Forbes' Celebrity 100: Oprah, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga lead the women claiming SIX of top 10 spots.

Oprah Winfrey is back in her throne on top of Forbes' list of the world's most powerful celebrities, after a two-year stint in the runner-up seat.

The billionaire American talk-show host, 59, knocked singer Jennifer Lopez off the spot and into number 12, but still shares the top ten winners' enclosure arena with a multitude of women. 

There are six girls in the plum positions - and the only man to make it into the top five is film director Steven Spielberg, who, coming third, is sandwiched between Lady Gaga in second and Beyonce in fourth.

Singer and actress Madonna comes fifth and Taylor Swift makes her top 10 debut at number six in the annual Top 100 compiled by the financial magazine, which is based on income over a 12-month period and fame, as defined by a media presence across all platforms, as well as social media power.

More pics after the cut

 

Writer E.L. James is newcomer to the list at number 42, proving that celebrities with clout can come from anywhere. James has sold 70 million copies of her books and earned an estimated £50million in the last 12 months.

Forbes calculated celebrity's earnings on income from tours, books, contracts, endorsements, movies and residuals and each star was given a marketability score, created by California market research firm E-Poll. 

Forbes credits Oprah's $77 million (£50m) earnings between June 2012 and June 2013 - as well as her prominence on TV, on social media and in the press - for her placing.

Forbes writer Dorothy Pomerantz said: 'She still wields an enormous amount of power, which is really what we look for in our fame matrix.

'She is taking this cable network and turning it around just through the sheer force of her will, her connections and her ability.'

So who runs the world? Girls!

See the list below.