Oprah Winfrey Facts – #100 Facts

Oprah Winfrey Facts – Biography

Oprah Winfrey: Early Years

1. Oprah Gail Winfrey (Born 1954)

The same year that Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio, the third child to young parents, Vernita Lee and Vernon Winfrey, was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi.

Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954.

She was a bright child and went on to become one of America’s Most Influential People in the 21st Century.

2. Parents of Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey was born in a poor family to young parents (mother aged 18 and a father aged 20, at the time of her birth).

Oprah Winfrey’s mother, Vernita Lee, was a maid when Oprah was born and her father, Vermon Winfrey, a war veteran went on to become a barber.

During her entire childhood, Oprah kept moving houses between both her divorced parents until she landed her first job.

3. Childhood with Grandmother

AfterOprah was born, her mother moved away leaving Oprah in the care of her grandmother.

Up until she was six, Oprah lived with her grandmother who taught her how to read and developed in her an interest to read.

Oprah’s grandmother laid the stepping stones for her excellent public speaking skills.

4. Siblings of Oprah Winfrey

Oprah had two siblings: sister, Patricia Lee and a younger brother, Jeffrey Lee.

Jeffrey was born HIV positive and died of AIDS in 1989.

Her sister, Patricia, was older than Oprah and told the authorities of her teenage pregnancy when Oprah was just 14.

It was reported in 2003, that Patricia was found dead, later revealing that she died of drug overdose.

5. Difficult Childhood of Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey has been very public about her difficult childhood, trying to educate the poorer communities of America.

She said on her show that she was very poor growing up.

Her parents worked hard to make ends meet.

Oprah Winfrey was sexually abused as a child when she was nine years old until she was 13 years old by her cousin and uncle.

After the success of her show, she reportedly put out a $100,000 reward for every one that turns in a declared sex offender.

6. Named Oprah by Mistake

Although she is known to the world as Oprah and often nicknamed “O” and even, Lady O, her real name was never meant to be Oprah.

She was named Orpah after a name in the Bible but the name was misspelled on her birth certificate in 1958 and since then she has been known an Oprah Gail Winfrey raised by teenage parents in Milwaukee.

7. Finding her Half-Sister, a Miracle

However, in 2011, Oprah found out that she had a half-sister also named Patricia.

DNA tests confirmed that she was indeed Oprah’s sister.

Oprah said on her show that Patricia was given up for adoption soon after her birth when Oprah Winfrey was eight years old.

She introduced her sister on national television saying, “This, my friends, is the miracle of miracles.”

Oprah Winfrey Education

8. Jumped Classes Twice in School

Oprah Winfrey’s grandmother taught her to read by the age of three.

By the time she enrolled in kindergarten, she wrote a note to her teacher arguing that she should be in grade 1.

She was soon promoted to Kindergarten.

After a year, she moved to Nashville with her father where she skipped the second grade and moved to grade three.

9. High School

As a young teenager, she was going through a difficult time because of the five-year abuse.

A teacher from Milwaukee, however, took notice of Oprah’s love for books and reading and got her enrolled in an all-white school.

Oprah Winfrey was the only black kid at the Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin back in 1968.

She says that she was widely popular among the kids because she was black.

Difficult Teenage Years of Oprah Winfrey

10. Suicide Attempt in 1981

Oprah Winfrey was a teenage mother and she had difficulty accepting it.

She told Piers Morgan in an interview in 2006 that she tried to drink detergent to take her own life.

When Oprah was only fourteen years old, she gave birth to her only child who was born premature and died within the two weeks of his birth.

Since then, Oprah Winfrey has never been married and did not have any more children.

11. Sent to Juvenile Detention Center

It was while Oprah was living with her mother in Milwaukee that she became pregnant.

As a depressed kid with suicide on her mind, Oprah Winfrey was having a difficult time staying at home with an uncaring mother, so she ran away several times.

She was then given an ultimatum to live with either parent or else she would be sent to the Juvenile Detention Center.

Some argue that there was no more space at the local center or she was afraid of the detention center.

However, she chose to live with her father in Nashville.

12. Keeps a Personal Journal since 15 years old

Oprah Winfrey started keeping a journal when she was just fifteen years old and continues to write to date.

She considers it a way to revive herself and her life, to analyze how far she has come.

From abject poverty and abusive childhood, to one of the world’s greatest philanthropists, Oprah Winfrey has indeed come a long way.

A Turning Point

13. Miss Black Tennessee 1971

If you Google the Miss Black Tennessee pageant, the first result will be a rare video of a young and skinny Oprah Winfrey lip syncing to a song.

The 17 year old goes on to win the 1971 Miss Black Tennessee title initiating her fame.

This was a break from a depressing childhood and a turnaround for the long haired, young Oprah.

From there on, life only went up for Oprah Gail Winfrey.

14. First Journalism Opportunity at the Age of 19

Soon after winning the pageant, Oprah Winfrey was chosen to attend the White House Conference for Youth for which she was interviewed by WVOL radio station.

They offered her a job because of her excellent communication skills and on-voice personality.

When she finished high school, while working with the radio station, she was offered a four-year scholarship at Tennessee University.

15. BA degree from Tennessee University

With the four-year scholarship, Oprah Winfrey went on to receive a Bachelors of Art in Speech Communication and Theory from the Tennessee State University, which is popularly known as a black college.

Notable personalities who have also graduated from Tennessee State University include Harvey Johnson, Edith McGuire, Joe Gilliam and Ralph Boston.

16. Hired by WJZ-TV

Oprah Winfrey became the first African-American woman to be hired on a TV station in Nashville, the entertainment capital.

She was 22 years old when she co-anchored on the 6 pm news.

As a starting artist, she had a few flaws on television, which WJZ-TV noted and later fired her for frequently mispronouncing words.

Oprah says that she was “devastated”.

A little later, the WJZ searched for other talents in her and let her host her very own talk show called “People Are Talking”.

Success of Her Show: The Oprah Winfrey Show

17. “The Oprah Winfrey Show”

From a gossip show that became popular in Chicago overnight, it went on to be the most popular show in America with $6.5 million viewers every week by 2008.

“The Oprah Winfrey Show” ran for 27 years and was the highest rated program in television history.

“The Oprah Winfrey Show” aired 25 seasons with 4561 showsin total and never missed a work day.

She talked about world ethics, responsibilities as a human being, music, popular culture and shared life-changing stories.

The show ended on May 25, 2011.

18. The Show Aired in 149 Countries

Oprah’s humanitarian efforts and her determination to talk about life issues that are generally hidden made her immensely popular over America and then, beyond.

The show aired in 149 countries by distributions through multiple channels including Italy, Australia, England, the Arab World and Iran.

It continues to be aired in some and has been dubbed in multiple languages.

19. Two Hundred Men Gather to Speak Out

On a 2010 episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, two hundred men gathered and raised their childhood photos to talk about child abuse.

It is because of the impact that Oprah has on people and her public efforts to eradicate difficult childhoods from America, that she is widely popular in the country.

20. Paid $130 million to Continue Show 1999-2000

On an agreement with King World, Oprah Winfrey announced to distribute her show through the 1999-2000 seasons making her a very big shareholder with King World.

The deal was set on a whopping $130 million for renewing “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and in agreements with multiple television stations to broadcast the show.

By 2006, Oprah Winfrey became the highest paid television show host in history.

This agreement won her the George Polk Award.

21. Oprah’s Book Club

On her show “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, she shared her love for books with America with Oprah’s Book Club.

The book club has reviewed exactly 65 books in total.

Oprah Winfrey’s favorite book remains “To Kill a Mocking Bird” by Harper Lee.

Every book that was reviewed by Oprah Winfrey became an immediate best seller.

Her reviews contributed to a 30 million increase book sales for which she received no compensation.

22. Flash Mob Dance at Kick-Off Party of Second Last Season

If you live in America, you must have come across the 2009 flash mob dance at the Oprah Winfrey Show kick-off party.

It is one of the most widely watched videos on YouTube where twenty one thousand people danced at a Michigan Avenue taping of the show.

The audience prepared for the dance that very day and with the Black Eyed Peas playing their song “I Gotta Feeling” live.

It remains to be one of the biggest flash mob dance in America.

23. Tom Cruise’s Sofa Jump on Oprah’s Show

If you are a Tom Cruise fan, you will remember his bizarre sofa jump on the Oprah Winfrey show.

The actor was talking about his romance with Katie Holmes when he got a little over zealous.

He began jumping up and down on the sofa and punching his fists in the air declaring that he was in love.

It instantly became one of the most memorable moments on Oprah’s show.

24. “You Get a Car, You Get a Car!”

Season 19thpremiere, everyone gets a car.

Have you ever watched Kathy Griffin do an Oprah Winfrey impression? She says in a heavy voice pointing at the audience, “You get a car! You get a car! You get a car! Everyone gets a caaarrrr!” At the Season 19th premiere of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Winfrey gave away a car valued at $28,500 to every member of the audience.

25. A Trip to Australia for 300 Fans

For her final show, Oprah Winfrey gathered all her diehard fans for a televised party.

The audiences of 300 dedicated fans were given an all-expense paid trip to Australia.

The trips were sponsored by the Australian Tourism bodies, as part of an endorsement deal.

Oprah Winfrey Empire

26. Talk Show Host, Philanthropist and Actress

Today, she is popularly known as the talk show host of The Oprah Winfrey Show and an avid philanthropist.

She owns her own cable TV channel titled the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) and, her production studio called the Harpo Studios and is one of the World’s Most Influential People.

27. O Magazine

In 1999, Oprah Winfrey started her magazine called the O magazine with Hearst Cooperation.

It featured Oprah favorite things, her adventures and cameos with celebrities on the cover.

The first issue of the magazine was published in the year 2000 and it continues to publish every month.

In 2010, the digital version of the magazine was also released.

28. Oxygen Network

In 1998, Oprah Winfrey collaborated with Geraldine Laybourne, Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner and Caryn Mandabach to form the company Oxygen Media whose first launch was the Oxygen Network in the year 2000.

The company has headquarters in New York and used to air “Oprah After the Show” where the host Winfrey talked with the audience after “The Oprah Winfrey Show” had finished its air time.

The network is owned by NBC Universal.

29. Oprah Winfrey Network

There are two versions of this channel.

The American Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) started in 2011, which is produced by Harpo Productions and Discovery Communications.

When Oprah Winfrey announced that her “The Oprah Winfrey Show” would be ending, many fans were left shocked and devastated.

30. President of Harpo Productions

Harpo is Oprah spelled backwards. Oprah Winfrey started this production house and studio in 1986.

All episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show were produced by Harpo Productions and continues to produce shows for Oprah’s channel OWN.

They also produce the popular Dr. Phil show and Dr. Oz show since 2002 and 2009, respectively.

Accolades Oprah Winfrey

31. 47 Daytime Emmys for the Oprah Winfrey Show

For a show that ran from 1986 to 2011, it not only remains to be the longest running show in history, it has also won multiple awards and nominations.

“The Oprah Winfrey Show” and the host herself have won a collective 47 Daytime Emmy Awards until the year 2000.

After which, Oprah Winfrey stopped submitting the show altogether for consideration.

The first few Emmys came in 1988, 1989 ad 1990.

From there on, Oprah kept on winning the best television host and the best television show.

32. Oscar Nominated Acting Debut

In 1982, Alice Walker wrote the thrilling novel The Color Purple.

In 1985, it was converted to a film by Steven Spielberg who starred the then young Oprah Winfrey along with Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover.

That year, Oprah Winfrey was nominated as the Best Supporting Actress for the Academy Awards.

She was also named one of twelve promising actors of 1985.

33. 2007 Humanitarian Award

Oprah Winfrey has received the 2007 Humanitarian Award from the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity.

The foundation is named after the American writer, politician and Noble Peace Prize winner, Eliezer Weisel and it was established by his wife.

It honors those who have had a significant impact with their humanitarian efforts.

34. Life Time Achievement Award (Daytime Emmys)

In 1998, Oprah Gail Winfrey was honored with the Life Time Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys for her work and humanitarian efforts for the public.

Barbra Walters presented her with the award and added to her many Emmy awards including those for the best talk show host.

Since then she has earned the nickname “Queen of Daytime Emmys”.

35. Number 1 on Forbes TV/Radio List and Money

For many years, Oprah Winfrey came in at #1 on the Forbes 100 Celebrity List with 40 million viewers every week.

Currently, she is on number 2 on the 100 Celebrity lists of the Most Powerful Celebrities in the world losing to Jennifer Lopez.

She also tops the list of highest paid celebrities and TV Radio list beating Donald Trump and Lady Gaga.

36. Honorary National Book Award

In 1999, Oprah Winfrey also received the Honoree National Book Award, which is given to only one person every year.

Specifically, Oprah Winfrey was given the lifetime achievement award of Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Along with the medal, she also won $10,000 prize money.

37. Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

In 2011, Oprah Winfrey was honored by the Academy for her humanitarian efforts.

She was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which is an honorary Governor’s Award.

Receiving the award, she said, “I never imagined myself receiving an Oscar, certainly not for doing what I believe is a part of my calling, is a part of my being.”

38. National Women’s Hall of Fame

The National Women’s Hall of Fame based in New York honors women who have contributed to the arts, sciences, athletics, education, philanthropy and humanity among others.

In September 1994, Oprah Winfrey was inducted for her contributions to art, business and philanthropy in Seneca, New York.

She told the Victoria Advocate that she was “honored to be inducted . . . with such a distinguished group.”

39. 2010 Kennedy Center Honors

In the year 2010, only five people received the Kennedy Center Honor and Oprah Winfrey was one of them.

She was honored alongside Paul McCartney of The Beatles group and choreographer Bill T. Jones.

The establishment offers honor to performing artists every year and is one of the most prestigious awards in the entertainment industry.

Social Work Oprah Winfrey

40. The Angel Network

In 2000, Oprah founded the non-profit charity the Angel Network.

It largely supported her humanitarian efforts and followed the tag line or goal to “inspire people and make a difference in the lives of others.”

Not only did the Angel Network benefit individuals, it also supported organizations close to Oprah Winfrey’s heart, like UNICEF, Boys and Girls Club of America and Habitat for Humanity.

41. Oprah’s Largest Donation to Charity

In 2011, for the final episode of the Angel Network, Oprah Winfrey donated $6 million in grants to U.S. charter school programs.

The organization, in its eleven years, raised donations worth $80 million for multiple charities around the world.

42. Strong Believer in Education

Oprah Winfrey has been widely quoted talking about education, saying, “Education is the way to move mountains, to build bridges, to change the world”.

She has donated millions to build schools and promote education through her charity organizations.

She founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa in January of 2007.

43. Message for Girls Education

In a message for the girls of South Africa, under the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, Oprah Winfrey says on the organization’s website, “Every child has a right to an education.”

For this project, Oprah Winfrey donated $60 million from her personal account.

Oprah Winfrey also produced the movie “The Great Debaters” as part of her educational support.

44. Built 300 Homes for Hurricane Affected

As part of her humanitarian work, Oprah Winfrey reportedly spent $15.6 million through her non-profit charity organization, The Angel Network, to build homes for people displaced by the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

The rehabilitation was mainly focused in the states of Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and her home state Mississippi, where collectively she built 300 homes and restored many more, in over two years.

45. Nod from Nelson Mandela

If you make a list of the Oprah Winfrey’s best interviews, you will find the Nelson Mandela interview on the top five.

When Oprah Winfrey opened her school in South Africa, she said that it was in return for a promise she had made to the former South African President.

The Nelson Mandela interview benefitted her in many ways and the former President has acknowledged Oprah’s efforts on many occasions.

Oprah Winfrey Politics

46. Oprah’s Endorsement of Barack Obama

From 2005, Oprah Winfrey popularly endorsed the future President Barack Obama.

With 9 million viewers on her television show every day, some believe that she won President Obama the 2008 presidential elections contributing at least a million votes.

47. Oprah Bill

In 1993, Oprah Winfrey called for protection of children against child predators.

As a victim of the crime when she was a child, she took to the Senate to respond and care for the children of America.

She succeeded and President Bill Clinton signed “The National Child Protection Act”, which is also known as the Oprah Bill.

Under the Act, a national database is established of the convicted child abusers and punishment is granted to such offenders.

48. Proud LGBT Supporter

For 25 years, Oprah Winfrey discussed the issue on her show.

She is a loud supporter of LGBT rights and calls it a global rights revolution.

As a Christian believer herself, Oprah Winfrey asked the public that it is a very Christian behavior to be understanding and supportive.

Other Accomplishments of Oprah Winfrey

49. One of Forbes’ Most Influential People in the World

Oprah Winfrey’s reach out to over 6 million people every day for 27 years has earned her a position on the World’s Most Influential People.

In 2012, she came in at number 11 for the most Powerful Women in the World list at Forbes Magazine as well as the number 1 personality on Television or Radio.

People will wear, do, read and listen to whatever Oprah Winfrey will recommend.

50. Professor at Northwestern University

In 1999, Oprah Winfrey taught a course titled, “Dynamics of Leadership” at the Northwestern University’s J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

She told The South Missourian that year that it had always been her “dream to teach” emphasizing the importance of the dynamics of leadership in America.

51. First African-American Woman to Become a Billionaire

Since the debut of The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1986, Winfrey has earned herself a fortune of $2.8 billion, according to Forbes Magazine.

She used to earn a yearly salary of $315 million dollars until 2011 for The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Since then, she has started her cable TV channel OWN, Harpo Studios, Harpo Productions, which serve as her main sources of wealth.

In 2003, she became the first African-American woman to become a billionaire.

She is currently on number 168 on Forbes’ American Billionaires list.

52. 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons

In the 2003 documentary, VH1 listed the 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons of all time.

Oprah Winfrey was on the list along with Steven Spielberg, Bill Clinton, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Princess Diana.

Among the criteria to make the list, were simple rules such as “Can people recognize the celebrity with a single name?” and “Has SNL made a sketch on the celebrity?”

53. Forbes Most Influential Celebrity of 2013

It has been two years since her television program, “the Oprah Winfrey Show” ended and yet, she remains to be the most influential celebrity.

This title was voted by the readers of Forbes Magazine, with a whopping 48 percent votes to her name.

This proves that Oprah has successfully maintained her charm even after the show ended.

54. First African-American Woman on Vogue

In 1998, Oprah Winfrey lost 20 pounds to be on the October issue of Vogue magazine and with that, she became the first African-American woman to make it to the popular magazine cover.

According to Vogue, this October issue sold approximately 6 million copies.

55. Film Career

After receiving her Oscar nomination with her acting debut, Oprah Winfrey went on to do eighteen more movies including voice-overs for animated movies, television movies, television series and cameos as herself on several TV shows.

She is popularly remembered by the young generation from Charlotte’s Web and The Bee Movie.

56. Honorary Doctorate from Princeton University

As her first honorary doctorate degree, she was awarded by the Princeton University in 2002 for her contributions to art and humanities.

She was awarded the title Doctor of Fine Arts.

In a statement released by the Ivy League university, they said that Oprah Winfrey’s goals in “life and work represent(s) the University’s highest aspirations of education, opportunity and service.”

57. Honorary Doctorate from Duke University, South Africa

In 2009, Oprah Winfrey officially became Dr. Oprah Winfrey a second time by receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree from Duke University in South Africa.

Her godson was also among the four thousand and four hundred graduates.

She was presented the degree by the Duke University President, Richard H. Brodhead.

58. Co-wrote Five Books

Oprah Winfrey has co-written five books including a cookbook, In the Kitchen with Rosie.

Her other four works include, the 1996 A Journal of Daily Renewal: The Comparison to Make the Connection with Bob Greene, the 1997 The Uncommon Wisdom of Oprah Winfrey: A Portrait of her Own Words with Bill Andler and the 1998 Journey to Beloved with Ken Regan.

59. XM Satellite Radio

Also known as the Oprah Radio, SirusXM Satellite Radio was launched in 2009 by Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios.

According to Oprah.com, the purpose of the 24/7 radio channel has been to inspire people to live better lives.

Experts sit and discuss the common life issues such as overcoming fears and learning from other’s mistakes.

60. Sara Ferguson Interview

The interview with the Duchess of York is one of the most memorable interviews by Oprah Winfrey.

A true example of Oprahfication, Sara Ferguson admitted to accepting bribery from a reporter in exchange for any information on her ex-husband, the Duke of York.

61. Bought Her Father’s Barber Shop

In 2012, Vernon Winfrey’s Nashville based barber shop was going into foreclosure and was put up for auctions.

Oprah Winfrey bought her father’s 50 year old Barber Shop for $475,000 at the auction.

Reportedly, Oprah encourages her seventy-eight year old father to retire from the hair cutting business.

Oprah Winfrey Assets

62. Lives in a $50 Million Mansion

Being one of the most powerful billionaires in the world Oprah Winfrey lives on the forty-two acre Montecito estate titled the “The Promise Land”.

Oprah Winfrey’s California mansion is worth over $50 million and she often tweets pictures of herself going about her business around the house.

When she is not working in Chicago, she comes back to her mansion to relax with her dogs.

63. Canadian House Worth $13 million US Dollars

Not only is her Oprah Winfrey Network expanded along the Canadian border since March 2011, Oprah Winfrey also owns a luxury home in Canada.

The house is estimated to be worth a whopping thirteen million dollars where she lives to spend time with her friends and her pet dogs.

Personal Interests: Oprah Winfrey

64. Oprah’s Love for Books

Oprah Winfrey says that books helped her get through the toughest times of her life.

Talking about reading as a child, Oprah once said, “I knew that there was a way out.

I knew there was another kind of life for me because I had read about it.

I knew there were other places and there was another way of being.”

65. Oprah Winfrey Loves to Cook

The popular woman has many friends in Chicago and California and enjoys cooking them delicious meals.

She recently tweeted a picture of herself making Thanksgiving dinner.

Oprah’s favorite snack is a baked potato and she says she is a happy person as long as she can find someone to share with the baked potato.

Oprah Winfrey used to feature cooking segments on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”.

66. Personal Idol Dianna Ross

Like millions of people around the world, Oprah Winfrey adores the great singer Dianna Ross.

The singer let Oprah interview her in 1993 talking about her life, career, family and her tensions with former group The Supremes.

During the interview Oprah was teary-eyed listening to her life story saying she has always admired the star.

In the 2011 interview, Dianna Ross brought along and introduced all her five children.

Life Lessons by Oprah Winfrey

67. Oprah’s Biggest Mistake

Oprah Winfrey publicly announced on her show ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ that her biggest mistake was going on a liquid protein diet in 1988.

Oprah reportedly lost 30 kilograms or 67 pounds in just 4 months, which made her fit into size 10 denim jeans.

After the weight loss, Oprah walked in to her show with a trolley full of fat representing the amount she had lost.

At the after party, however, she went back to eating “real food” and gained back enough weight in the next two days that she never fit into the size 10 jeans again.

Since then, Oprah has said many times, “Don’t ever starve yourself (to lose weight).”

68. Oprah’s Fears

Celebrities have many surprising fears.

While Cher has strong stage fright, you would not believe what scares Oprah Winfrey.

It is chewing gum.

You will never see the 59-year-old actor and TV personality chew a gum.

She has also revealed on her TV show that she is afraid of heights despite the fact that she often flies off to undisclosed places on her private jet.

69. Affair With a Married Man

Oprah Winfrey has openly talked about her horrid experience dating a married man who did not intend to leave his wife in the seventies.

She says that it taught her a great lesson and that it was a struggle to end the relationship.

She encouraged other women to talk about their experiences to help others prevent such mistakes.

70. Cattle Lawsuit

In February of 1998, Oprah Winfrey told the press “Freedom of speech not only lives, it rocks” after a million dollar lawsuit was denied by the jurors of Texas court.

The Amarillo Texas cattlemen had sued Oprah Winfrey, among others, for $11 million over a few remarks she has made on her popular television show in 1996 about the mad cow disease.

Personal Life of Oprah Winfrey

71. Oprah’s Dogs to Inherit Fortune

Oprah has had many pet dogs over the years.

One of them died in a choking accident a few years ago.

Oprah’s pets are very dear to her and she enjoys spending her free time with them.

Of her $2.8 billion fortune, Oprah’s dogs will inherit $30 million.

72. Reveals Portions of Personal Diary in 2010

Oprah Winfrey says that in her twenties, she mostly wrote about boys and regular problems of a young girl.

Sometimes, she would scribble her attempts at poetry.

When she was 40 years old, she says she started to become wiser.

Revealing portions of her personal diary on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” she said, “I started using journals to express my gratitude – and watched my blessings multiply.”

73. Relationship with Stedman Graham

Oprah Gail Winfrey has been in a relationship with the business person and educator Stedman Graham since 1986, who has been divorced once and has a child with a former wife.

The pair has been cohabiting in Oprah Winfrey’s $50 million estate in California.

He has also been on the cover of Oprah’s O Magazine.

He accompanies her to award shows and public events.

74. Rivalry with David Letterman

In 1989, David Letterman’s girlfriend got out of paying a restaurant bill saying Oprah Winfrey would pay it and with that started the Oprah-Letterman feud.

The feud ended 16 years later when Oprah Winfrey gave Letterman an interview on his show.

In 2013 on Oprah’s OWN, David Letterman opened up to Winfrey talking about his relationships and scandals.

75. Best Friend Gayle King

Oprah and Gayle King have been best friends since Oprah was in her twenties.

Oprah not only shares her middle name with her best friend, but is also the God Mother of Gayle’s son William.

Gayle has remained a frequent participant on the Oprah Winfrey Show and has remained an editor on Oprah’s magazine.

76. Oprah on Her Friendship with Gayle

Talking about her best friend Gayle King, Oprah Winfrey was teary eyed when she said, “She is the mother I never had, she is the sister everybody would want.

She is the friend that everybody deserves.

I don’t know a better person.”

77. Friends in Bollywood and Beyond

Oprah Winfrey has made fans and friends across the American borders.

She is friends with the Jordanian Queen Rania, frequently appreciating her for her liberal views.

She has also had Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachan on her show whilst wearing a sari.

She has visited India several times as part of her private tour.

Oprah Winfrey Inspirational

78. Oprah on Fighting Stress

On fighting personal stress, Oprah said on her show, “Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you.

When it’s right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.”

79. Oprah Believes in Giving Back

At the 2009 Commencement Address in South Africa’s Duke University, Oprah Winfrey said, “If you can find a way to give back … you will be a huge success.

Because for sure, one of the things I’ve learned is that the best way to enhance your own life is to contribute to somebody else’s.”

80. On Finding the Spiritual Peace

Oprah Winfrey has talked about finding a spiritual ground in order to be happy in life, she says “It isn’t until you come to a spiritual understanding of who you are – not necessarily a religious feeling, but deep down, the spirit within – that you can begin to take control.”

81. On Believing In Oneself

On promoting self-believe, Oprah said, “When the odds are against you and you have the depth of clarity to listen to your own instincts and follow what is true for you, you may not become a Jay-Z, but you will become the best thing that you can be.”

82. Oprah’s Inspirational Speech at the Emmys

When receiving the Life Time Achievement Award at the Emmys, Oprah Winfrey recited a prayer that she says came true.

She said, “You know, when I – from the beginning, from the beginning, being a colored, a Negro, a black, an African-American child, growing up in Mississippi, my prayer was, for as long as I can remember, “God use me, use me, use this life.

I don’t know what the future holds for me but I know that there is a vision for my life that is greater than my imagination can hold.”

83. America’s Top 50 Most Generous Philanthropists

Adding to her list of firsts, Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman to find a place on the list of America’s Top 50 Most Generous Philanthropists in 2004 for her work in America, Canada and South Africa.

She stayed on the list for the next six years adding to her list of achievements.

84. Oprah on Finding One’s True Calling

Talking about each individual’s destiny, Opra Winfrey has said, “I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.”

85. Commencement Speech at Duke University

Not only did she receive the degree from Duke University, she also gave the commencement address to the 4400 graduates gathered in the audience.

In her loud and immaculate pronunciation, she asked everyone to ask herself, “How can I help somebody else move to higher ground? That is success.

That’s it.

That’s why we’re all alive.”

86. On Her Love for Books

Oprah Winfrey has been an avid reader since her grandmother taught her to read at the age of three.

Apart from talking about books, on her on-air book club, Oprah promotes great movies in her magazine as well.

Her Harpo Studios have converted several good books to movies.

She was quoted saying, “Some women have a weakness for shoes… I can go barefoot if necessary.

I have a weakness for books.”

87. President Obama on Oprah’s Achievements

President Obama has been on Oprah’s show along with his wife in 2004.

Appreciating her humanitarian efforts and her close relations with the public, President Obama has said that he considered offering Oprah a seat in the Senate for her great contributions during the campaign.

88. Barack Obama Quote

Talking to Oprah in 2004, the future President Barack Obama said, “Fear—at least for me and a lot of young African-Americans.

There’s a sense in which we feel that the only way to assert strength is to push away from a society that says we’re not as good.

It’s like: Instead of trying to compete, I’m going to have my own thing, and my own thing may be the streets or rap music.”

89. Oprah on Micheal Jackson

Sixteen years after Oprah had interviewed the King of Pop, she reflected back on what she thought after the interview was over at Michael Jackson’s house.

She says that Jackson was very likeable and that after the interview she felt like she could be his friend because she thought, “he was very honest.”

90. Oprah On Facing Fears

Oprah Winfrey has often talked about facing our inner fears to overcome difficulties, she says, “It is confidence in our bodies, minds and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures, new directions to grow in, and new lessons to learn – which is what life is all about.”

Oprah Winfrey

91. Upcoming 2013 Movie “The Butler”

With more time to spare, Oprah Winfrey can focus again on her acting career.

She is set to star in a new upcoming Lee Daniels movie “The Butler” where she will play the role of Gloria Gaines.

The film revolves around Eugene Allen, who was real life butler to the United States Presidents until 1986.

92. Anti-Aging Skin Cream Controversy

Recently, in 2013, Oprah Winfrey was heavily criticized by the anti-circumcision human rights group in Canada for her endorsement of an anti-aging cream.

This issue occurred while Oprah Winfrey has been on a tour through Canada promoting her network OWN.

93. Lance Armstrong Interview and OWN Ratings

OWN ratings shot up and earned Oprah a new set of viewers after the popular 2013 Lance Armstrong interview.

The Olympian confessed to Oprah his drug use for strength enhancement, losing a fortune and then telling his son of the biggest mistake he had made.

Some say that the interview won Lance Armstrong many sympathizers.

Influence of Oprah Winfrey

94. The Oprah Effect

The Oprah Effect is what created the fame for Dr. Mehmat Oz, Dr. Phil and Rachel Ray.

Each of these talented people were picked and supported by Oprah Winfrey.

They did segments on Oprah’s show discussing health, psychological issues and food.

Oprah’s endorsements for them helped them get their own personal shows on television.

95. “Oprahfication”

Collins English Dictionary describes the word Oprahfication as an informal noun that means “the perceived increase in people’s desire to discuss their emotions or personal problems, attributed to the influence of confessional television programs.”

The term originated from the Wall Street Journal due to Oprah’s open discussions on improving life goals and understanding mistakes.

96. Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People

In 2011, Oprah Winfrey set another record by appearingon Time Magazine’ severy list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

She appeared on the 1997 cover of Time Magazine as a Television Pioneer.

However, in 2012, she was not included on the list by Time Magazine.

97. Forbes $126 billion Cover

In 2012, Forbes magazine listed the world’s richest philanthropists who have shared their personal wealth to ease world problems.

Oprah Winfrey was one of the three women on the cover along with Bon Jovi and Bill Gates.

The twelve people on the cover had a collective wealth of over $126 billion.

98. Oprah’s Hair

Many have scrutinized Oprah Winfrey’s hair, while others have praised them.

For her first television job at WLAC, Oprah was inspired by Tina Turner and wore her hair a little spazzy.

In contrast to her 1970s photo from Nashville, Oprah Winfrey wears her hair in thick and shiny curls for her Chicago television ventures.

99. Television’s Most Watched Interview

Oprah Winfrey interviewed the King of Pop in 1993 after he had refused to give an interview for 14 years.

Soon, it became the most watched interview in Television history.

The live interview was watched by an estimated 90 million people in America.

100. What Does Oprah Thinks of Her Success?

Oprah Winfrey believes she has come a long way in life and that her struggles have only made her stronger.

Talking about her success, she once said, “I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.”