Kristen Stewart tops Forbes' highest-paid actresses list

Kristen Stewart arrives at the Snow White & The Huntsman Australian Premiere at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction on June 19, 2012, in Sydney, Australia.

/ Getty

(CBS News) Kristen Stewart tops Forbes' highest-paid actress list, raking in $34.5 million between May 2011 to May 2012.

Stewart, 22, is also the youngest woman on Forbes' list by 16 years.

Pictures: Kristen Stewart

Why Stewart? Her multiple appearances in the "Twilight" film series has helped propel her to the top of list.

"Suddenly, the star becomes indispensable and the studio has to pay up," Forbes explains. "That's why Kristen Stewart has vaulted to the top of our annual list of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood."

Coming in second is Cameron Diaz at $34 million over the same time-frame, followed by Sandra Bullock with $11 million.

Rounding out the top five are Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron. Julia Roberts is the sixth highest-paid actress, according to Forbes, followed by Sarah Jessica Parker and Meryl Streep.

Overall, though, Forbes points out that Hollywood women trail far behind men in earnings.

"The 10 women who make up our list earned a total $200 million compared to the $361 million brought in by our top 10 men," Forbes noted.

See the full Forbes list here.

18 Photos

Kristen Stewart

[arylian]

And yet, even with all you haters, she still managed to make all this money... jealous much?

[arylian]

lol... what a bunch of jealous haters you are... so funny. =p

[Filmguy870]

not haters...lovers of TALENT!

[notredamegirl77]

I agree with all of the above comments!!

[train99]

But these people could show up at a Occupy Wall Street protest and sign autographs. They don't fit the white businessman corporation image, are young or sexy or beautiful or techie - and so they are OKAY. Destined to be billionaires by 30 while others, including those who follow them on the internet, have nothing, yet by their very following these people MAKE them rich.
But that's okay, isn't it.

[Filmguy870]

??

[formerlyluvnut]

Who?

[RighteousOffender]

Despite being dull, awkward, talentless, and without an iota of screen presence....she scores. I wouldn't pay a nickel to see her in anything.....but good for her.

[lilredscout]

She is a terrible actress and cannot believe that she is paid exorbitant fees. She is just terrible. Are you Stupid or what?

[mantlebuck]

And people complain about corporate executives making too much money. Stewart can not act at all. She was lucky to be in a movie that was popular and barely had any lines in it.Why people make such a big deal out of these primadonna hollywood celebrities is nuts.

[wlhoppers]

She isn't worth a thousand dollars, let alone 34.5 million.

[Filmguy870]

K. Stewart? Really...Actress??? hmmm...not so much.

[wlhoppers]

No kidding! She's an A-list wanna-be.

She may be an ok actress, but what really detracts from her image is her constant look of boredom, looking like she's wishing she were someplace else. Doesn't matter whether it's an awards show or an interview. And she's so poorly spoken. Will Smith once said, "If you're getting paid a million dollars as an athlete or actor, if you can't speak well, get a speech coach."

[Filmguy870]

NOT an ok actress....easily contained by a wet paper bag.....