Forbes’ Celebrity 100 power rankings are based on a combination of earning power and media exposure.

Thanks to the release of several blockbuster movies and an endless sea of media buzz, Jolie has dethroned Oprah Winfrey to top this year’s Celebrity 100 list, Forbes’ annual ranking of the world’s ultra famous.

Jolie and her partner, Brad Pitt, are the most photographed couple in the world. Her $27 million earnings in the past year included a $14 million magazine deal for exclusive rights to the first pictures of the couple’s twins, Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline, who were born in August. Pitt is ranked in ninth place, one spot behind his former wife, Jennifer Aniston.

Forbes said:

“In addition to nearly doubling her earnings in the past year, Angelina Jolie is the most famous star on the planet. She is in the dialogue of popular culture nearly every day – for her acting, for her relationship with Brad Pitt, for her children and for her philanthrophic endeavours. All of this exposure leads to an extremely powerful celebrity brand,”

The annual power list is dominated by women this year, with four out of the top five placings occupied by female stars. Beyonce, the US singer, is fourth.

Tiger Woods is the highest ranked male celebrity, in fifth place. According to the magazine, the golfer remains the highest-paid sports star in the world. Bruce Springsteen, director Steven Spielberg and basketball player Kobe Bryant complete the top 10.

Here is the list of the Top 10 most powerful celebrities of 2009 by Rank, Name and Pay in $millions:

• 1. Angelina Jolie $27 million;
• 2. Oprah Winfrey $275 million;
• 3. Madonna $110 million;
• 4. Beyonce Knowles $87 million;
• 5. Tiger Woods $110 million;
• 6. Bruce Springsteen $70 million;
• 7. Steven Spielberg $150 million;
• 8. Jennifer Aniston $25 million;
• 9. Brad Pitt $28 million;
• 10. Kobe Bryant $45 million;

At No. 49, US President Barack Obama is the first sitting head of state to appear on the list, which has been published annually since 1999.

Interested? Then click on World’s Most Powerful Celebrity to read the full article and list…

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