People reports that according to a list compiled by The Giving Back Fund, Winfrey is the most generous public figure by a wide margin.
In comparison to Winfrey's $40 million, writer Nora Robert stands in second place, having given away around $4.4 million.
Winfrey's donations were mostly made through the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, which funds a wide range of causes for both women and children.
"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," The Giving Back Fund's Marc Pollick said following the announcement.
The list was compiled from contributions made by celebrities over the course of 2009.
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