Openly lesbian chat host Ellen
DeGeneres has broken into the top 25 of Forbes magazine's
annual 100 Most Powerful Celebrities list.
DeGeneres has quickly climbed up the
list since her 2008 debut. Last year, the 52-year-old comedienne
came in at #40 with an estimated worth of $35 million.
Her new gig judging American Idol
has helped boost her earnings to a staggering $55 million and her
rank to a respectable #23 ranking. DeGeneres also continues to host
her popular talk-show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and is a
spokeswoman for CoverGirl and American Express.
Topping the list as the richest and
most powerful celebrity is Oprah Winfrey with a massive $315 million
paycheck.
Singer-songwriter and gay diva Lady
Gaga catapulted to #4 on the list.
DeGeneres holds the top spot in gay
glossy Out's Power 50 list of most influential gay men and
lesbians. During the brief 2008 June-to-November window when gay
marriage was legal in California, she exchanged vows with actress
Portia de Rossi. DeGeneres came out gay in 1997 on the cover of
Time.