Winfrey donates USD 40 million to charity

Los Angeles: TV mogul Oprah Winfrey has emerged as the most charitable celebrity giving away more than USD 40 million through her foundation for causes including education and programs for women and children.

Novelist Nora Roberts came in second, donating USD 4.45 million to the Nora Roberts Foundation to support literacy in underserved communities, followed by actress Meryl Streep, who gave USD 4 million to the Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts, reported a magazine. These contributions were made in 2009, the most recent year financial information was available, according to The Giving Back Fund, which compiled the celebrity list. "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," said Marc Pollick, president of The Giving Back Fund. The organisation creates and professionally manages charitable foundations and other philanthropic programmes for entertainers, athletes, business entrepreneurs and corporations. PTI