Oprah, Spielberg Still Billionaires

Fri., Mar. 10, 2006 9:45 AM PST by Gina Serpe

This just isn't Martha Stewart's year. First there was the public war of words with the Donald over her failed Apprentice, and now this.

Forbes magazine has released its annual list of billionaires and while it confirms what most have long suspected--namely that Oprah Winfrey and George Lucas remain really, really rich--there were a few surprises.

For example, Stewart. The self-made domestic diva has fallen off the annual roster, just one year after making her debut. The talk show hostess' net worth has slumped from last year's high of $1 billion to a mere $500 million since her release from Camp Cupcake last March.

Not so shocking was the name atop Forbes' list. Microsoft founder and Time cover boy Bill Gates once again secured his position as the world's wealthiest man, clinching the title for a 12th consecutive time. The computer whiz's net worth rose from $46.5 billion last year to an all-time high of $50 billion. He also managed to widen the gap between himself and perennial second richest man in the world, investor Warren Buffett, whose personal net worth dropped slightly to $42 billion.

According to Forbes, the number of billionaires in the world rose by 102 to a record 793 in the past year.

"Making a billion just isn't what it used to be," the money magazine's associate editor Luisa Kroll said.

The magazine also noted that this year's billion dollar babies had a massive combined wealth of $2.6 trillion. And lest any gold diggers be wondering, there are several bachelors and bachelorettes on the list.

Oprah, again, made a strong showing, netting an additional $100 million over the past year and bringing her total tally to $1.4 billion. She was one of just 78 women to make the list and despite her ever-expanding empire and de facto rule of the U.S., the media high priestess ranked just 562nd overall.

Donald Trump also made the list, coming in at number 278 with his net worth from real estate holdings remaining unchanged from last year at a cool $2.6 billion.

"I think it's easier now than ever before," Trump said of achieving his super-rich status. "There are more ways to do it."

Also making the list this year are DreamWorks heads Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, though their business partner, Jeffrey Katzenberg, fell off the list. Spielberg came in at number 245 with $2.8 billion, while Geffen bested his director buddy, ranking in 140th place with holdings of $4.4 billion.

Star Wars mastermind George Lucas again made the cut, with his $3.5 billion fortune securing his position at 194.

Other notable names include fashion magnate Ralph Lauren, whose $3.6 billion landed him the 185th spot on the list, and Roy Disney, nephew of Walt, who ranked 645th on the list, with $1.2 billion.

Forbes ranked each individual based on their private and public holdings, including salary, stocks, investments, and real estate holdings minus any debts the individual owed as of Feb. 13.