?MUMBAI: Can’t Slow Down should be pop megastar Madonna’s mantra as she effortlessly topped Forbes top- earning celebrity list.

Madonna 55, according to Forbes list released on 26 August, took in an estimated $125 million in the past year, largely from her $305 million-grossing MDNA tour, and reinforced by sales of clothing, fragrance and various investments.

Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, earned $100 million in the year ended June 2013, sourced largely from his catalog of past hits such as ‘E.T.’ and ‘Jurassic Park.’

Three celebs share the third spot earnings of $95 million-‘50 Shades of Grey’ author E L James, radio shock jock Howard Stern and music and television producer Simon Cowell.

Others in the top 10 earners included TV host Glenn Beck, director Michael Bay of the ‘Transformers’ franchise, and thriller novelist James Patterson.

Talk show queen and media mogul Winfrey took a big pay cut to descend at No 13 with earnings of $77 million.

"Madonna's success, at age 55, just goes to show the incredible power of a successful music career," Forbes Contemporary pop diva Lady Gaga 27, ranked 10th has often been said to be channeling Madonna's four-decade-long career.

"The young star is certainly emulating Madonna when it comes to raking in money," Forbes said, with Gaga’s $80 million in earnings largely from the singer's ‘Born This Way Ball’ world tour. Forbes compiles its annual list of celebrity earnings using input from agents, managers, producers and others to calculate its estimates for each celebrity's entertainment-related earnings. The figures do not reflect tax deductions, agent fees or "the other expenses of being a celebrity."

Madonna's top spot compares with her previous peak of $110 million in 2009, but falls short of the $165 million taken in by Oprah Winfrey in the previous year, Forbes said.