History of Oprah Winfrey in Timeline
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.
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.
1971: Meeting William "Bubba" Taylor
In 1971, Oprah Winfrey met William "Bubba" Taylor at Tennessee State University after breaking up with Otey. He became her "first intense, to-die-for love affair", according to CBS journalist George Mair. She helped him get a job at WVOL and tried to keep him, but he was unwilling to move with her to Baltimore.
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.
1977: Moved to lower profile roles at WJZ-TV
In 1977, Oprah Winfrey was removed as co-anchor at WJZ-TV and worked in lower profile positions at the station.
August 14, 1978: Premiere of People Are Talking
On August 14, 1978, Oprah Winfrey co-hosted the premiere of WJZ's local talk show People Are Talking alongside Richard Sher.
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.
January 2, 1984: First Episode of AM Chicago
On January 2, 1984, the first episode of AM Chicago aired with Oprah Winfrey as the host after she relocated to Chicago.
1985: Alleged drug-related affair
In 1985, Oprah Winfrey was allegedly involved in a drug-related affair with Randolph Cook, who claimed they lived together for several months and used drugs. Cook later attempted to sue Winfrey for $20 million in 1997 over a blocked tell-all book about their relationship.
1985: Relationship with Reginald Chevalier
In 1985, before Oprah Winfrey's Chicago talk show went national, Haitian filmmaker Reginald Chevalier claimed he had a relationship with Winfrey after appearing as a guest on her show. He described romantic evenings, candlelit baths, and dinners with Michael Jordan and Danny Glover. Chevalier says the relationship ended when Winfrey met Stedman Graham.
September 8, 1986: Nationwide Broadcast of The Oprah Winfrey Show
On September 8, 1986, The Oprah Winfrey Show was broadcast nationwide for the first time, quickly surpassing Donahue as the number-one daytime talk show in America.
1986: Beginning relationship with Stedman Graham
In 1986, Oprah Winfrey began her relationship with Stedman Graham, her partner.
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.
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.
1986: The Oprah Winfrey Show national syndication
In 1986, The Oprah Winfrey Show, which was broadcast from Chicago, began its 25-year run in national syndication, making Oprah a household name.
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.
August 1988: Time Magazine on Oprah vs. Donahue
In August 1988, Time magazine reported on the much-publicized contest between The Oprah Winfrey Show and Donahue, highlighting Oprah's success.
November 1988: Ms. Magazine Observation
In November 1988, Ms. magazine observed that Oprah Winfrey challenged societal norms about body image by succeeding in a medium that favors thinness and "white-bread prettiness" while making "fat sexy, elegant" with her wardrobe and sensuality.
1989: Death of Half-Brother Jeffrey
In 1989, Jeffrey, Oprah Winfrey's half-brother, died of AIDS-related causes.
1989: Production and Co-Starring in The Women of Brewster Place
In 1989, Oprah Winfrey produced and co-starred in the drama miniseries The Women of Brewster Place and its short-lived spin-off, Brewster Place.
1989: NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame Induction
In 1989, Oprah Winfrey was accepted into the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame.
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.
1992: Moderation of ABC Afterschool Specials
From 1992 to 1994, Oprah Winfrey moderated three ABC Afterschool Specials, adding to her television presence.
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: Moderation of ABC Afterschool Specials
From 1992 to 1994, Oprah Winfrey moderated three ABC Afterschool Specials, adding to her television presence.
1994: Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame
In 1994, Oprah Winfrey was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, honoring her significant achievements.
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.
April 16, 1996: Mad Cow Disease Show Airing
On April 16, 1996, during a show about mad cow disease with Howard Lyman, Oprah Winfrey stated she was stopped cold from eating another burger. This remark led to a lawsuit from Texas cattlemen in early 1998.
1996: Introduction of Oprah's Book Club
In late 1996, Oprah Winfrey introduced the Oprah's Book Club segment on her television show. This segment highlighted new books and classics, bringing obscure novels to popular attention and creating "the Oprah Effect" on book sales.
April 1997: Guest appearance on Ellen
In April 1997, Oprah Winfrey played the therapist in "The Puppy Episode" on the sitcom Ellen, during which Ellen DeGeneres's character came out as a lesbian.
1997: Ellen Sitcom Appearance
In 1997, Oprah Winfrey played a therapist on an episode of the sitcom Ellen, in which Ellen DeGeneres's character came out of the closet. This appearance led to persistent rumors about Winfrey and her best friend Gayle King being gay.
1997: Randolph Cook sues Oprah
In 1997, Randolph Cook, a self-proclaimed former boyfriend, sued Oprah Winfrey for $20 million for allegedly blocking a tell-all book about their alleged relationship in 1985.
1998: Most Powerful Person in Entertainment
In 1998, Oprah Winfrey became the first woman and first African American to top Entertainment Weekly's list of the 101 most powerful people in the entertainment industry.
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: Winfrey begins conversation with Gary Zukav
In 1998, Oprah Winfrey began an ongoing conversation with Gary Zukav, an American spiritual teacher, who appeared on her television show 35 times.
1998: Winfrey Creates Oprah's Angel Network
In 1998, Oprah Winfrey created Oprah's Angel Network, a charity that supported charitable projects and provided grants to nonprofit organizations around the world.
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.
1998: Winfrey named America's favorite TV personality
In 1998, Oprah Winfrey was named America's favorite television personality according to the Harris poll.
1998: Cattlemen Lawsuit
In early 1998, Texas cattlemen sued Oprah Winfrey and Howard Lyman for "false defamation of perishable food" and "business disparagement" due to Winfrey's remarks about mad cow disease, claiming that her comments sent cattle prices tumbling and cost beef producers $11 million. She was found not liable on February 26 after a two-month trial.
2000: Richest African American of the 20th Century
By 2000, Oprah Winfrey's net worth reached $800 million, making her the richest African American of the 20th century. A course at the University of Illinois, "History 298: Oprah Winfrey, the Tycoon", focused on her business acumen.
2000: Winfrey awarded the Spingarn Medal
In 2000, Oprah Winfrey was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP, recognizing her contributions and achievements.
2000: Winfrey named America's favorite TV personality again
In 2000, Oprah Winfrey was named America's favorite television personality according to the Harris poll for the second time.
2001: Chatman found liable for fraud
In 2001, Lavern Chatman, for whom Oprah Winfrey held a fundraiser in April 2014, was found liable for her role in a scheme to defraud nursing-home employees.
2001: Winfrey hosts Prayer for America service and airs Islam 101
In 2001, twelve days after the September 11 attacks, Oprah Winfrey hosted a Prayer for America service at Yankee Stadium and aired a controversial show called "Islam 101", portraying Islam as a religion of peace.
2002: Winfrey receives Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
At the 2002 Emmy Awards, Oprah Winfrey was the recipient of the first Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for services to television and film.
2002: Oprah After the Show on Oxygen
From 2002 to 2006, Oprah Winfrey's Oprah After the Show program aired on the women's cable television network Oxygen.
2002: Christianity Today publishes "The Church of O"
In 2002, Christianity Today published an article called "The Church of O," highlighting Oprah Winfrey's emergence as an influential spiritual leader with a large following.
2002: Winfrey invited to join US delegation to Afghanistan
In 2002, George W. Bush invited Oprah Winfrey to join a US delegation to Afghanistan to celebrate the return of Afghan girls to school, but the trip was postponed when she declined to participate.
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.
February 2003: Series interrupted by Bush and Powell press conference
In February 2003, a series of Oprah Winfrey's show, featuring people asking America not to go to war, was interrupted by network broadcasts of a press conference by President George W. Bush and Colin Powell summarizing the case for war.
November 2003: Gallup Poll on Winfrey's Favorability
A November 2003 Gallup poll estimated that 73% of American adults had a favorable view of Oprah Winfrey.
2003: First Black Woman Billionaire
In 2003, Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman billionaire in the world, according to Forbes.
2004: Listed as World's Only Black Billionaire
From 2004 to 2006, Forbes listed Oprah Winfrey as the world's only black billionaire.
2004: One of the Most Influential People
From 2004 to 2011, TIME recognized Oprah Winfrey as one of the most influential people.
2004: Winfrey Films "Oprah's Christmas Kindness" Episode in South Africa
In 2004, Oprah Winfrey and her team filmed an episode of her show, "Oprah's Christmas Kindness", in South Africa to bring attention to children affected by poverty and AIDS, distributing presents and appealing for donations to Oprah's Angel Network.
2004: Winfrey ranks among 50 most generous Americans
In 2004, Oprah Winfrey became the first Black person to rank among the 50 most generous Americans.
2005: World's Most Powerful Celebrity
In 2005, Forbes named Oprah Winfrey the world's most powerful celebrity.
2005: Greatest Woman in American History
In 2005, Oprah Winfrey was named the greatest woman in American history in a public poll as part of The Greatest American, ranking No. 9 overall.
2005: Kathleen Rooney's Analysis of Winfrey's Book Club
In Reading with Oprah: The Book Club that Changed America (2005), Kathleen Rooney described Oprah Winfrey as "a serious American intellectual who pioneered the use of electronic media, specifically television and the Internet, to take reading – a decidedly non-technological and highly individual act – and highlight its social elements and uses in such a way to motivate millions of erstwhile non-readers to pick up books."
August 2006: Addressing gay rumors in O magazine
In August 2006, Oprah Winfrey addressed persistent rumors about her and Gayle King being gay in O, the Oprah Magazine. Winfrey stated that she understood why people thought they were gay, given the close nature of their bond, but denied the rumors.
2006: Oprah After the Show moves to Oprah.com
From 2002 to 2006, Oprah Winfrey's Oprah After the Show program aired on the women's cable television network Oxygen before moving to Oprah.com when Winfrey sold her stake in the network.
2006: Listed as World's Only Black Billionaire
From 2004 to 2006, Forbes listed Oprah Winfrey as the world's only black billionaire.
2006: Highest-Paid Television Entertainer
In 2006, Oprah Winfrey became the highest-paid television entertainer in the United States, earning an estimated $260 million during the year, surpassing music executive Simon Cowell.
2006: Winfrey recalls controversies and receives support from Michael Moore
In 2006, Oprah Winfrey recalled controversies, such as receiving hate mail for questioning whether war was the only answer, while filmmaker Michael Moore defended her for showing antiwar footage.
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: Confrontation with James Frey
In 2006, after fabrications were found in James Frey's A Million Little Pieces, Oprah Winfrey confronted him on her show over the breach of trust.
2006: Assessment of Oprah's Influence
In 2006, columnist Maureen Dowd stated that Oprah Winfrey is "the top alpha female in this country" and has more credibility than the president. Bill O'Reilly described her as the most powerful woman in the world, highlighting her loyal following, credibility, and talent.
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: Gallup Poll on Winfrey's Favorability
A Gallup poll in January 2007 estimated Oprah Winfrey's favorability at 74% among American adults.
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.
September 8, 2007: Oprah holds fundraiser for Obama
On September 8, 2007, Oprah Winfrey held a fundraiser for Barack Obama at her Santa Barbara estate, showing her support for his presidential campaign.
October 2007: Decline in Gallup Poll Favorability
In October 2007, a Gallup poll showed that Oprah Winfrey's favorability had dropped to 66%.
December 9, 2007: Winfrey joins Obama for rally in South Carolina
On December 9, 2007, Oprah Winfrey joined Barack Obama for a rally in Columbia, South Carolina, drawing a crowd of nearly 30,000 people, the largest for any political event that year.
December 2007: Fox News Poll on Winfrey's Favorability
A December 2007 Fox News poll put Oprah Winfrey's favorability at 55%.
December 2007: Winfrey campaigns with Obama in primary states
In December 2007, Oprah Winfrey joined Barack Obama for a series of rallies in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina to support his presidential campaign.
2007: Oprah Ranked Most Influential Woman
By 2007, Oprah Winfrey was often ranked as the most influential woman in the world.
2007: Winfrey endorses "The Secret"
In 2007, Oprah Winfrey began to endorse "The Secret", a self-help program, leading to criticism regarding its pseudoscience and potential psychological harm.
2007: Winfrey gains popularity in Arab world
In 2007, The Wall Street Journal reported that Oprah Winfrey was gaining popularity in the Arab world, with MBC 4 centering its programming around reruns of her show to attract female viewers in Saudi Arabia.
2007: Most Influential Woman
In 2007, USA Today ranked Oprah Winfrey as the most influential woman and most influential black person of the previous quarter-century. Ladies' Home Journal also ranked her number one in their list of the most powerful women in America, and then Senator Barack Obama called her "the most influential woman in the country".
January 15, 2008: Announcement of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
On January 15, 2008, Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications announced plans to transform Discovery Health Channel into OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
2008: Increased Yearly Income
By 2008, Oprah Winfrey's yearly income had increased to $275 million.
2008: World's Most Powerful Celebrity
In 2008, Forbes named Oprah Winfrey the world's most powerful celebrity.
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).
2008: Winfrey endorses Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth"
In 2008, Oprah Winfrey endorsed Eckhart Tolle's book, "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose", leading to millions of extra copies sold and sparking controversy over her spiritual views.
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.
2008: Winfrey named PETA's Person of the Year
In 2008, Oprah Winfrey was named Person of the Year by PETA for using her fame to help animals and uncover cruelty in puppy mills and factory farms.
2008: Show airing in 140 countries
In 2008, Oprah Winfrey's show was airing in 140 countries internationally and seen by an estimated 46 million people in the US weekly, showcasing its global reach.
2008: Most Powerful Woman in Entertainment
In 2008, The Hollywood Reporter named Oprah Winfrey, as chairman of Harpo Inc., the most powerful woman in entertainment.
2008: The Oprah Winfrey Show broadcast in Arabic
In 2008, The New York Times reported that The Oprah Winfrey Show was broadcast twice each weekday on MBC 4 with Arabic subtitles, contributing to Winfrey's popularity among women in Saudi Arabia.
2008: Endorsement worth millions of votes
In 2008, economists estimated that Oprah Winfrey's endorsement of Barack Obama was worth over a million votes in the Democratic primary race, playing a crucial role in his nomination.
2008: Viewership declines to 7.3 million
In 2008, viewership for The Oprah Winfrey Show declined to around 7.3 million viewers, though it remained the highest-rated talk show.
2009: Apology to James Frey
In 2009, Oprah Winfrey apologized to James Frey for the public confrontation that occurred after fabrications were found in his book.
2009: Winfrey films interviews in Denmark
In 2009, Oprah Winfrey filmed a series of interviews in Denmark, highlighting its citizens as the happiest people in the world, leading to criticism from Fox News.
2009: Winfrey named America's favorite TV personality for 7th time
In 2009, Oprah Winfrey was named America's favorite television personality according to the Harris poll for the seventh time.
2009: Initial Scheduled Launch of OWN Delayed
In 2009, the scheduled launch of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network was delayed. It launched on January 1, 2011.
May 2010: Oprah's Angel Network Shuts Down
In May 2010, with Oprah's show ending, Oprah's Angel Network charity stopped accepting donations and was shut down.
September 2010: One of the World's 50 Most Influential Figures
In September 2010, Oprah Winfrey was voted 38th in the list of "The World's 50 Most Influential Figures 2010" by the British magazine New Statesman.
2010: Bill O'Reilly criticizes Winfrey's Denmark shows
In 2010, Bill O'Reilly of Fox News criticized Oprah Winfrey's shows filmed in Denmark, claiming they promoted a left-wing society.
2010: World's Most Powerful Celebrity
In 2010, Forbes named Oprah Winfrey the world's most powerful celebrity.
2010: One of 100 People Who Changed the World
In 2010, Life magazine named Oprah Winfrey one of the 100 people who changed the world, alongside figures like Jesus Christ and Elvis Presley. Winfrey was the only living woman on the list.
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.
2010: Winfrey remains among the top 50 most generous Americans
In 2010, Oprah Winfrey remained among the top 50 most generous Americans.
January 1, 2011: Launch of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
On January 1, 2011, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network officially launched after being delayed from its initially scheduled launch in 2009.
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.
2011: One of the Most Influential People
From 2004 to 2011, TIME recognized Oprah Winfrey as one of the most influential people. Winfrey is the only person to have appeared in the latter list on ten occasions.
2011: End of The Oprah Winfrey Show
In 2011, The Oprah Winfrey Show concluded its 25-year run in national syndication.
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 Donates to Educational Causes
By 2012, Oprah Winfrey had given away approximately $400 million to educational causes.
2013: World's Most Powerful Celebrity
In 2013, Forbes named Oprah Winfrey the world's most powerful celebrity.
2013: Winfrey Donates to Smithsonian Museum and Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2013, Oprah Winfrey donated $12 million to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. Later that year, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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.
April 2014: Winfrey speaks at fundraiser for Lavern Chatman
In April 2014, Oprah Winfrey spoke at a fundraiser in Arlington, Virginia, for Lavern Chatman, a candidate for election to the U.S. House of Representatives, despite reports of Chatman's past legal liabilities.
2014: Richest Self-Made Woman in America
As of 2014, Oprah Winfrey had a net worth exceeding 2.9 billion dollars, surpassing former eBay CEO Meg Whitman as the richest self-made woman in America.
2014: Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women
In 2014, Forbes listed Oprah Winfrey as one of the world's 100 most powerful women, ranking her 14th.
2016: Winfrey endorses Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Oprah Winfrey endorsed Hillary Clinton in the presidential election, marking her support for the Democratic candidate.
2016: Winfrey selects SuperSoul 100 list
In 2016, following the launch of the Super Soul Sunday and SuperSoul Sessions programs, Oprah Winfrey selected 100 people for the SuperSoul 100 list of innovators and visionaries.
January 2017: Joins 60 Minutes as Special Contributor
In January 2017, CBS announced that Oprah Winfrey would join 60 Minutes as a special contributor, enhancing her presence in news media.
September 2017: Debut on 60 Minutes
In September 2017, Oprah Winfrey began her role as a special contributor on 60 Minutes, marking her debut on the Sunday evening news magazine program.
2017: Reason for Not Wanting Children
In a 2017 interview with Vanity Fair, Oprah Winfrey explained that she did not want to have children, stating that she wouldn't have been a good mom for babies due to a lack of patience.
2018: Winfrey campaigns for Stacey Abrams and donates to March for Our Lives
In 2018, Oprah Winfrey canvassed for Stacey Abrams in the Georgia gubernatorial election and donated $500,000 to the March for Our Lives student demonstration advocating for gun control.
2018: Winfrey denies plans to run for president
In 2018, Oprah Winfrey denied any plans to run for president, stating it was "not a clean business" and would be too difficult.
2018: Vernita Lee's death
In 2018, Vernita Lee, Oprah Winfrey's mother, passed away.
2018: Opening of Exhibit on Oprah's Cultural Influence
In 2018, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened a special exhibit on Oprah Winfrey's cultural influence through television, recognizing her impact.
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.
March 21, 2020: Debut of Oprah Talks COVID-19
On March 21, 2020, Oprah Talks COVID-19 debuted during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a platform for discussing relevant issues.
July 30, 2020: Premiere of The Oprah Conversation
On July 30, 2020, The Oprah Conversation premiered, with Oprah Winfrey exploring impactful and relevant topics with thought leaders.
2020: Calls for Winfrey to Denounce Dr. Oz
In 2020, there were calls for Oprah Winfrey to denounce medical statements made by her former protégé, Dr. Oz, particularly regarding coronavirus and his promotion of a poorly vetted drug as a cure.
2020: Speculation about Winfrey running for president
In the lead-up to the 2020 election, there was media speculation about Oprah Winfrey potentially running for president, but she ultimately denied any plans to do so, although she did campaign for Joe Biden during the general election.
2021: Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
In 2021, Oprah Winfrey was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, acknowledging her contributions to various fields.
2022: Winfrey endorses John Fetterman and Wes Moore
In 2022, Oprah Winfrey endorsed Democrat John Fetterman in the Pennsylvania Senate election and Baltimore author Wes Moore in the Maryland gubernatorial election, co-hosting a virtual fundraiser for Moore in June.
2022: Winfrey sets up OWN Your Vote
In 2022, Oprah Winfrey set up OWN Your Vote, a nonpartisan group focused on voter registration and a get-out-the-vote campaign, especially aimed at providing Black women with tools and resources to vote.
2022: Vernon Winfrey's death
In 2022, Vernon Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey's father, passed away.
January 18, 2023: Winfrey speaks at Wes Moore's gubernatorial inauguration
On January 18, 2023, Oprah Winfrey attended and spoke at Wes Moore's gubernatorial inauguration in Maryland, solidifying her support for the newly elected governor.
2023: Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women
In 2023, Forbes listed Oprah Winfrey as one of the world's 100 most powerful women, ranking her 31st.
August 21, 2024: Winfrey endorses Kamala Harris at the DNC
On August 21, 2024, Oprah Winfrey endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, demonstrating her continued involvement in political endorsements.
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