Oprah Winfrey (born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954) is an American television host, actress, producer, and philanthropist, best known for her self-titled, multi-award winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history.[1] She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century,[2] the greatest black philanthropist in American history,[3][4] and was once the world's only black billionaire.[5][6] She is also, according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the world
Created by StevePro on May 11, 2011
Last updated: 06/10/11 at 10:59 AM
The Oprah Winfrey Show will air it's final original episode, bringing an end to one of the most prolific talk show hosts of all time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oprah_Winfrey_Show
Michael Jackson's children appear on the show in a pre-taped interview.
Winfrey says Jonathan Franzen's new book "Freedom" is her latest book club pick. The pick comes nine years after she chose Franzen's "The Corrections" and then canceled his appearance on her show after he expressed ambivalence over her endorsement.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/sep/16/oprah-winfrey-jonathan-franzen-freedom
The Oprah Winfrey Network announces "Oprah's Next Chapter," an hour-long nighttime show featuring conversations and travel around the world, will premiere after her daytime show concludes its run in 2011.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/08/oprahs-next-chapter-oprah_n_529861.html
Talk of love, loss, celebrity, power and new beginnings have been staples of Oprah Winfrey’s television show since it launched in 1986. On Friday, they came together as the 55-year-old former actress announced that she was ending her syndicated programme.
In a live broadcast from Chicago, a tearful Ms Winfrey said she had decided “after much prayer and months of careful thought” that the Oprah Winfrey Show would finish when her contract with CBS runs out in 2011.
http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/23/oprah-announces-end-of-oprah-winfrey-show-video/
Claireece Precious Jones endures unimaginable hardships in her young life. Abused by her mother, raped by her father, she grows up poor, angry, illiterate, fat, unloved and generally unnoticed. So what better way to learn about her than through her own, halting dialect.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0929632/
In making her pitch for Chicago to land the 2016 Olympic Games, First Lady Michelle Obama touted a distinctly Chicago cultural asset: Oprah Winfrey. “I said every single city who’s bidding wishes they had Oprah on their team, and we have her, and we are grateful that she is a part of this endeavor,” Obama said at welcome reception hosted by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley in Copenhagen today.
A fairy tale set in Jazz Age-era New Orleans and centered on a young girl named Tiana and her fateful kiss with a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780521/
Rod Blagojevic tells ABC that he considered Oprah as a replacement for Barak Obama's vacated seat.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/US/story?id=6730220&page=1
"Believe in the Stars" is the second episode of the third season of 30 Rock, and the thirty-eighth episode overall. It was written by Robert Carlock and was directed by Don Scardino.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Believe_in_the_Stars
Oprah's Big Give, produced by Harpo Productions, millions of dollars are given to improve many people's life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah%27s_Big_Give
On October 16, 2007, Winfrey revealed that she was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder that made her gain 20 pounds. "At the end of May, I was so exhausted I couldn't figure out what was going on in my life. I ended up going to Africa and spent a month with my beautiful daughters there, was still feeling really tired, really tired, going around from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what was wrong and finally figured out that I had literally sort of blew out my thyroid " Winfrey said on her show. She also discusses more about her story in the October 2007 issue of the Oprah Magazine. In 2008 Winfrey decided to become a vegan for three weeks.
http://timelines.com/2007/10/16/oprah-winfrey-reveals-that-she-has-a-thyroid-disorder
Harpo Films and The Weinstein Company announce the movie The Great Debaters, with Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker.
Another placement on Time magazine's annual list. This was Oprah's fourth time on this list, five counting her spot on the 20th Century's most influential people.
Oprah Winfrey Honored by the Elie Wiesel Foundation with Humanitarian Award
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation helps to create the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
http://owla.co.za/
Forbes' international rich list has listed Winfrey as the world's only black billionaire
Named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people of the year
Appeared in the TV program Drake & Josh in the episode Josh Meets Oprah
Appeared in Drake & Josh - Josh Meets Oprah
Starred in the movie Charlotte's Web playing Gussy
Oprah currently lives on "The Promised Land", her 42 acre estate in Montecito, California and also owns a house in Lavallette, New Jersey.
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Signed 3-year contract with XM Satellite Radio to establish a new radio channel based in Chicago
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
The Color Purple was made into a Broadway musical of which she was a producer
Forbes' international rich list has listed Winfrey as the world's only black billionaire
Became the first black listed by Business Week as one of America's top 50 most generous philanthropists
Oprah's Christmas Kindness was made to draw bring attention to the plight of young African children affected by poverty and AIDS.
Named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people of the year
Named as the greatest woman in American history as part of a public poll as part of The Greatest American in which she ranked in 9th place in the list of greatest Americans.
She was the narrator in the documentary Emmanuel's Gift
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Concert was hosted by Oprah and Tom Cruise
Forbes' international rich list has listed Winfrey as the world's only black billionaire
Named by Time as one of the 100 people who most influenced the 20th century
She was the narrator in the documentary Brothers of the Borderland
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
She was the narrator in the documentary Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
In 2002 Fortune called O, the Oprah Magazine the most successful start-up ever in the industry.
Became the recipient of the first Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 2002 Emmy Awards for services to television and film.
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Co-author of the book Make the Connection : Ten Steps to a Better Body and a Better Life, by Bob Greene and Oprah Winfrey
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmy Awards and an award for top talk show host.
Formed Oxygen Media
Starred in the movie of the Toni Morrison novel, Beloved
Co-author of the book Journey to Beloved, by Oprah Winfrey and Ken Regan
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Successfully defended herself in the food disparagement lawsuit brought by Texas cattlemen following the show about Mad Cow Disease
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Formation of Oprah’s Angel Network encouraging people to make charitable contributions and volunteer work.
Delivered the commencements address to the Wellesley College Class of 1997
Appeared in the TV program Ellen - The Puppy Episode
Appeared in the TV program Before Women Had Wings role as Miss Zora (she was also producer)
Author of the book The Uncommon Wisdom of Oprah Winfrey : A Portrait in Her Own Words by Bill Adler (editor) and Oprah Winfrey
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Oprah announced the start of her successful on-air book club
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Became co-author of the book A Journal of Daily Renewal : The Companion to Make the Connection, by Bob Greene and Oprah Winfrey
Received the prestigious George Foster Peabody’s Individual Achievement Award
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
The OW Show dealt with Mad Cow Disease in the United States which led to a court case
http://www.studentweb.law.ttu.edu/cochran/Cases%20&%20Readings/Business%20Torts/oprah.htm
Became the first woman and the only black on Forbes list of 400 richest Americans. She has remained the only black person to rank among America's 400 richest people nearly every year since 1995
Won an Emmy for Best Talk Show and Best Host for the second year in a row.
“Oprah Online” started on American Online (AOL) in partnership with ABC
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Won Best Talk Show and Best Talk Show Host at the 21st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Became co-author of the book In The Kitchen With Rosie: Oprah's Favorite Recipes by Rosie Daley and Oprah Winfrey
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Hosted an interview with Michael Jackson which reached an audience of one hundred million.
President Bill Clinton signed the National Child Protection Act which had been strongly supported by Oprah.
Appeared in the TV program There Are No Children Here role as LaJoe Rivers
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Won Best Talk Show Host at the Daytime Emmy Awards
1992 Appeared in the TV program The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Episode, A Night at the Oprah
Worked on Lincoln as narrator of the TV documentary
Became engaged to Stedman Graham, a public relations executive
Appointed Bob Greene to supervise her exercise program
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Initiated the National Child Protection Act and testified before Congress
Appointed chef Rosie Daley to supervise a new and healthier diet.
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Appeared in the TV program Brewster Place as Mattie Michael
Starred in the movie Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones (documentary)
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Starred as Mattie Michael in the movie The Women of Brewster Place (she was also executive producer)
Received the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Entertainer of the year award and went on to receive their Image Award 4 times from 1989 to 1992
Her half brother, Jeffrey Lee, sadly died of AIDS.
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Named Broadcaster of the Year by the International Television and Radio Society
Harpo Productions which obtained ownership and production responsibilities for her show from ABC-TV station, WLS in Chicago
Bought her Chicago apartment and her farm in Indiana.
Appeared in the TV program Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special as herself
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Her much acclaimed episode from her show was aired from Forsyth County, Georgia, where no blacks had been allowed to live since 1912.
Oprah won her first Emmy for best talk/service show host and best show.
Cameo role in the Danny DeVito movie Throw Momma from the Train
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Her show expands to one hour and broadcast nationally. It was nominated for several Emmy awards
Formed her own television production company called Harpo Productions
Received the National Organization for Women's Women of Achievement Award.
Starred in the movie 'Native Son' as Janet Thomason
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 'The Color Purple' but lost to Anjelica Huston
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Starred in the Steven Spielberg movie 'The Color Purple' as the character Sofia
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
January 2: First episode of A.M. Chicago. Show was extremely successful in the ratings
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Moved to Chicago, Illinois in late 1983 in preparation to host the talk show A.M. Chicago for WLS-TV
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Was moved from news anchor to the WJZ-TV morning talk show host of People are Talking with Richard Sher
Also hosted the local version of 'Dialing for Dollars'
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Moved to Baltimore to host the 6 o’clock news with WJZ-TV where she met her best friend Gayle King who was a production assistant at WJZ-TV
April 1: Was moved from news anchor to the WJZ-TV morning talk show host of People are Talking
Also became a reporter for an ABC news affiliate in Baltimore, Maryland.
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
She graduated from Tennessee State University with a Degree in Speech and Performing Arts. Became the first black TV news anchor reporter with WTVF-TV
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Crowned Miss Black Tennessee and Miss Fire Prevention. She also took part in the Miss Black America Pageant
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Won a scholarship to Tennessee State University based on her communication skills and worked at the WVOL local radio station whilst attending the University.
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Oprah ran away from home, ran wild and narrowly escaped being sent to a juvenile detention center.
During this time she gave birth to a premature boy, who died soon after birth. She then moved to Nashville, Tennessee with her father and her stepmother Zelma. Vernon by this time had become a successful businessman and city-council member. Vernon Winfrey was very strict and O became an honors student and graduated from East Nashville High Schoo
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
Moved from Milwaukee to live with her mother, stepsister and stepbrother in an inner city ghetto in Mississippi. During this time O later revealed she suffered from abuse and was raped by her cousin, uncle, and a family friend
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/05-oprah-winfrey-timeline.htm
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