1954
Oprah Winfrey was born Orpah Gail Winfrey on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
“Oprah Gail Winfrey, because that is the child that was born on January 29th, 1954 in Kosciuszko, Mississippi.”
Topic
Oprah Winfrey
20 facts from 3 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
1969
Oprah Winfrey gave birth to a premature son in February 1969, shortly after turning 15, and the baby died about a month later.
“baby boy is born in February, 1969. Oprah had just turned 15.”
1970s
Oprah Winfrey was hired by CBS affiliate WLAC and became the first black woman on television in Nashville, while still in college.
“She becomes the first black woman on television in Nashville.”
1970s
Oprah Winfrey moved to Baltimore's WJZ to co-anchor the evening news with Jerry Turner, but was later demoted to weekend features reporter.
“take the co-anchor job on the evening news next to Jerry Turner, who was like a total legend at WJZ in Baltimore.”
1971
In Oprah Winfrey's senior year in 1971, she was selected to take part in the Nixon White House Conference on Children and Youth in Colorado.
“Richard Nixon white house, uh, at the time held this thing called the white house conference on children and youth.”
1972
Oprah Winfrey won the Miss Black Tennessee pageant while a college student, using it as a stepping stone to television.
“She enters miss black Tennessee. She wins that she becomes miss black Tennessee.”
1980s
The national syndication of Oprah Winfrey's Baltimore show People Are Talking reached only 17 markets and was canceled.
“but it only gets into 17 markets and it kind of flops nationally.”
1983
WLS manager Dennis Swanson offered Oprah Winfrey a $200,000 salary to host AM Chicago after a mock episode.
“he offers her the job on the spot, $200,000 salary, way more than she's making in Baltimore.”
1984
AM Chicago with Oprah Winfrey debuted in January 1984 and quickly moved WLS from last to first in the Chicago market.
“they debut the show in January, 1984. It is instant success, like literally instant overnight.”
1985
Oprah Winfrey played Sophia in Steven Spielberg's film The Color Purple and received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress.
“Oprah plays Sophia in The Color Purple nominated for an Academy award for best supporting actress.”
1987
Oprah Winfrey earned about $31 million in royalties and salary from the King World contract in 1987.
“She earns $31 million in royalties and salary from, uh, the King world contract in 1987.”
1988
The 1988 episode Diet Dreams, in which Oprah Winfrey discussed losing 67 pounds on Optifast, became the most-watched episode of her show.
“an episode called diet dreams where Oprah had lost 67 pounds on a diet. She did it with a product called Optifast.”
1988
At Harpo's founding, Oprah Winfrey owned 80%, Jeffrey Jacobs 10% and King World 10%.
“Oprah owns 80% of it. Jacobs owns 10% and King world gets an equity stake of 10% as well as part of this negotiation.”
1988
According to the hosts, Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman and only the third woman to own a production studio, after Mary Pickford and Lucille Ball.
“Oprah becomes the first black woman and only the third woman ever to own a production studio.”
1993
The hosts say Oprah Winfrey's interview with Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch drew about 90 million viewers.
“she did it on site at Neverland ranch that actually got 90 million viewers.”
1996-2011
The hosts say Oprah's Book Club selections sold about 55 million copies across 70 books over 15 years.
“there were 55 million copies sold after Oprah recommended it.”
2004
The hosts say Oprah's car giveaway involved 276 Pontiac cars worth $8 million, paid for by Pontiac as advertising.
“she gave away, uh, how many, 276 cars totaling $8 million.”
2008
In 2008 Oprah Winfrey made a deal with Discovery to turn the struggling Discovery Health channel into the Oprah Winfrey Network.
“she then does a deal with discovery in 2008, the discovery channel to turn the discovery health channel, which was struggling into the Oprah Winfrey network.”
Undated
David Senra says Michael Jordan told Oprah Winfrey in an interview that success is selfish, meaning it takes time away from other people.
“There's a great interview that Michael Jordan did a long time ago with Oprah Winfrey, and he has a line in there where he says success is selfish.”
Undated
Jennifer Cohen says Oprah Winfrey turned down her request to appear on her podcast.
“A lot of people said no to me. I like, asked Oprah Winfrey to be on my podcast, she said no.”
Episodes