Oprah Winfrey surges past Jay-Z on world’s richest list with $2.8-billion net worth

Oprah Winfrey, America’s beloved talk show host and media magnate, has surged past Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, the hip-hop legend turned business mogul, on the world’s richest list. Her fortune in recent times has soared by $300 million from $2.5 billion to $2.8 billion.

With her net worth now standing at an impressive $2.8 billion, Winfrey, who presently ranks as the world’s richest Black woman, has cemented her position among the world’s Black billionaires, surpassing Jay-Z, whose net worth currently rests at $2.5 billion.

Forbes’ latest rankings position Winfrey as the world’s 1,057th richest person, leaving Jay-Z behind at the 1,224th spot. Notably, the two were previously tied at the same net worth of $2.5 billion, sharing a prominent spot on the world’s richest list.

Winfrey’s burgeoning wealth firmly solidifies her position within the elite ranks of the world’s most affluent Black billionaires, alongside notable names such as basketball legend Michael Jordan, Africa’s wealthiest man Aliko Dangote, African-American billionaires Robert F. Smith and David Steward, and Nigerian billionaires Abdul Samad Rabiu and Mike Adenuga.

The $300-million increase in Oprah Winfrey’s net worth in recent times can be attributed to the revaluation of her vast portfolio of assets and her diverse business ventures across the media and entertainment industry. Her investments in various companies and extensive real estate holdings have also played a pivotal role in her financial ascent.

Winfrey’s journey from a talk show host to a billionaire media mogul serves as an inspiration to people from all walks of life, particularly those from marginalized communities. Her enduring impact on the media industry and her diverse range of investments continue to solidify her status as a powerful and influential figure on the global stage.

Widely referred to as the “Queen of Talk,” she has built a thriving media empire, with Harpo Productions as one of its cornerstones. This production company has co-produced iconic films such as “The Color Purple,” “Beloved,” and “Selma,” earning her critical acclaim and financial success.

Winfrey’s influence in the media industry extends far beyond Harpo Productions. She owns a 25.5-percent stake in the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), a cable channel established in 2011. Additionally, her investment includes a seven-percent stake in Weight Watchers, a global company valued at $630 million, which specializes in weight loss and maintenance services.