Oprah Most Generous Black Philanthropists

For the second year Oprah Winfrey is the only black on Business Week's The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists list. Oprah became the first black person to ever be on this list last year. Business Week estimates Oprah has given to charity $253 million in her life time. She is in the 32nd position on this years list with $212 million given or pledged between 2001 and 2005.

Winfrey who is ranked #235 on the Forbes Magazine 400 Richest Americans list with a networth of $1.4 billion, puts her money into education, women, children and family causes.

In an interview with Business Week's Michelle Conlin last year, Oprah said, "The Oprah Winfrey Foundation has been committed to empowering women, children, and families by furthering education and welfare for low-opportunity communities around the world." She said her foundation will continue its Global focus. "Right now, the single biggest project my foundation is working on is building The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls South Africa, which will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 million and will educate close to 5,000 girls in a 10-year period. It's my vision that this academy will help to develop the future leaders of South Africa and be a source of pride for South Africans for generations to come."

Topping the list this year was Intel co-founder Gordon and wife Betty Moore ($7 billion) replacing last years top givers Bill and Melinda Gates($5.5 billion).