Oprah Winfrey Is the Most Generous Celeb, Donating $41 Million to Charity

Celebrity

Returning to the top spot for the third time, Oprah Winfrey is followed by Nora Roberts and Meryl Streep at the second and third places respectively.

December 11, 2010

AceShowbiz -

Kind-hearted Oprah Winfrey tops the list of the most charitable celebrities. The media mogul is estimated to have donated more than $41 million through her initiative, Oprah Winfrey Foundation, which helps those in need for education access and programs for women and children.

This is not the first time Oprah leads the most generous celebrities list compiled by The Giving Back Fund. In fact, it's her third on the top spot. "There are many generous celebrities, but when you can top a list of celebrity philanthropists three out of four years, as Oprah has, that is saying something," Marc Pollick, president of The Giving Back Fund, said.

Coming at the second place is novelist Nora Roberts. She gave away around $4.45 million to her organization supporting literacy, children's programs and other humanitarian efforts. Meryl Streep and her hubby Donald J. Gummer follow at the third with a total of $4 million in donation to the Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts.

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"Combined these celebrities donated nearly $80 million of their personal wealth to charities. We hope that in recognizing the extraordinary generosity of these celebrities, we will encourage and promote greater and more authentic giving among those blessed with both wealth and fame," Marc added.

The national philanthropic group relies on media reports and tax forms to collect their data. The people from the organization also speak to publicists, agents and others close to the celebrity. But pledges or promises to donate or donations to public charities, which are not publicly disclosed, are not included.