Tyra Banks is the top-earning woman on TV.
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The former supermodel, who hosts two hit US shows, raked in a staggering $23 million between June 2007 and June 2008, according to a new list by Forbes.com.
Tyra was responsible for creating daytime TV programme The Tyra Banks Show and America’s Next Top Model, on which she is also a producer and judge.
Last year, the 34-year-old beauty signed a lucrative deal with Warner Bros, which will involve her launching Stylista – a new reality show set around a magazine.
Tyra is also developing a straight-to-DVD series based on Clique, a popular series of best-selling books for teenagers.
Forbes.com staff writer Lacey Rose said: “There is still plenty of money to be made in television. Although the days of $1 million per-episode salaries may be long gone, TV’s top-earning women are finding other ways to cash in.”
Another supermodel finished in second place. Heidi Klum, who hosts hit fashion shows Project Runway and Germany’s Next Top Model, made an impressive $14 million. Heidi is a success businesswoman with several different ventures, including her own jewellery, jeans and skincare lines.
Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl – who won a best actress Emmy award for her role as Dr Izzie Stevens in the popular medical drama last year – came third after earning $13 million. The majority of her fortune was generated from films including Knocked Up and 27 Dresses and from lucrative endorsement deals.
In fourth place was Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria with $9 million. The 33-year-old beauty’s high ranking was partly thanks to her being the face of L’Oreal shampoo and Bebe Sport’s athletic wear.
E.R. star Maura Tierney ($7.5 million) rounded off the top five.
The list was compiled from estimated earnings from TV work, as well as production, movie, endorsement and fashion ventures.
Forbes.com Prime-Time TV’s five Top-Earning Women 2008:
1. Tyra Banks – $23 million
2. Heidi Klum – $14 million
3. Katherine Heigl – $13 million
4. Eva Longoria – $9 million
5. Maura Tierney – $7.5 million
