Ranked Lists
Top 10 Richest Feminist Women Of All Time
updated January 6, 2021, 5:39 am 59.6k Views
Jennifer Hudson Net Worth: $25 million
Janet Jackson Net Worth: $190 million
Lady Gaga Net Worth: $320 million
Madonna Net Worth: $880 million
Queen Latifah Net Worth: $70 million
Amy Winehouse Net Worth: $5 million
Whoopi Goldberg Net Worth: $60 million
Oprah Winfrey Net Worth: $2.8 billion
Miley Cyrus Net Worth: $175 million
Whitney Houston Net Worth: -$20 million
"Singing for thousands of people, and to be paid to do this, it's amazing!." — Jennifer Hudson
Who Is Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson grew up in south Chicago. At the age of seven, her vocal skills were cultivated in the church choir. Jennifer credits her vocal talents to her late grandmother, Julia Hudson, who was involved in the church and Jennifer's early informal training. Throughout grammar and high school, Jennifer entered talent shows and competitions showcasing her incredible vocal skills as well as performing at clubs, weddings, and benefits in her hometown and the surrounding areas.
Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois.
Jennifer Hudson Net Worth
While Jennifer Hudson did not win American Idol she still came out the victor become an international sensation with a net worth of $25 million, and counting!
In the fall of 2002, Jennifer won the role of "Calliope", the head muse on the "Disney Wonder" line of cruise ships. Instead of renewing her contract with Disney, Jennifer chose to fly to Atlanta and audition for American Idol: Season 3. There, Hudson became a semifinalist in the first group. Despite impressive performances, Jennifer was not voted through to the final round. Instead, she was brought back as a 'wildcard' by Idol judge Randy Jackson.
American Idol Finalist
Despite being amongst the favorites to win, in the sixth week of Idol: Season 3, Jennifer Hudson was the contestant to be voted off. The reaction by the public was unprecedented. Many, including Sir Elton John, publicly lambasted the outcome and questioned Idol's voting system. The strong performances of all contestants in the bottom three that week, who all happened to be African-American females, also sparked debate about racism and sexism within the competition and the American public.
Life After Idol
During the competition, Barry Manilow stated, "My catalog of songs requires that you have range, you cannot do what Jennifer is doing, she takes it to a whole other level."
Not only does Jennifer take her singing to another level, she is also taking her career to higher highs. In November 2005, Jennifer was cast in the role of "Effie White" in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls which also stars Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. In a twist of irony, Jennifer beat out a throng of hopefuls for the role including Season 3's Idol winner Fantasia Barrino. Filming began on January 10, 2006.
Dreamgirls was released to strong critical acclaim in late December 2006. Jennifer Hudson was nominated for and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her film career has continued with acclaimed roles in Sex and the City and the Secret Life of Bees.
Jennifer Hudson's self-titled debut album was finally released in September 2008. It debuted at #2 on the album chart, sold over 500,000 copies, and was given four Grammy Award nominations. The album's first single, "Spotlight," hit #1 on the R&B; chart.
Jennifer Hudson (2008)
Out of all the former "American Idol" hopefuls – winners and losers alike – Jennifer Hudson will likely go down in the history as one of the most – if not the most – talented and successful of all. She's already won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and numerous other awards. One thing she hadn't done though, was actually release a full album – until now. And that album, a self-titled release that dropped in the U.S. on Sept. 30, 2008, further cements her status as one of America's most talented singer-actresses. Although this is just her debut, she's already reached elite status as an R&B; singer.
Power and Passion
If you were one of the people wondering if Jennifer Hudson could sustain her vocal energy, power and passion on a full album like she did in the role of Effie in the movie Dreamgirls and like she also does on the album's opening song and first single, "Spotlight," then wonder no more: the answer's a definite yes. "Spotlight" exemplifies the album as a whole: it's got a strong, independent woman singing strongly about love and relationships. In this case, the song is about a controlling lover: "If I'm just love's prisoner, then I'm bustin' out," she sings. And while "Spotlight" is about a yearning to be out from under someone's thumb, another of the album's best songs, "We Gon' Fight" is about the opposite: it's Jennifer clinging to her man through thick and thin against the world. Or as she sings it: "Like gangstas we gon' strap up for this war, and I'd die for mine 'cause you're worth fighting for."
Jen displays that kind of sassiness throughout the album, and it helps to balance things out, since there's also a number of sophisticated ballads on the album, such as grateful, loving "You Pulled Me Through" and the Gospel track "Jesus Promised Me a Home Over There." Another example of her sass is the song "Pocketbook," featuring a strong guest appearance by Ludacris. On the song, Jen threatens to put the smackdown on a very randy Luda while he raps funny, suggestive lyrics like "I know magic – poof! – do away with your clothes, then c'mere and let Luda give your body a rub 'cause damn, lil' mama you thick as a mug."
Sass is also evident on Jennifer's delicious duet with former "American Idol" winner Fantasia, a duet that you know just had to happen eventually. The song, called "I'm His Only Woman," builds around a phone conversation where the two singers argue over an apparently two-timing man. "If this was 10 years ago, I'd be at your front door ready to whup yo' ass," Jennifer says to Fantasia before the singing even begins. The track is a sort of a cross between an old Minnie Ripperton track from the '70s and an updated version of the '90s Brandy/Monica track "The Boy is Mine."
Another duet on the album however, doesn't fare as well as "I'm His Only Woman," but it's no fault of Jennifer's. The song in question is "What's Wrong (Go Away)," and features the "singer" T-Pain, who manages to keep up with Jennifer's vocal fireworks only by way of some serious help from Auto-Tune pitch correction software, and maybe a vocoder and/or talk box, or whatever else he uses to disguise his lack of talent. Anyway, the point is that Jennifer manages to sound warm and stunning, while T-Pain sounds cold and completely mechanical – or in other words, the same as he always does. Using him on such a personal relationship song is a waste; a number of male singers known for their passionate vocals, including Usher and R. Kelly, would have likely done a much better job with the same material. Despite this flaw though, Jennifer Hudson generally well-sung and well-produced and is without a doubt one of the strongest R&B; albums of 2008.
Janet Jackson may be the most successful feminist alive today. She's certainly one of the richest. Her music has touched millions and, like her brother, will go down in history as one of the greatest singers of all time.
Janet Jackson – Birth and Early Career:
Janet Jackson was born May 16, 1966 into one of the most successful families in pop music history. She was only 3 years old when 5 of her brothers became pop superstars as the the Jackson 5 topping the pop singles chart with their first record "I Want You Back." Janet Jackson found her own way as an entertainer appearing as a child actress in the TV shows Good Times and Diff'rent Strokes. She also had limited success on the r&b; charts with two solo albums Janet Jackson and Dream Street.
Janet Jackson's Breakout: Control:
After the disappointment of Janet Jackson's first 2 albums, Minneapolis producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, best known as associates of Prince, were recruited to put together a new album. The result was Control, released in 1986, an album that detailed a young woman taking control of her life. From the first single "What Have You Done For Me Lately," it was obvious Janet Jackson was on her way to being a pop superstar.
Janet Jackson's Net Worth Today
Janet has had massive success in her career even comparable to her brother Michael Jackson who had a net worth of $750 million dollars. Today, Janet Jackson has a net worth of $190 million dollars.
Janet Jackson's Top Pop Singles:
That's the Way Love Goes – 1993 – #1 8 weeks
All For You – 2001 – #1 7 weeks
Miss You Much – 1989 – #1 4 weeks
Doesn't Really Matter – 2000 – #1 3 weeks
Escapade – 1990 – #1 3 weeks
Together Again – 1998 – #1 2 weeks
Again – 1993 – #1 2 weeks
When I Think of You – 1986 – #1 2 weeks
Love Will Never Do (Without You) – 1990 – #1 1 week
Black Cat – 1990 – #1 1 week
Rhythm Nation 1814:
The pop music world waited 3 years to see if Janet Jackson could follow her huge success with Control. Rhythm Nation 1814 was released in the fall of 1989 and was an instant smash hit. It also succeeded in communicating Janet Jackson's message that we are a nation working to eliminate boundaries between people. Ultimately, the album became the first set in pop music history to produce 7 top 5 pop singles. 4 of those went to #1 including "Miss You Much," Janet Jackson's biggest hit yet.
With the release of Rhythm Nation 1814 Janet Jackson's contract with A&M; Records came to an end. She signed with Virgin Records in 1992 and the $40 million contract was the largest in pop music history. The first album with Virgin was titled janet. It accompanied a change in her stage name dropping the Jackson and becoming simply Janet. The album projected a sexually aware image and included "That's the Way Love Goes," the biggest pop single of Janet Jackson's career.
Trivia Fact About Janet Jackson:
The key worn on Janet Jackson's ear on the cover of the Rhythm Nation 1814 album was a key to animal cages on the Jackson family's estate.
The Velvet Rope:
Between janet. and Janet Jackson's next album The Velvet Rope, she collaborated in the studio with her brother Michael on the 1995 single "Scream." She also released a greatest hits collection Design of a Decade in 1996. Janet Jackson renewed her contract with Virgin in 1996 for a reported $80 million. Despite her public success, Janet Jackson's personal life was difficult and this was reflected in her 1997 album The Velvet Rope. The album included another #1 hit single "Together Again."
All For You:
In the years between The Velvet Rope and Janet Jackson's next album All For You, her 8-year secret marriage with Rene Elizondo came to an end. Jackson was visible in a string of collaborations with other recording artists including Elton John, Blackstreet, Shaggy, and Busta Rhymes. When All For You finally appeared in 2001, 4 years after The Velvet Rope, its title single became Janet Jackson's 10th #1 pop single.
Controversy and Rebirth:
As part of the publicity leading up to Janet Jackson's next album Damita Jo, she appeared at halftime during the February 2004 Super Bowl football game. In a sexually charged performance with Justin Timberlake he tore off a portion of her costume exposing her breast. Timberlake later referred to the incident as a "wardrobe malfunction." Despite her initial apology for the performance, Janet Jackson found herself in the middle of a long-running controversy and the butt of endless jokes.
Just two months after the Super Bowl performance Damita Jo was released to poor reviews and lackluster sales compared with previous albums. It failed to include any major pop hit singles and was perceived in the music press as the first major failure in Janet Jackson's career since the release of Control in 1986.
With the assistance of long-term collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and her romantic partner Jermaine Dupri, Janet Jackson headed back to the studio for the album Twenty Years Old to be released in September, 2006. "Call On Me," the first single from the album, was released to radio in late June, 2006.
The Beginnings of Lady Gaga:
Born in Yonkers, New York, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta attended religious private schools and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Her earliest band gigs were on the Lower East Side where she fused underground music and pop, honing her image performing with burlesque shows.
Where Did the Name Lady Gaga Come From?:
Lady Gaga cites both David Bowie and Queen as influences. Her name comes from the Queen song "Radio Ga-Ga."
Lady Gaga Net Worth
Lady Gaga is one of the most successful singers of all time and with a massive net worth of $320 million no wonder she takes such a long time between albums.
A Singer and a Songwriter:
Lady Gaga was originally signed and then let go from Def Jam Records without any music being released. She then found early success when signed to Interscope Records writing songs for Pussycat Dolls ("Elevator"), New Kids On the Block ("Full Service"), and Britney Spears ("Quicksand"). Working with both Akon and Red One, she to put together her debut album, The Fame which was released in October 2008.
It Takes Time to Just Dance :
Although Just Dance was released in March 2008, it took a long time to bubble up from the underground. Exposure on TV shows such Miss Universe, MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, and So You Think You Can Dance helped build the story. Radio came on board and her crossover commercial success came. By the end of 2008, "Just Dance" topped the US and UK pop charts simultaneously.
The Sound and Image Come Together in Lady Gaga's Words:
"I don't write records and then decide what the video will look like. I instantaneously write things at the same time so it's a complete vision, the song and the visual, the way that I would perform it on the stage. It's something that all comes to me at once. So when I say I make the music for the dress, the dress is a bit of a metaphor for 'I make the music for everything,' for the entire performance vision."
– Quote from Lady Gaga Interview
August 16, 1958 – Bay City, Michigan
Quote From Madonna:
"Poor is the man whose pleasures depend on the permission of another."
Madonna Trivia Fact:
Madonna was a dance major at the University of Michigan before dropping out of college.
Madonna Net Worth
Madonna is one of the richest singers in the world today with a net worth of $880 million.
From Michigan To New York:
Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone was born August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan. In 1977 Madonna dropped out of college at the University of Michigan to move to New York to study with Alvin Ailey for a career as a dancer. By 1979 she had signed on to dance and sing behind Disco performer Patrick Hernandez who had a major hit with "Born To Be Alive." Upon returning to New York, she helped form the Breakfast Club pop/dance group.
Pop and Dance Success:
Madonna left the Breakfast Club in 1980 to work with drummer Steven Bray. Madonna and Bray soon began shopping their demos to record labels. Sire Records signed Madonna in late 1982. Her first dance single "Everybody" hit #3 on the dance chart. After two more dance hits, her third single, "Holiday," written and produced by Jellybean Benitez, became a pop as well as dance hit.
The years 1985 and 1986 were years of phenomenal success for Madonna on a number of fronts. Her album Like a Virgin, released at the end of 1984, included the title single, one of the biggest hits of 1985. During 1985 she appeared in her first movie Desperately Seeking Susan, embarked on her first concert tour in support of the Beastie Boys, appeared in the Live Aid concerts to raise money to relieve famine in Africa, and, on her birthday, August 16th, married actor Sean Penn.
Madonna's next album True Blue continued the string of major pop hits including "Open Your Heart," "Live To Tell," and "La Isla Bonita." Her film career, which had begun in promising fashion, suffered a major setback when her first starring role in Who's That Girl flopped miserably. A remix album You Can Dance appeared in late 1987 but failed to sell well. Without the release of new albums in 1988, some began to see Madonna as a has-been.
'Like a Prayer':
In March, 1989 Madonna released Like a Prayer, one of the most artistically accomplished albums of her career. Released in a hail of controversy over the video for the title song running afoul of both the Roman Catholic Church and Pepsi, the album topped the charts and included "Like a Prayer," and "Express Yourself," two of the biggest hits of Madonna's career. The success was somewhat tarnished by the end of Madonna's marriage to Sean Penn in September 1989.
The 1990's:
Madonna entered the new decade with mixed reviews for her role in the movie Dick Tracy with Warren Beatty. The decade became one of ongoing controversy sparked by Madonna's sense of artistic independence. From her book Sex to notorious tv appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman, Madonna rocked traditional notions of appropriate behavior for a pop star. Among major successes through the period were the songs "Justify My Love" and "Take a Bow," as well as her film role in Evita.
'Ray Of Light' and a New Millenium:
In 1998 Madonna released the album Ray Of Light to the best critical reviews since Like a Prayer. The album embraced the sound of techno in dance music and spawned massive pop hits such as the title track and "Frozen." Madonna eventually won 3 Grammy Awards for the album.
Madonna entered the new millenium with Music, another successful album featuring collaborations with French dance music producer Mirwais. The title song and "Don't Tell Me" were major hit singles. Late in the year Madonna married British film director Guy Ritchie.
In 2002 Madonna appeared in the film Swept Away, directed by her husband, and continued the long string of negative reviews for her acting skills. It was followed by 2003's American Music album and rare negative reviews for her music. The album failed to produce major hit singles in the U.S., but Madonna returned to the spotlight late in the year with an uproar over her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in which she portrayed a "groom" kissing her "brides" Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.
With the resilience that has become a trademark of her career, Madonna embarked on the Re-Invention tour in 2004 and had the highest grossing concert tour of the year. She remained in the spotlight with her devotion to Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, and success as an author of children's books. While working on a new album, Confessions On a Dancefloor, for late 2005, Madonna appeared at the Live 8 concerts to help end poverty, and her performances were cited as highlights of the massive worldwide event.
Madonna's latest album Hard Candy was kicked off with the single "4 Minutes," a collaboration with Justin Timberlake. With the sigining of a contract with Live Nation, Hard Candy became Madonna's final studio album for Warner Bros. after a 25 year association with the label. The album debuted at #1 in 37 different countries. The final album for Warner Bros. is Celebration, a two disc greatest hits collection to be released in fall 2009. The single "Celebration" preceded the album.
As you might imagine, Queen Latifah was not born with the royal title that she is today well known for. The hip-hop artist, classical singer, actress, producer and entrepreneur was born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in Newark, N.J.
Even her proper name, Latifah, is not her proper name. The entertainer picked her stage name when she was eight years old, allegedly, finding the name in a book of Islamic names. Its meaning: delicate and kind.
She grew up in East Orange, N.J., the daughter of a school teacher and police officer, Rita and Lancelot Owens. The two were divorced when Latifah was 10 years old.
Latifah attended Catholic school and thrived in the theater department and on the basketball court. She wowed audiences with her soulful renditions of popular show tunes and scored baskets as her high school team's power forward.
As she was finishing up her high school career, Latifah was revving up her entertainment career. She began beat boxing for the hip-hop group Ladies Fresh and was an original member of the Flavor Unit. The Flavor Unit was managed by DJ King Gemini, who took note of Latifah's ability and recorded one of her songs on a demo tape. The rap, Princess of the Posse, found its way into Fab 5 Freddy's hands. At the time, the iconic rapper was host of MTV's Yo! MTV Raps. It also found its way to Tommy boy Music, where Queen Latifah was first signed and how she released her first single, Wrath of My Madness.
The rap was a hit and Queen Latifah recorded her first album, All Hail The Queen, which also struck a chord with listeners and struck gold for the record label. Latifah was well on her way – and was only 19 years old.
How much is Queen Latifah worth today?
Today Queen Latifah has made a name for herself in music and in film, her current net worth is estimated to be $70 million dollars.
Queen Latifah continued rapping until her early 20s, when she shifted gears and started singing soulful hits and jazz standards. She performed at the famous Hollywood Bowl backed by an orchestra, released her version of the hit 60s standard, "California Dreamin'", and sang with such luminaries as Stevie Wonder and George Duke.
Then it was back to what made her famous, hip hop, releasing the album Persona.
Screens both big and small
While her music career was blossoming, Queen Latifah found herself on the small screen as a supporting actress. She starred on the Fox sitcom Living Single alongside actress Kim Fields. She also landed small roles in films like House Party 2 and Jungle Fever. As the 1990s rolled on, her roles grew larger and her talent more impressive.
She took some time off from the big screen to host a daytime talk show on the small screen, The Queen Latifah Show, which ran from 1999 to 2001. After two seasons, the show was cancelled and Latifah returned to acting and singing.
After starring as Matron "Mama" Morton in the film adaptation of the Broadway hit musical Chicago, a role for which Latifah earned an Oscar nomination, Queen Latifah truly broke out into mainstream success.
Then she underscored her comedic chops starring opposite Steve Martin in the hit film Bringing Down the House. Then came her work on the 2007 remake of the cult hit film and Broadway smash, Hairspray. Latifah starred, sang and danced in the film.
Back to the small screen
Her continued success has led her back to the small screen and to a genre she hasn't quite cracked the nut on. In September 2013, she will host the newest version of The Queen Latifah Show.
The new show is co-produced by one of the biggest names in entertainment, Will Smith, through his production company Overbrook Entertainment. It will feature the usual celebrity interviews, hot topics and pop culture tropes, as well as top tier musical acts. The production is expected to play off Latifah's affable nature, comedic talent and immense musical abilities.
"This forum is the perfect place to showcase Latifah's tremendous range of talents and unique ability to connect and inspire people," says Miguel Melendez, one of The Queen Latifah Show's producers and a producer with Overbrook Entertainment.
Net Worth: $5 million
Birth and Early Life:
Amy Winehouse was born September 14, 1983 in the Southgate area of north London. Her father was a taxi driver and mother a pharmacist. Amy Winehouse's family included many jazz musicians, so she grew up surrounded by jazz music. As a teenager she became interested in American r&b; and hip hop musicians, and she even formed an amateur rap group for a brief period. After Amy Winehouse was expelled from school at age 16, singer Tyler James passed a demo of her singing to record company talent scouts ultimately leading to a recording contract with Island Records.
Quote from Amy Winehouse:
On her musical style in an interview with Music OMH:
"I take a lot from jazz musically and a lot from hip-hop lyrically. I am a jazz singer but my album is straight hip-hop… I would say that people in creative hip-hop are the jazz of today."
Amy Winehouse's Net Worth At The Time of Her Death
Amy Winehouse died before her time, at the young age of just 27. Winehouse's net worth $5 million at the time of her death in 2011. It's likely she would have had an incredible career if it wasn't for the tragic addictions that led to her death.
Amy Winehouse's debut album Frank was released in October, 2003. All of the songs were co-written by Winehouse and most of the production work was done by hip hop producer Salaam Remi. Critics fell in love with the album. Amy Winehouse was nominated for Top Female Solo Singer at the Brit Awards. The song "Stronger Than Me" won the prestigious Ivor Novello songwriting award, and the album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. The album reached #13 on the UK album chart and eventually was certified platinum for sales.
Amy Winehouse's Personal Difficulties:
Amy Winehouse's music was not the only aspect of her life that generated headlines in the music media. In the publicity leading to release of her second album Back to Black, she indicated she had suffered from eating disorders and lost a significant amount of weight after the release of Frank due to comments about her size in the press. Amy Winehouse also gained notoriety from appearing at public events and on television in an obviously intoxicated state.
Back to Black:
Back to Black, Amy Winehouse's second album, Back to Black, was released in October, 2006. It quickly reached #1 on the UK album chart and debuted at #7 on the US album chart when finally released in March, 2007. At that time, it was the highest debut on the US chart ever by a UK female solo artist. The single "Rehab," inspired by Amy Winehouse's refusal to enter an alcohol rehabilitation facility, rose into the UK pop singles top 10.
2004 – Ivor Novello Award – Best Contemporary Song – "Stronger Than Me"
2004 – Mercury Prize – Shortlist
2007 – Brit Awards – Best Female Solo Artist
2007 – Ivor Novello Award – Best Contemporary Song – "Rehab"
2007 – Elle Style Awards – Best British Music Act
US Pop Breakthrough:
Back to Black debuted inside the top 10 on the US pop album chart in March, 2007 in large part due to the crush of positive press about Amy Winehouse's music. However, without a signficant hit single, the album did not rise higher on the chart, until 3 months later. However, with a high profile performance at the MTV Movie Awards and simultaneous cover appearances in Spin and Rolling Stone, the album rose back into the top 10 hitting #6 in June, 2007 and the single "Rehab" began climbing into the pop top 40.
Whoopi was born
"Whoopi Goldberg" was born Caryn Elaine Johnson on Nov. 13, 1955, in New York City to a Protestant preacher and her husband. (Though she doesn't align herself with a particular religion, she says that Buddhism and Judaism can also be traced through her family tree.)
Growing up with Whoopi
Whoopi's early life was colorful – a tapestry of sorts – a high school drop out who married young (reportedly, she was 18 and he was 16) and moved West to pursue her dream of performing. Like most young actors and actresses, her dreams of performing where buoyed by day (and night) jobs as a bank teller, in construction and as a mortuary worker.
During early performances, Whoopi went by the stage name Whoopee Cushion. In 2006, she told The New York Times, "If you get a little gassy, you''ve got to let it go. So people used to say to me, 'You're like a whoopee cushion.' And that's where the name came from."
Whoopi Goldberg's Net Worth
Whoopi Goldberg has a net worth of $60 million dollars.
Whoopi's Early Career
Here mother convinced her to change her stage name to Goldberg, and shortly thereafter, she made one of her first film appearances, in an art film titled Citizen: I'm Not Losing My Mind, I'm Giving it Away. Her film career would really take off after her critically acclaimed one-woman Broadway show The Spook Show.
She became a household word after starring in Steven Spielberg''s The Color Purple opposite Oprah Winfrey, a role for which she won a Golden Globe Award.
Whoopi's Later Career
Whoopi's later roles would see her return to her comedic roots, starring in Jumpin' Jack Flash, Penny Marshall's directorial debut. She followed that with a slew of similarly themed comedies, most of which fell flat with audiences.
Taking time off from film to concentrate on her comedy, Whoopi, with fellow comedians Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, spearheaded "Comic Relief," an entertainment charity telethon to raise awareness about homelessness, similar to Bob Geldof's rock and roll "Live Aid."
Whoopi returned to film with a dramatic turn in Clara's Heart, and then appeared in one of her most acclaimed roles: the psychic Oda Mae Brown in Ghost. That role won her an Academy Award – only the second African-American woman in history to do so.
Her renewed acting career saw her take roles on TV (as the ages old wise bar matron Guinan in the critically acclaimed Star Trek: The Next Generation) and in the hit film Sister Act and its sequel. Later years would see her try her hand at situation comedy in the one-season and done Whoopi!, a kind of Fawlty Towers, on NBC and as the popular center square on Hollywood Squares.
Becoming a Talk Show Host
Perhaps the seed for her eventual run on The View was sown in 2006, when Whoopi debuted her morning radio talk show, "WakeUp with Whoopi". The programmed showcased Whoopi's ability to interview guests and talk about current events in a light-hearted and irreverent way.
After Rosie O'Donnell departed The View in June 2007, Whoopi began a run of guest host spots on the program. The increasing frequency of her guest turns was the first suggestion that Whoopi was seriously considered to fill Rosie's vacant seat.
Depending on her popularity on The View, one prognostication we could make is that Whoopi could end up with her own talk show. She's also set to return to Broadway to revive her one-woman show – the same show that launched her career. And, no doubt, a return to film isn't too far in her future, if only in a supporting role or two – or three.
And Just for Fun
Has been married three times and has one daughter from her first marriage, Alexandrea.
Once dated Ted Danson.
She's an award winning Broadway producer, having picked up a Tony for "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
Whoopi is also a Mark Twain Prize for American Humor winner.
Has a daughter from her first marriage, Alexandrea.
Her originally stage name was Whoopee Cushion.
Net Worth: $2.8 billion
In 2011, Oprah Winfrey wrapped up her nationally syndicated talk show which got its start in 1986. She will now focus her attention on her new cable channel, called the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which so far has struggled to find an audience.
Significance to the Media Industry
It's impossible to overstate Oprah Winfrey's influence, not just on television, but on American life.
There are plenty of young adults who can't remember a time when Winfrey's face wasn't on TV every day.
Winfrey's personal struggles with her weight helped her connect with millions of Americans. She was never afraid to laugh at an old photo of herself sporting a grossly-outdated hairstyle or outfit.
Winfrey's Book Club and her "Favorite Things" shows could launch a best seller overnight. Don't forget her endorsement of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama helped put him into the White House.
What is Oprah Winfrey's Net Worth?
The first and only billionaire TV-host Oprah Winfrey has a net worth of $2.8 billion dollars. That makes her the richest female African American of all time.
Oprah Winfrey's Early Career
Winfrey's voice hit the airwaves before her face. She worked at a Nashville, Tennessee radio station while in high school. It wasn't long before she switched to TV.
She began anchoring the news at Nashville's WLAC (now WTVF) in 1973. She was a trailblazer in two ways — not only was she just 19, she was also the first woman co-anchor in the city.
Winfrey moved to Baltimore's WJZ in 1976 to co-anchor the news and eventually take over the local show People Are Talking. She was 22.
Moving up to Chicago in 1984, Winfrey made AM Chicago on WLS number one almost immediately. That brought her own national show two years later.
The Oprah Winfrey Show rocketed to the top of the ratings in 1986, where it remained ever since. Her dominance in the afternoons never faced a serious challenge from any other talk show and boosted local news ratings for stations carrying her program.
Besides the stars, confessions and giveaways, Winfrey's program launched her business career. Her Harpo Productions has created movies and positioned her to take a risk by establishing OWN on what had been the Discovery Health Channel in 2011.
Her wealth is estimated to be more than $2 billion. Through her Angel Network, she has raised millions for charity.
Oprah Winfrey was actually named Orpah when she was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi in 1954. Eventually, those who knew her called her "Oprah."
She spent her childhood in Mississippi, and later Wisconsin and Tennessee. As a child, she lived in poverty, but managed to get an education and became Miss Black Tennessee.
Winfrey has had a long relationship with Stedman Graham. Her well-known best friend is Gayle King, who has had several roles at Winfrey's various media properties.
Her awards for personal achievement are countless. They span her work on television, film acting, philanthropy and promotion of reading.
November 23, 1992, in Nashville, TN
When you're the daughter of a music/television star, you're sure to be exposed to the limelight at some point and in varying degrees. You can deal with the fame in several ways, and one is to dive in head first and take full advantage of the situation. Not only has Miley Cyrus, daughter of actor/country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, taken to the entertainment machine wholeheartedly, she has an alter ego as Disney star Hannah Montana that helps double her exposure. This Miley Cyrus biography will take a look at her life before and after stardom.
A Career Begins:
Miley first appeared on TV in an episode of her dad's show Doc, then scored a big screen role in Tim Burton's Big Fish, both in 2003. Her rocket to superstardom began in 2005 when she was cast as the lead character in the Disney Channel's Hannah Montana. The show follows the ongoing saga of a normal teen girl leading the double life of a pop music star, kinda like life imitating art…imitating art.
How much is Miley Cyrus worth?
In her relatively short career so far Miley Cyrus has become one of the richest singers in the world, Cyrus's net worth is estimated at $175 million.
Miley Cyrus Becomes Hannah Montana:
Cyrus' performances as Hannah Montana on the show resulted in a CD release, of course, which made her TV's biggest marketing star since Elmo. The 2006 release of Hannah Montana showcased the highly polished, heavily produced, hook-filled pop rock confection that filled each episode of the Hannah Montana show, and kids instantly ate it up.
Miley Cyrus Begins to Overshadow Hannah Montana:
Cyrus followed up with the 2007 release Hannah Montana, 2: Meet Miley Cyrus, which began her transformation from a TV-created pop sensation to a serious music artist. The first disc included tunes from the second season of Hannah Montana, while the second CD featured Miley Cyrus performing as herself, although it was hard to tell the difference between the two CDs.
The Present and the Future for Miley Cyrus:
2008 was a busy year for Cyrus: the Best of Both Worlds Concert CD/DVD was released in April, featuring live performances by Cyrus as herself and as Hannah Montana; while Breakout, Cyrus' first official solo album, was released in July. She also filmed Hannah Montana: The Movie, which was released in 2009. 2009 also saw the release of the Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack and the Hannah Montana 3 Soundtrack, which featured songs from the third season of Disney's Hannah Montana show.
The Miley Cyrus – Hannah Montana Sound:
Cyrus' musical style throughout has been crunchy dance pop with alternating acoustic verses and bombastic choruses. She could be most easily compared to artists like Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne, but without the sexual tension or post-teen lyrical content.
If you're looking for harmless, catchy, radio pop, Miley Cyrus is a winner. Who knows, young fans may be inspired by her career to find out more about female stars like Joni Mitchell, Shania Twain, or Chrissie Hynde in a few years.
Net Worth: -$20 million
Whitney Houston was one of the most successful singers of all time, with more than 200 million albums and singles sold.
Born: August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey
Died: February 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California
Though the peak years of her success comprised a relatively brief reign, Whitney Houston became one of the all-time queens of pop music when she emerged during the mid '80s. Her succession of hit singles, fueled by crystal-clear performances and production of choice material, still stands as one of the rock era's most impressive displays of talent, timing and execution. In light of her recent tabloid struggles and tragic early death, it may be easy to forget how big Houston was in her prime, but it would be a mistake to do so.
Early Years – Destined for Stardom:
Houston came from a lineage that belied her somewhat humble birthplace. The daughter of singer-actress Cissy Houston and cousin of singer Dionne Warwick, the younger Houston parlayed any music business savvy she may have cultivated into a precocious singing career. Just barely out of her teens, Houston secured a recording contract with Arista after label head Clive Davis heard her sing.
Whitney Houston's Net Worth at the Time of her Death
In the end, after the hundreds of millions of dollars earned through her music, Whitney Houston died with a net worth of negative $20 million dollars. Houston accidentally drowned in the bathtub of her Beverly Hilton hotel room in 2012.
Her success was incredible, her talent undeniable. "Selling 200 million records, for someone without any publishing royalties, that is still at least a quarter of a billion dollars in earnings," Forbes
Debut & Immediate Success:
Two albums over the next three years would account for the lion's share of Houston's hitmaking clout, but that small window produced a stunning string of smash hit singles. Of four Top 10 singles from her eponymous debut album, three shot to No. 1. Then, 1987's Whitney yielded four more massive hits that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts. All in all, Houston enjoyed a record-breaking run of seven straight No. 1 singles.
Post-'80s Last Hurrah & Then Diminishing Returns:
Once the '90s rolled around, Houston continued her amazing dominion on the charts, posting the biggest-selling No. 1 single in pop history, her cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You." But after that, her most prominent contributions seemed to be as a wannabe actress (The Bodyguard) and as tabloid fodder, via her chaotic relationship with fellow '80s icon Bobby Brown and rumors of drug use. Still, Houston's status as ultimate pop diva stands firm based on her '80s legacy alone.
Decline, 2009 Comeback & Tragic Early Death:
Some may have dismissed the possibility of a legitimate comeback for Houston, but the singer's first new record in six years appeared in the late summer of 2009 to considerable acclaim. Besides being a choice opportunity for Houston to put her tabloid past in the rearview mirror, the project had been planned for more than two years, emerging initially just as the singer's divorce from Brown was reaching its finality. Despite topping the charts, the album didn't translate into lasting momentum for Houston's flagging career. Unfortunately, amid new reports of further substance abuse issues, Houston was found dead in an L.A. hotel on February 11, 2012. Yet another sad ending to a legendary pop music career.
Written by MoneyNet
MoneyNet is the team behind the research and fact-checking of our net worth listings. We strive to provide the most up-to-date listings of the wealthiest people in the world from a wide range of industries and professions. If you have a tip, or think that we have something factually incorrect, then please let us know. Aside from that, enjoy learning everything there is to know about the rich and famous.
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