Early Life and Education of Oprah Winfrey: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Oprah Winfrey. From birth to education, explore key events.

Oprah Winfrey is an influential American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor. Her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, aired for 25 years and solidified her status as the "Queen of All Media." She was the richest African-American of the 20th century and the world's only black billionaire at one point. Winfrey is known for her philanthropic efforts and is often ranked among the most influential women globally.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

April 15, 1900: Hattie Mae (Presley) Lee Born

On April 15, 1900, Hattie Mae (Presley) Lee, Oprah Winfrey's maternal grandmother, was born.

1933: Vernon Winfrey Born

Vernon Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey's father, was born in 1933.

1935: Vernita Lee Born

Vernita Lee, Oprah Winfrey's mother, was born in 1935.

January 29, 1954: Oprah Winfrey Born

On January 29, 1954, Oprah Gail Winfrey, originally named Orpah Gail Winfrey, was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor known for "The Oprah Winfrey Show".

1962: Moved to Nashville

By 1962, Winfrey was temporarily sent to live with Vernon in Nashville, Tennessee, because Lee was having difficulty raising both daughters.

February 27, 1963: Hattie Mae (Presley) Lee Death

On February 27, 1963, Hattie Mae (Presley) Lee, Oprah Winfrey's maternal grandmother, passed away.

1971: Met William "Bubba" Taylor

In 1971, Oprah Winfrey met William "Bubba" Taylor at Tennessee State University, marking the start of what CBS journalist George Mair described as her "first intense, to-die-for love affair".

June 1976: Moved to Baltimore, Relationship Ended

In June 1976, Oprah Winfrey moved to Baltimore to work at WJZ-TV, which led to the end of her relationship with William "Bubba" Taylor, who was unwilling to leave Nashville.

September 8, 1981: Wrote a suicide note

On September 8, 1981, Oprah Winfrey wrote a suicide note to Gayle King due to depression from a relationship, but ultimately decided against taking her own life.

1985: Relationship with Reginald Chevalier

In 1985, Oprah Winfrey allegedly began a relationship with Haitian filmmaker Reginald Chevalier, which ended when she met Stedman Graham.

1985: Alleged Drug-Related Relationship

In 1985, Oprah Winfrey allegedly lived with Randolph Cook for several months and used drugs.

1986: Began Relationship with Stedman Graham

In 1986, Oprah Winfrey began her relationship with Stedman Graham.

1986: Turning Point in Life

In 1986, Oprah Winfrey credited her father for changing the course of her life when he took her in, emphasizing education and high expectations.

1986: Disclosure of Childhood Abuse

In 1986, Oprah Winfrey first announced on an episode of her TV show regarding sexual abuse that she was molested by her cousin, uncle, and a family friend starting when she was nine years old.

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1987: Earned College Degree

In 1987, after becoming a successful television personality, Oprah Winfrey finally submitted her final paper and earned her degree from Tennessee State University.

1989: Death of Half-Brother Jeffrey

In 1989, Jeffrey, Oprah Winfrey's half-brother, died of AIDS-related causes.

1990: Story Sold to National Enquirer

In 1990, Oprah Winfrey felt betrayed by a family member who sold the story of her deceased son to the National Enquirer.

November 1992: Engaged to Stedman Graham

In November 1992, Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham got engaged, though the ceremony never took place.

1994: Induction into National Women's Hall of Fame

In 1994, Oprah Winfrey was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and she also finished the Marine Corps Marathon in under four and a half hours.

1997: Appeared on "Ellen"

In 1997, Oprah Winfrey played a therapist on an episode of the sitcom Ellen, leading to persistent rumors about her and Gayle King's sexuality.

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1997: Lawsuit Over Tell-All Book

In 1997, Randolph Cook tried to sue Oprah Winfrey for $20 million, allegedly blocking a tell-all book about their alleged relationship.

1998: Hosted Maya Angelou's 70th Birthday Cruise

In 1998, Oprah Winfrey hosted a week-long Caribbean cruise for Maya Angelou and 150 guests to celebrate Angelou's 70th birthday.

February 2003: Death of Half-Sister Patricia

In February 2003, Patricia, Oprah Winfrey's younger half-sister, died from causes related to cocaine addiction at age 43.

2004: Winfrey Films "Oprah's Christmas Kindness" in South Africa

In 2004, Oprah Winfrey and her team filmed an episode of her show, "Oprah's Christmas Kindness", in South Africa, addressing poverty and AIDS among children, and distributed Christmas presents to 50,000 children.

August 2006: Addressed Gay Rumors in O Magazine

In the August 2006 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine, Oprah Winfrey addressed persistent rumors about her and Gayle King being gay, discussing the nature of their close bond.

2006: Genetic Test Results

In 2006, a genetic test revealed that Oprah Winfrey's matrilineal line originated from the Kpelle ethnic group in Liberia, with a genetic makeup of 89% Sub-Saharan African, 8% Native American, and 3% East Asian.

2006: Winfrey Takes Staff to Hawaii

In the summer of 2006, Oprah Winfrey celebrated two decades on national TV by taking her staff and their families (1,065 people) on vacation to Hawaii.

January 2007: Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls Opens

In January 2007, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls opened in Henley on Klip, South Africa, with 150 pupils, featuring state-of-the-art facilities.

2008: Threw Maya Angelou 80th Birthday Party

In 2008, Oprah Winfrey threw an extravagant 80th birthday celebration for Maya Angelou at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

May 2010: Oprah's Angel Network Shut Down

In May 2010, with Oprah Winfrey's show ending, Oprah's Angel Network stopped accepting donations and was shut down.

2010: Discovery of Second Half-Sister

In 2010, Oprah Winfrey learned that she had a second half-sister, Patricia.

2012: Winfrey's Scholarships to Morehouse College

As of 2012, Oprah Winfrey had given over 400 scholarships to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

2012: Winfrey's Charitable Giving Reaches $400 Million

By 2012, Oprah Winfrey had given away approximately $400 million to educational causes.

2013: Winfrey Donates to Smithsonian and Receives Medal of Freedom

In 2013, Oprah Winfrey donated $12 million to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.