Grazer/Ron Howard (45)
52. Kimi Raikkonen (45)
53. Jerry Bruckheimer (100)
54. Chris Rock (42)
55. Ronaldinho (30)
56. Jim Carrey (30)
57. Manny Pacquiao (40)
58. Sarah Jessica Parker (27)
59. Toby Keith (52)
60. Jonas Brothers (25)
61. James Patterson (60)
62. Kevin Garnett (30)
63. Jeff Gordon (30)
64. Meryl Streep (24)
65. Larry David (55)
66. Derek Jeter (30)
67. Serena Williams (17)
68. Stephen King (30)
69. Taylor Swift (18)
70. Daniel Radcliffe (25)
71. Reese Witherspoon (15)
72. Gisele Bundchen (25)
73. Cameron Diaz (20)
74. Nicole Kidman (9)
75. Carrie Underwood (14)
76. Maria Sharapova (22)
77. Venus Williams (15)
78. Heidi Klum (16)
79. Rachael Ray (15)
80. David Copperfield (30)
81. Glenn Beck (23)
82. Katherine Heigl (18)
83. Jon Stewart (14)
84. Jeff Dunham (30)
85. Anne Hathaway (7)
86. Tina Fey (7)
87. Drew Barrymore (12)
88. Charlie Sheen (21)
89. Eva Longoria Parker (9)
90. Ana Ivanovic (10)
91. Alec Baldwin (8)
92. Sandra Bullock (17)
93. Steve Carell (20)
94. Hugh Laurie (10)
95. Wolfgang Puck (18)
96. Penn & Teller (20)
97. Kate Moss (8)
98. Mariska Hargitay (8)
99. Jennifer Love Hewitt (6)
100. Danica Patrick (7)