Rachael Ray went from scraping together the rent as a candy counter girl to a multi-millionaire with her own talk show, cooking show(s), magazine, and books that have sold more than 4 million copies. She's also spawned a lingo all her own. (EVOO for Extra Virgin Olive Oil has entered the popular vernacular). All this in a little under ten years.
How cool is that?
Love her or hate her, Rachael Ray, she of the perky smile and Girl-next-door demeanor, gets major points for translating her love of cooking into a multi-million media empire. People can't seem to get enough of her "regular gal" persona. But her bubbly personality masks some serious business savvy.
Using her mentor Oprah Winfrey as a blueprint, Ray has expanded out of the kitchen this year into many other avenues. Her one-hour daytime talk show, The Rachel Ray Show, is patterned after the perennially popular Oprah Winfrey Show, and was the only syndicated daytime talk show launched in 2007 to be renewed. Her Food Network shows continue to be among the most popular on the channel.
She also cooked up some lucrative endorsement deals with name brands such as Dunkin Donuts and Nabisco -- now owned by Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT). These media venues help feed her magazine (Every Day with Rachel Ray) and cookbook sales.
These are like the cherry on top of the $16 million Ray took home this year, according to Forbes magazine. By some estimates, Ray's net worth is touching $100 million, but that's hard to verify. One thing's for sure, this gal doesn't need to get out of the kitchen; she's proving that she can stand the heat.
Be sure to check out more Money Winners of 2007.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-11-2008 @ 12:00PM
George Poahway said...
Rachel Ray has the biggest smile on day-time TV and weather you like it or not, she will be around for years to come. I watch her show everyday to get a glimps of her beautiful smiling mouth.......
2-11-2008 @ 12:05PM
George said...
Go Rachel! You make being at home during the daytime hrs bearable. Your 30 min recipes are great. Keep up the good work and smile big!!!
12-14-2007 @ 7:51AM
Steve said...
Rich or poor, I'd love to see her in a Hooter's waitress uniform. Oy vey!
12-28-2007 @ 12:20PM
harley said...
Leave her like she is Steve,we need more Rachael Ray's for our young viewers today. She is helping to bring TV back the way it usto be and should be.
Harley
12-14-2007 @ 9:13AM
Helen said...
I watch the Food Channel all the time with the exception of when Rachael Ray is on. She is not as cut and she thinks she is. Between her stupid expressions and faces, I can't stand it.
12-14-2007 @ 12:37PM
Liz said...
She is so over exposed and such a fraud. I would
have thought her 15 minutes should have been
over by now. Horrible example to anyone who
really wants to cook. She will shill for anything and
does.
12-15-2007 @ 12:28PM
Garry said...
Rachael looks, talks and acts like white trash because she is: she doesn't even know who her father is. She is mean to her mother who isn't much better than she is! From a neighbor.
12-14-2007 @ 2:17PM
Deirdre said...
Sometimes she comes dangerously close to reminding me of a jollier Leona Helmsley.
12-15-2007 @ 2:15AM
DDG said...
Go to hell! Rachael is a ROCK STAR !!! YOU GO GIRL
12-15-2007 @ 12:10PM
moon said...
Wow RACHELS GOT IT GO GIRL i hope she gets another 100 mil well deserved. i only wish she was opposite to ellen d and push her off the air. i can't stand Ellen deg, sick fag bet she loves the all girl audience dancin with her she dances like a crippled kangaroo lol
12-15-2007 @ 12:14PM
moon said...
I agree with you Steve only wish! wow i love her fabulous little body, even tho she is married hehe
12-16-2007 @ 12:22PM
Istanbul said...
Her makeup is always perfect. :)
http://MakeupAdvice.blogcu.com
12-24-2007 @ 8:06PM
Dawn said...
I got to know her book online - Just in Time: All-New 30-Minutes Meals, plus Super-Fast 15-Minute Meals and Slow It Down 60-Minute Meals. It focus on simple, fresh, easy food aimed at the home cook. She is a genius at appreciating how to add little dibs and dabs of flavor to take simple ingredients and make something new. I want to eat well and have it come together quickly, this book can help me have meals that come together in 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and if you have that luxury - 60 minutes. As long as that caveat is in place, this cookbook will come in handy. My mouth is already watering thinking about trying some of the recipes! I think this is Rachael's best effort yet. For those who are looking for new flavors and quick outcome, I think it will be a great choice, you could read it at:
http://www.dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=74429
1-16-2008 @ 8:07AM
Diana said...
I must say that I did not know anything about cooking until I found Rachel Ray's recipes. Her easy and simple recipes has helped me to whipped together some delicious food and everyone eats my food now =) so I would definitely like to see more of her.