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This article was first published 14 years ago

Meet World's Most Powerful Celebs

Last updated on: June 29, 2010 13:32 IST

Image: Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey tops the 2010 edition of Forbes magazine's annual World's Most Powerful Celebrities list.

The list, which is based on earnings and media exposure, has Winfrey at number one.

Last year's number one, voluptuous actress Angelina Jolie, fell out of the top ten, all the way to 19!

Here's a look at the top ten:

1. Oprah Winfrey

Born to an impoverished single mother in rural Mississippi, America's poorest state, it's been quite a long and unlikely journey for Oprah Winfrey.

Since 1984, she's been hosting The Oprah Winfrey Show, a trailblazer in the day-time television talk-show format, and has grown into a full-fledged global media baron.

Her contract for The Oprah Winfrey Show ends in 2011, after which Oprah is expected to start a new show on her network, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.

2. Beyonce Knowles

Image: Beyonce Knowles
Photographs: Eric Thayer/ Reuters

Pop star Beyonce Knowles is in the second spot, thanks to her I Am... world tour, which had over 100 performances all around the globe!

She also recently launched a fashion line and her own perfume, Heat.

3. James Cameron

Image: James Cameron with wife Suzy

2009 belonged to Avatar, as the epic fantasy became the first film to rake in more than $2 billion at the box office and was nominated for nine Academy Awards.

Its creator, James Cameron, is widely known as Hollywood's golden man, and is responsible for the two highest-grossing movies of all time: the aforementioned Avatar and 1997's Titanic.

4. Lady Gaga

Image: Lady Gaga

From not mentioned last year, to top-5 this year, the mercurial pop-star is definitely a work-a-holic.

Two world tours, two releases, digital download queen, endless public appearances... all since 2008. She's got the world going gaga for Gaga!

5. Tiger Woods

Image: Tiger Woods

It was the kind of year that would sink a normal celebrity. But, then, Tiger Woods is no normal celebrity.

The only sportsmen in the top 10, Woods has become so transcendent that even the details of his love life become front page news.

Despite his choppy situation with sponsors, Woods is still the most marketable name in sports.

6. Britney Spears

Image: Britney Spears

What a recovery for Brit! It seems like it was just yesterday that we watched the court-room drama for the custody of her children, or the late-night visit by paramedics to her house, on suspicion of an overdose.

After 5 years spent mostly off-stage, 'The Circus Starring Britney Spears' world tour, inspired by 2008 album The Circus, was a massive success, grossing $131.8 million, to become Spears biggest ever tour.

That's not mentioning the runaway success of her fragrance lines and other promotions!

7. U2

Image: Adam Clayton, Bono, Edge and Larry Mullen hold street signs
Photographs: Gary Hershorn/ Reuters

They've won 22 Grammys, have sold over 150 million records and are one of the greatest and most successful live acts of all time.

They're also well-known for their advocacy efforts and charitable donations.

Is it any wonder that U2 finds a place on the top-10?

8. Sandra Bullock

Image: Sandra Bullock

It was a roller coaster year for Sandra Bullock.

Just days after winning the prestigious Best Actress award at the Academy Awards for her work in The Blind Side, Bullock was shocked by allegations that her husband Jesse James had been cheating on her for some time with a bevy of tattooed mistresses.

When the allegations proved true, Bullock booted James from her life. Now, with her divorce finalised, she's back on track, as funny and vivacious as ever.

9. Johnny Depp

Image: Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp, the uber-hip master of off-the-wall characters, is on the list for one simple reason. He's just too cool!

10. Madonna

Image: Madonna

Gaga may be the hot new name in town, but does she have the staying power of Madonna?

The Material girl, whose 2008 album Hard Candy spawned the massively successful 2008-2009 Sweet and Sticky tour, rounds out the top 10.