Oprah is the richest woman in entertainment

You kinda had a hunch, but not its official: Oprah Winfrey is the richest woman in entertainment, according to Forbes magazine. The plucky talk show host and media mogul has earned an estimated $US1.5 billion during her lifetime. The Oprah success story is so remarkable, I could cry! Talk about the obstacles she's had to overcome: Being utterly poor, Black, and a woman.

Runner up to Miss Winfrey on Forbes' new Rich 20 List is J K Rowling. The British author - and creator of Harry Potter - has a lifetime earnings of $US1 billion.

That's it for the billion dollar ladies. Only two women have earned more than $US1 billion. All the rest in the Forbes Rich 20 List are mere millionaires.

Lifestyle guru Martha Steward came in third on the Forbes list with career earnings of $US638 million.

Following is the full list of the top 20 and their earnings:

1 - Oprah Winfrey $US1.5b

2 - J K Rowling $US1.0b

3 - Martha Stewart $US638m

4 - Madonna $US325m

5 - Celine Dion $US250m

6 - Mariah Carey $US225m

7 - Janet Jackson $US150m

8 - Julia Roberts $US140m

9 - Jennifer Lopez $US110m

10 - Jennifer Aniston $US110m

11 - Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen $US100m

12 - Britney Spears $US100m

13 - Judge Judy (Sheindlin) $US95m

14 - Sandra Bullock $US85m

15 - Cameron Diaz $US75m

16 - Gisele Bundchen $US70m

17 - Ellen DeGeneres $US65m

18 - Nicole Kidman $US60m

19 - Christina Aguilera $US60m

20 - Renee Zellweger $US45m

Source: Stuff