We Need More: Whoopi Goldberg Is The Only Black Woman On The List Of Richest Talk Show Hosts
Whoopi Goldberg has been a national treasure to the culture for almost four decades. She began as a comedian and actor, which afforded her the accolades and career decorations that she's accumulated over the years, and ultimately landed at The View as a lead co-host, a gig she has had since 2005. Goldberg is one of a handful of people on this planet who can say she's an EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards), and yet she still manages to keep her humble, simplistic lifestyle in the forefront.
And what's even more impressive, is despite her easy-going persona, she has managed to stack quite a bit of coins in the process; $60 million coins to be exact. And not only that, since the retirement of billionaire Oprah Winfrey, she is the only black woman to have a hosting purse that large. So large, that according to Yahoo! Finance, Goldberg is one of 10 hosts listed as the richest to currently hold the title. She earns an annual salary of approximately $8 million per year and has almost 200 entertainment notches to her name (with her most famous works being Ghost and the Sister Act films). In fact, Entertainment Weekly says she was paid $7 million for her starring role in the 1993 sequel Sister Act 2, which during that time, was unprecedented.
When asked what her biggest money lesson she has learned since building her wealth, she took us to school, telling Black Enterprise:
"Know what your money is doing. There was a time when I didn't pay attention and my money disappeared. It's also important to understand how things like taxes are impacting your money. If you make $1 million, that doesn't mean that you're taking $1 million home. Then, for me, there's agents, FICA, MICA, you name it. I had to learn to figure all of that into the equation."
She continues:
"Financial literacy is a big problem. We (black folks), didn't get to accumulate wealth and are playing catch-up. We've got to learn how the stuff works. Why you need a will in order to protect your family. What is interest? How does it affect my taxes? You've really got to know what's going on and be patient with yourself."
Goldberg beat out Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon to wrap up the top eight. Stephen Colbert ($75M), Kelly Ripa ($120M), Conan O'Brien ($150M), Sharon Osbourne ($220M), Ryan Seacrest ($450M), Dr. Phil ($460M), and Ellen Degeneres ($500M) all round out the remainder of the top ten on the list.
Looks like this list could use a lil' more melanin, so...who's next?!
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Featured image by Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
Courtesy
I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
Courtesy
That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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