Oprah Says...What Recession?

As we look at the short list, it becomes quite clear...

never get married!!!


Oprah Winfrey's net worth of $2.7 billion has again placed her atop Forbes' list of the wealthiest Black Americans, as the global recession cuts into the fortunes of others. She is the only billionaire on the list of 20 tycoons, all of whom are self-made.

Tiger Woods, worth an estimated $600 million, ranks second on the list. His career winnings exceed $80 million, but his real money is made off the course. His annual prize money represents less than 15% of his income, with sponsorship contracts from Nike, Gatorade, Gillette, Accenture, AT&T and others raking in at least $100 million each year.

Black Entertainment Television founder Robert Johnson became the first African American billionaire in 2000 after he sold the network to Viacom for $3 billion in stock and assumed debt. Since then, sagging Viacom and CBS stock, plus investments in real estate, hotels and banks--industries pummeled in the past year amid the recession--have dragged Johnson's net worth to an estimated $550 million. He ranks third on the list; while his former wife and BET co-founder, Sheila Johnson, ranks seventh with $400 million.

Damn, she got half. Write a book, Sheila. YOu are the true baller on this list!!!

Rounding out the top five are two basketball greats: Michael Jordan ($525 million) and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr. ($500 million), both of whom parlayed their time on the court into lucrative endorsement and business deals in retirement.