Forbes magazine has been publishing the Celebrity 100 list annually since 1999, succeeding its earlier Forbes Top 40 entertainers list. Until 2014, the rankings were determined using various factors such as earnings, social media presence, magazine covers, and other qualitative metrics to evaluate overall “power.” However, starting in 2015, the rankings have been based solely on pre-tax earnings from the previous June to the current June, before deducting fees for managers, lawyers, and agents.
1990s
1999
- Michael Jordan – Sportsperson (Basketball)
- Oprah Winfrey – Television personality
- Leonardo DiCaprio – Actor
- Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian
- Steven Spielberg – Filmmaker
- Spice Girls – Musicians
- Harrison Ford – Actor
- Robin Williams – Comedian
- Celine Dion – Musician
- The Rolling Stones – Musicians
2000s
2000
- Julia Roberts – Actress
- George Lucas – Filmmaker
- Oprah Winfrey – Television personality
- Tom Hanks – Actor
- Michael Jordan – Sportsperson (Basketball)
- The Rolling Stones – Musicians
- Tiger Woods – Sportsperson (Golf)
- Backstreet Boys – Musicians
- Cher – Musician
- Steven Spielberg – Filmmaker
2001
- Tom Cruise – Actor
- Tiger Woods – Sportsperson (Golf)
- The Beatles – Musicians
- Britney Spears – Musician
- Bruce Willis – Actor
- Michael Jordan – Sportsperson (Basketball)
- Backstreet Boys – Musicians
- NSYNC – Musicians
- Oprah Winfrey – Television personality
- Mel Gibson – Actor
2010s
2010
- Oprah Winfrey – Television personality
- Beyoncé – Musician
- James Cameron – Filmmaker
- Lady Gaga – Musician
- Tiger Woods – Sportsperson (Golf)
- Britney Spears – Musician
- U2 – Musicians
- Sandra Bullock – Actress
- Johnny Depp – Actor
- Madonna – Musician
2011
- Lady Gaga – Musician
- Oprah Winfrey – Television personality
- Justin Bieber – Musician
- U2 – Musicians
- Elton John – Musician
- Tiger Woods – Sportsperson (Golf)
- Taylor Swift – Musician
- Bon Jovi – Musicians
- Simon Cowell – Television personality
- LeBron James – Sportsperson (Basketball)
2020s
2020
- Kylie Jenner – Media Personality
- Kanye West – Rapper
- Roger Federer – Athlete (Tennis)
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Athlete (Association football)
- Lionel Messi – Athlete (Association football)
- Tyler Perry – Actor
- Neymar – Athlete (Association football)
- Howard Stern – Radio personality
- LeBron James – Athlete (Basketball)
- Dwayne Johnson – Actor
Since 2015, Forbes has exclusively ranked celebrities based on their pre-tax earnings, emphasizing financial success over other “power” factors such as media presence or magazine covers. Over the years, this list has included some of the most iconic and influential names across various industries, from sports and music to film and television.
