Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is an American television host, producer, actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist best known for hosting the nationally syndicated The Oprah Winfrey Show from 1986 to 2011. Her public career also encompasses film, media leadership, philanthropy and advocacy.

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About Oprah Winfrey

Profile information current to 2026-08-22.

United States · Television host, Producer, Actor · 3 affiliations

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Known for: Television broadcasting and syndicated talk programming; Film acting; Media leadership; Philanthropy and public advocacy
Country: United States

Television host
Producer
Actor
Entrepreneur
Philanthropist

At a glance

Winfrey hosted The Oprah Winfrey Show throughout its national syndication from 1986 to 2011.
Her media leadership has included OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Harpo Entertainment and Oprah Daily.
She received an Academy Award nomination for her supporting performance in The Color Purple.
Her public work has included advocacy for the National Child Protection Act of 1993 and the establishment of a leadership academy for girls in South Africa.
Her honors include a personal Peabody Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Background and education

Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She attended Tennessee State University in the mid-1970s, and the university identifies her as an alumna, although its published materials give conflicting years for her degree completion.

Television career and media leadership

The Oprah Winfrey Show entered national syndication in 1986 and concluded in 2011. The Television Academy describes it as the highest-rated television program of its kind in history. Winfrey subsequently continued her media work through organizations and platforms including OWN, Harpo Entertainment and Oprah Daily.

Film work and professional recognition

Alongside her broadcasting career, Winfrey has worked as an actor and producer. Her performance in The Color Purple earned an Academy Award nomination for a supporting role. She received a personal Peabody Award in 1995 and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2011.

Philanthropy and public advocacy

Winfrey's public role has extended to philanthropy and advocacy. The Clinton White House identified her as a vocal proponent of the National Child Protection Act of 1993, and she opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa in 2007. In 2013, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Affiliations

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Chairman and CEO present
Harpo Entertainment Oversees the organization present
Oprah Daily Founder and editorial director present

Timeline

1954-01-29 Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
1986 The Oprah Winfrey Show entered national syndication.
1993-12-20 Participated in the public signing context for the National Child Protection Act after advocating for the legislation.
1995 Received a personal Peabody Award.
2011-01-01 OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network launched.
2011-05-25 The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired.
2011 Received the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
2013-11-20 Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

Additional verified details

Current context

Winfrey is listed as chairman and CEO of OWN, as overseeing Harpo Entertainment, and as founder and editorial director of Oprah Daily. The same biography lists her as host of The Oprah Podcast. This is organization-provided biographical information from Oprah Daily and should be rechecked for title or portfolio changes before publication.

Biographical facts

Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
Winfrey attended Tennessee State University in the mid-1970s, and the university identifies her as an alumna.
The Oprah Winfrey Show was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011. The Television Academy describes it as the highest-rated television program of its kind in history.
Winfrey received an Academy Award nomination for a supporting acting role in The Color Purple.
The Clinton White House identified Winfrey as a vocal proponent of the National Child Protection Act of 1993 and listed her among attendees at its signing ceremony.
Winfrey opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa in 2007.