Oprah Winfrey's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Oprah Winfrey. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Oprah Winfrey, an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor, rose to fame through her nationally syndicated talk show, *The Oprah Winfrey Show*, which aired for 25 years. Known as the "Queen of All Media," she became the wealthiest African-American of the 20th century and the world's only Black billionaire at one point. Winfrey is often recognized as one of the most influential women globally.

Sections (6)

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

1985: Co-starred in The Color Purple

In 1985, Oprah Winfrey co-starred in Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple" as Sofia. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.

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1989: Induction into NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame

In 1989, Oprah Winfrey was accepted into the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame.

1994: Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame

In 1994, Oprah Winfrey was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, recognizing her achievements and contributions.

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.

2000: Richest African American of the 20th century

By the year 2000, with a net worth of $800 million, Oprah Winfrey is believed to have been the richest African American of the 20th century.

2000: Awarded the Spingarn Medal

In 2000, Oprah Winfrey was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP for her contributions.

2002: O, the Oprah Magazine deemed most successful start-up

In 2002, "Fortune" called "O, the Oprah Magazine" the most successful start-up ever in the industry.

2002: Winfrey Receives Bob Hope Humanitarian Award

In 2002, Oprah Winfrey was the recipient of the first Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the Emmy Awards for services to television and film.

2003: First black woman billionaire in the world

In 2003, Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman billionaire in the world.

2004: Only black billionaire on Forbes' list

From 2004 to 2006, Oprah Winfrey was listed as the world's only black billionaire on Forbes' list of The World's Billionaires.

2004: One of TIME's most influential people

From 2004 to 2011, Oprah Winfrey was named one of the most influential people by TIME.

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 as part of a public poll as part of The Greatest American.

2006: Only black billionaire on Forbes' list

From 2004 to 2006, Oprah Winfrey was listed as the world's only black billionaire on Forbes' list of The World's Billionaires.

2006: Highest-paid television entertainer

In 2006, Oprah Winfrey was the highest-paid television entertainer in the United States, earning an estimated $260 million during the year.

2006: Bestselling issue of O, the Oprah Magazine

The January 2009 issue of "O, the Oprah Magazine" was the best-selling issue since 2006.

2007: Most Influential Woman

By 2007, Oprah Winfrey was often ranked as the most influential woman in the world, recognizing her significant impact and influence across various fields.

2007: Most influential woman and black person

In 2007, USA Today ranked Oprah Winfrey as the most influential woman and most influential black person of the previous quarter-century.

2008: Yearly income increased to $275 million

By 2008, Oprah Winfrey's yearly income had increased to $275 million, further solidifying her status as a top entertainer.

2008: World's most powerful celebrity

In 2008, Forbes named Oprah Winfrey the world's most powerful celebrity.

2008: Named PETA's Person of the Year

In 2008, Oprah Winfrey was named as the Person of the Year by animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for using her fame and listening audience to help animals.

2008: Most powerful woman in entertainment

In 2008, as chairman of Harpo Inc., Oprah Winfrey was named the most powerful woman in entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter.

January 2009: Bestselling issue of O, the Oprah Magazine

In January 2009, the issue of "O, the Oprah Magazine" was the best-selling issue since 2006.

2009: America's favorite TV personality

According to the Harris poll, in 2009 Oprah Winfrey was named America's favorite television personality.

September 2010: 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: World's most powerful celebrity

In 2010, Forbes named Oprah Winfrey the world's most powerful celebrity.

2010: One of the 100 people who changed the world

In 2010, Life magazine named Oprah Winfrey one of the 100 people who changed the world.

2011: One of TIME's most influential people

From 2004 to 2011, Oprah Winfrey was named one of the most influential people by TIME.

2013: World's most powerful celebrity

In 2013, Forbes named Oprah Winfrey the world's most powerful celebrity.

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. Later that year, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2013: Presidential Medal of Freedom

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

2014: Richest self-made woman in America

As of 2014, Oprah Winfrey had a net worth in excess of 2.9 billion dollars and had overtaken former eBay CEO Meg Whitman as the richest self-made woman in America.

2014: Forbes' list of most powerful women

In 2014, Oprah Winfrey ranked 14th on Forbes' list of the world's 100 most powerful women.

2016: Selection for SuperSoul 100 list

Following the launch of the Super Soul Sunday and SuperSoul Sessions programs on Harpo Productions' SuperSoul TV, in 2016 Oprah Winfrey selected 100 people for the SuperSoul 100 list of "innovators and visionaries who are aligned on a mission to move humanity forward".

2021: Election to 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 arts, sciences, and public life.