DHAKA: Pop star Madonna was the world’s top-earning celebrity over the past year, trumping the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg.

The 55-year-old Material Girl made an estimated $125m thanks to her MDNA tour, clothing and fragrance lines, according to Forbes, reports the BBC.

The magazine said it was the most money Madonna had made in a single year since it began tracking earnings in 1999.

Director Steven Spielberg was at number two with $100m.

Most of his earnings came from his back catalogue of film hits such as ‘ET’ and ‘Jurassic Park’, which has just been released in 3D to mark its 20th anniversary, as well as last year’s Oscar winning ‘Lincoln’.

The director also takes a cut of all ticket sales at Universal Studios theme parks.

Third place was a three-way tie between 50 Shades of Grey author EL James, Simon Cowell and shock jock Howard Stern, with earnings of $95m.

Thriller writer James Patterson follows with $91m, while TV and radio host Glenn Beck earned $90m.

Others in the top 10 included Transformers director Michael Bay ($82m) producer Jerry Bruckheimer ($80m) and pop star Lady Gaga ($80m).

BDST: 1438 HRS, AUG 27, 2013
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