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. She is renowned for 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' a nationally syndicated talk show that aired for 25 years. Winfrey is the richest Black woman globally and a wealthy female celebrity, once considered the world's only Black billionaire. Often ranked among the most influential women, she is dubbed the "Queen of All Media." Her career spans decades, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in media and culture.

Sections (6)

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

April 15, 1900: Hattie Mae (Presley) Lee's birth

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

1933: Vernon Winfrey's birth

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

1935: Vernita Lee's birth

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

January 29, 1954: Oprah Winfrey's birth

On January 29, 1954, Oprah Gail Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Initially named Orpah, her name was later changed due to frequent mispronunciation.

1962: Oprah sent to live with her father

By 1962, Oprah's mother, Lee, was having difficulty raising both daughters, so Winfrey was temporarily sent to live with Vernon in Nashville, Tennessee.

February 27, 1963: Hattie Mae (Presley) Lee's death

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

June 1976: Moving to Baltimore

In June 1976, Oprah Winfrey moved to Baltimore to work at WJZ-TV, ending her relationship with William "Bubba" Taylor, who was unwilling to leave Nashville with Winfrey. Winfrey recalled that they cared for each other and shared a deep love she would never forget.

1976: Joins WLAC-TV as News Anchor

In 1976, Oprah Winfrey moved to Baltimore's WLAC-TV, becoming the youngest and first black female news anchor at the station.

September 8, 1981: Writing a suicide note

On September 8, 1981, Winfrey wrote a suicide note to her best friend Gayle King, instructing her to water her plants. This occurred during a period of depression resulting from a four-year affair with a married man. Winfrey later reflected on the note, stating that she realized she couldn't go through with it because she feared missing out on something good.

1986: Public Announcement of Sexual Abuse

In 1986, Oprah Winfrey publicly announced on her TV show that she had been molested by family members starting at the age of nine, sharing her personal experience with sexual abuse.

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1986: Oprah Reflects on Her Father's Impact

In 1986, Oprah Winfrey stated that her father saved her by providing structure and expectations when she moved back in with him, significantly changing the course of her life.

1987: Completion of College Degree

In 1987, Oprah Winfrey submitted her final paper and earned her degree from Tennessee State University, a historically black institution, while already being a successful television personality.

1989: Death of Half-Brother Jeffrey

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

1990: Betrayal by Family Member

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

November 1992: Engagement to Stedman Graham

In November 1992, Oprah Winfrey became engaged to Stedman Graham, though the marriage ceremony never took place.

October 1994: Finishing the Marine Corps Marathon

In October 1994, Oprah Winfrey completed the Marine Corps Marathon in under four and a half hours.

1994: Shift in Winfrey's show content

Since 1994, Oprah Winfrey shifted her talk-show fare for more edifying content, marking a significant change in the direction of her program.

1998: "Change Your Life TV" begins

In 1998, Oprah Winfrey began "Change Your Life TV", solidifying her role as a spiritual leader to her large female viewership.

1998: Hosting 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 Patricia, Oprah's half-sister

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

2006: Oprah Winfrey's genetic test

In 2006, a genetic test revealed that Oprah Winfrey's matrilineal line originated among the Kpelle ethnic group from the area that became Liberia.

2006: Winfrey takes staff to Hawaii

In the summer of 2006, to celebrate two decades on national TV, Oprah Winfrey took her staff and their families (1,065 people in total) 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 and state-of-the-art facilities.

2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama & Formation of OWN

In 2008, Oprah Winfrey endorsed Barack Obama, estimated to be worth one million votes. She also formed her own network, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

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2008: Throwing Maya Angelou's 80th Birthday Celebration

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.

2010: Discovery of Second Half-Sister

In 2010, Oprah Winfrey discovered that she had a second half-sister, also named Patricia, who had been put up for adoption.

May 25, 2011: The Oprah Winfrey Show series finale

On May 25, 2011, the series finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired, marking the end of its 25-year run.

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2011: End of The Oprah Winfrey Show

In 2011, The Oprah Winfrey Show concluded its 25-year run in national syndication.

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2012: Winfrey's Scholarships to Morehouse College

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

2013: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2013, Oprah Winfrey was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, recognizing her contributions to society.

2018: Vernita Lee's death

In 2018, Vernita Lee, Oprah Winfrey's mother, passed away.

2018: Winfrey meets with Mohammad bin Salman

In early 2018, Oprah Winfrey met with Mohammad bin Salman, the crown prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, during his visit to the United States.