Who can lose $125 million off their estimated annual income and still come out on top?
One word. Oprah.
Yes, the media mogul is still the queen when it comes to the highest celebrity income, according to Forbes which released its list Monday. She was named to the top of the list for the fourth year in a row.
She earned an estimated $165 million between May 2011 and May 2012, down from the previous year’s $290 million, reported forbes.com.
Last May, Winfrey ended her successful syndicated series "The Oprah Winfrey Show" after a 25-year run and, earlier in 2011, she launched the OWN cable network which has struggled to find viewers. However, her Harpo Productions does continue to maintain interest in the TV shows "Dr. Phil," "Rachael Ray" and "The Dr. Oz Show" and she has the magazine "O" and a satellite radio station, reported Forbes.
Those who also made the top 10 list and their estimated incomes include: film director Michael Bay, $160 million; Steven Spielberg, $130 million; producer Jerry Bruckheimer, $115 million; record producer Dr. Dre, $110 million; producer/director/writer Tyler Perry, $105 million; radio show host/reality TV judge Howard Stern, $95 million; author James Patterson, $94 million; producer/director/writer George Lucas, $90 million, and music producer and reality TV mogul Simon Cowell, $90 million.
The magazine uses upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work to determine who is the highest paid in consultation with industry professionals, according to the website.
TV Guide Magazine will countdown the most memorable moments of "The Oprah Show" in the two-hour TV special "TV Guide Magazine's Top 25 Best 'Oprah Show' Moments," airing at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday on OWN, cable 106.
Here's a sneak peak at the special.
First Look: "TV Guide Magazine's" Top 25 Best "Oprah Show" Moments
