
Winfrey, whose chat show is watched by 30 million viewers each week, regained her top spot - which she lost last year to Tom Cruise - with estimated earnings of $260 million. A Forbes spokeswoman says, "A combination of strong financials and her enduring influence on the U.S. public, which could see her affecting the outcome of next year's U.S. elections, is enough to propel her back into the top spot." Jailed heiress Paris Hilton, who was number 56 on last year's list, failed to make the top 100 for 2007.