PEOPLEOprah WinfreyAdd TopicHappy birthday, Oprah Winfrey! The TV host turns 70Oprah Winfrey has had a legendary media career spanning several decades. The entertainment mogul took daytime TV by storm in the 1980s, produced several movies and TV shows, helmed a self-titled lifestyle magazine and launched her own TV network, rightfully named OWN.We are looking back on Winfrey's career in honor of her 70th birthday on Jan. 29, 2024. Here, Winfrey arrives for the world premiere of "The Color Purple" at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2023. Scroll through for more.FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP Via Getty ImagesActress Sheryl Lee Ralph, left, opens up to Winfrey in the special "'The Life You Want' Class: A Conversation with Sheryl Lee Ralph," which aired Jan. 24, 2024.Oprah DailyWinfrey presents the award for best actor during the 29th Critics Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on Jan. 14, 2024.Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP File PhotoWinfrey rocks an off-the-shoulder, purple gown at the 81st Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 7, 2024.Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesWinfrey, left, and longtime friend Gayle King share a table at the 2024 Golden Globes on Jan. 7.Todd Williamson, CBSWinfrey, left, and artist Shawn Michael Warren pose together next to Warren's portrait of Winfrey at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 13, 2023.Jacquelyn Martin, APOnlookers take photos of Winfrey during her portrait unveiling ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 13, 2023.Jacquelyn Martin/APWinfrey speaks about the other iconic figures whose portraits are displayed in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery during her portrait unveiling ceremony on Dec. 13, 2023.Jacquelyn Martin, APWinfrey sparkles in a bedazzled purple blazer as she participates in the ceremonial lighting of the Empire State Building in New York on Dec. 12, 2023.Evan Agostini, Evan Agostini/Invision/APWinfrey, center, poses with Andrea Mona Bowman, left, and Lawrence Davis during the Los Angeles premiere of "The Color Purple" on Dec. 6, 2023.Courtesy Of Andrea Mona BowmanWinfrey, right, and filmmaker Tyler Perry twin in purple at the world premiere of "The Color Purple" at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2023.FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP Via Getty ImagesWinfrey, center, Colman Domingo, left, and Ghanaian director Blitz Bazawule attend the LA premiere of "The Color Purple" on Dec. 6, 2023.FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP Via Getty ImagesWinfrey arrives at Elle's 2023 Women in Hollywood Celebration at Nya Studios in Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2023.Phillip Faraone, Getty Images For ELLEWinfrey, center right, poses with "The Color Purple" cast, from left, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson and Fantasia Barrino during Elle's 2023 Women in Hollywood Celebration in Los Angeles on Dec. 5.Stefanie Keenan, Getty Images For ELLEWinfrey presents honorees during Elle's Women in Hollywood Celebration ceremony on Dec. 5, 2023.Emma McIntyre, Getty Images For ELLEWinfrey, left, and Brooks attend the 3rd annual Academy Museum Gala at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on Dec. 3, 2023.MICHAEL TRAN, AFP Via Getty ImagesWinfrey arrives at the premiere of "The 1619 Project" at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2023.Richard Shotwell, Richard Shotwell/Invision/APWinfrey, center, meets with Maryland's Governor-Elect Wes Moore and his family before his inauguration on Jan. 18, 2023.Bryan Woolston, APWinfrey, right, and Gov. Wes Moore hug after she introduced him during his inaugural ceremony at the Maryland State House on Jan. 18, 2023.Chip Somodevilla, Getty ImagesWinfrey, left, hosts a conversation for Michelle Obama's latest memoir "The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times" at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, on Dec. 13, 2022.Amy Sussman, Getty Images For ABAWinfrey presents the award for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie during the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 12, 2022.Robert Hanashiro, Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAYTyler Perry, left, and Winfrey attend the "A Jazzman's Blues" premiere during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 11.Tommaso Boddi, Getty ImagesPerry, left, and Winfrey attend the "Sidney" premiere during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 11.Leon Bennett, WireImageIn 2021, Winfrey, right, hosted several major television events, one being the CBS Primetime Special featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The TV interview was the first one the couple conducted after walking away from royal duties and leaving the U.K. to live in California. Handout, Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese VOprah Winfrey made a remote appearance during the Global Citizen Awards Special Honoring Changemakers In 2020 Shaping The World We Want.Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images For Global CitizenAs award shows went virtual during the coronavirus pandemic, Oprah Winfrey presented the Governors Award to Tyler Perry during the 72nd Emmy Awards telecast in September 2020.ABCOprah Winfrey embarked on a country wide, nine-arena tour for Oprah's 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus Tour presented by WW (Weight Watchers) with special guests like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.Paras Griffin, Getty Images For OprahOprah presented Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, with the Centennial Award during the Save The Children's Centennial Celebration in October 2019.Andrew Toth, Getty Images For Save The ChildrOprah and Stedman Graham attended Tyler Perry Studios grand opening gala in October 2019. Perry named one of the sound stages after Winfrey.Paul R. Giunta, Getty ImagesOprah's OWN Network premiered "David Makes Man," a coming of age drama series, in August 2019.Rachel Luna, Getty ImagesOprah served as executive producer Ava DuVernay's "When They See Us," a powerful four-part series on the Central Park Five that premiered May 2019.Monica Schipper, Getty ImagesOprah helped former first lady Michelle Obama launch the book tour for her memoir, "Becoming." on Nov. 13, 2018 in Chicago.TANNEN MAURY/EPA-EFEShe wore a blush, Stella McCartney frock with scalloped, lace detailing to Prince Harry's wedding to Duchess Meghan on May 19, 2018.Ian West/APShe underwent a pretty extensive makeover to play Mrs. Which in the film.Atsushi Nishijima/DisneyOprah returned to the big screen in 2018 with "A Wrinkle in Time," co-starring Reese Witherspoon, far left, and Mindy Kaling, far right. The film was directed by Ava DuVernay, second from left.Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYOprah received the Cecil B. DeMille award at the 2018 Golden Globes. In her acceptance speech, she referenced the #Me Too and Time's Up movements, saying, "For too long women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men. But their time is up."Dan MacMedan/USA TODAY NETWORKIn celebration of her new book "The Wisdom of Sundays," Oprah held a Gospel brunch on Oct. 15, 2017 in Montecito.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesOprah, with co-star Rose Byrne, dusted off her acting chops for the 2017 HBO feature, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." Oprah played the title character's daughter, Deborah Lacks.Quantrell Colbert/HBOOprah continued her focus on wellness, debuting her first cookbook, "Food, Health, and Happiness," on Jan. 3, 2017.Flatiron BooksOprah Winfrey and Weight Watchers join forces as it's announced Winfrey purchased 10% share of the weight loss company on Oct. 19, 2015.PR NewswireExecutive producers Oprah Winfrey and David Shadrack Smith spoke at the OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network premiere of the landmark seven-night television event "Belief" at The TimesCenter on Oct. 14, 2015 in New York. The series explores people and their diverse faiths.Mark Von Holden, AP Images For OWN: Oprah Winfrey NetworkBanners hung outside Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios on March 4, 2015 in Chicago. Winfrey announced that she would be closing the facility which once housed her talk show but had been used for production of some of Winfrey's OWN network shows. The closing eliminated about 200 jobs in Chicago as the existing production migrated to the West Coast.Scott Olson, Getty ImagesOprah Winfrey presented for Best Adapted Screenplay at 87th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre.Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY.Two mega successful entertainment producers Oprah Winfrey, center left, and television producer and writer Shonda Rhimes, right, embraced on stage during the W.E.B. Du Bois medal award ceremonies, on Sept. 30, 2014, on the campus of Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass. The DuBois Medal is Harvard's highest honor in the field of African and African American Studies. Winfrey and Rhimes both received the medal.Steven Senne, APAnother award for Oprah! Former President Bill Clinton applauded at left as President Barack Obama awarded Oprah Winfrey the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Nov. 20, 2013, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House.Evan Vucci, APOprah Winfrey is embraced by her best friend Gayle King, left, and Maria Shriver on stage.Peter Wynn Thompson, AFP/Getty ImagesWinfrey became emotional as Kristin Chenoweth performed and graduates of Moorehouse College who were sponsored by Oprah's largess stood on stage during the taping of the third to last Oprah Winfrey Show at the United Center on May 17, 2011. It was a wrap up production of her wildly popular daytime television program after a 25-year run.AFP/Getty ImagesUsher, center, appeared with Oprah Winfrey as Will Smith, second right and Tom Cruise, right, celebrated during a star-studded double-taping of "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular," on May 17, 2011, in Chicago. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" ended its run May 25, after 25 years, and millions of her fans waited to see how she would close out a show that spawned a media empire.Charles Rex Arbogast, APOprah Winfrey, along with members of the cast of "Selma" walked down Broad St. towards the Edmund Pettus Bridge accompanied by thousands of participants in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18, 2015 in Selma, Ala. In 1965, King led thousands of nonviolent protestors on a march through Selma to the state capitol in a historic Civil Rights demonstration.Sean Gardner, Getty Images"Selma" Director Ava DuVernay and Oprah hugged it up at the Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach, on Feb. 21, 2015, in Santa Monica.Araya Diaz, WireImageOprah Winfrey played Annie Lee Cooper in the motion picture "Selma.Atsushi Nishijima, Paramount PicturesOprah walked with Prof. Henry Louis Gates in the procession during commencement ceremonies at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on May 30, 2013. Winfrey later received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.Elise Amendola, APOprah Winfrey, left, and "The Butler" director Lee Daniels shared a laugh at the THR's celebration of power 100 women in entertainment breakfast, on Dec. 11, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif.Eric Charbonneau, Invision For The Hollywood ReporterOprah Winfrey as Gloria Gaines, left, and Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines in "Lee Daniels' The Butler," which led the field in the SAG awards nominations.Anne Marie Fox, The Weinstein CompanyOprah Winfrey, left, and Tyler Perry, executive producers of "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," posed with Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe singer Mary J. Blige, right, onstage at the "Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire" screening introduction during the Toronto International Film Festival, on Sept. 13, 2009, in Toronto, Canada.C.J. LaFrance, Getty ImagesA combo picture made on Jan.15, 2013 in Paris, shows Oprah Winfrey and cycling champion Lance Armstrong. Lance Armstrong's reported admission to Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs meant he will likely go down in history as the most brazen drug cheat the sport has ever seen. The disgraced American cyclist's comments, reported Jan. 14, 2013 by USA Today, rewrote 14 years of deception and repeated denials that he used banned substances to win scores of international races, including the Tour de France seven times. His years of dominance in the sport's greatest race raised cycling's profile in the United States to new heights and gave Armstrong a platform to promote cancer awareness and research.AFP/Getty ImagesOprah Winfrey talked with Bobbi Kristina, daughter of the late singer Whitney Houston during an interview in Atlanta, Ga. The exclusive interview aired on the OWN network, Sunday, March 11, 2012.APRemember the first car giveaway on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' when the audience went bananas as she shouted 'You get a car!' 'You get a car!' 'You get a car!' Everyone received a Pontiac G6 in Sept. 2004. It became a pop culture must see moment. Guess what's behind the scrim for final Ultimate Favorite Things edition of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show?' Volkswagen revealed the design silhouette of its all-new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle and then shocked her audience by giving each of them a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.George Burns, PR NEWSWIREOprah Winfre danced as she celebrated with students of the first graduating class at her South African girls' academy on Jan. 13, 2012, in Henley on Klip. Winfrey founded the $40-million school for girls in 2007.Stephane De Sakutin, AFP/Getty ImagesRosie O'Donnell, left and Oprah Winfrey walked together outside Harpo Studios before the unveiling of a new sign outside Harpo Studios welcoming "The Rosie Show," to the studio on Sept. 15, 2011, in Chicago. "The Rosie Show" premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Winfrey has tapped numerous experts in their field and given them a platform on her network, another extension of the 'The Oprah Effect.'M. Spencer Green, APOprah Winfrey was teary eyed as she receives her Honorary Doctorate in the faculty of Education from the University of Bloemfontein on June 24, 2011.PABALLO THEKISO, AFP/Getty ImagesKimberly Adams waited outside the Harpo Studios before the final taping of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in Chicago, on May 24, 2011.Paul Beaty, APPresident Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are pictured with Oprah Winfrey during a taping of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' at Harpo Studios on April 27, 2011.Charles Dharapak, APRecipients of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, including from left, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey, reacted to the President Barack Obama's introduction to McCartney, during a reception in the East Room of the White House on Dec. 5, 2010.Manuel Balce Ceneta, APOprah made a visit to Tom Cruise at his home in Telluride, Colo., on April 25, 2008, where Winfrey taped a one-on-one interview with Cruise for "The Oprah Winfrey Show.APDemocratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.. got a hug from Oprah Winfrey as his wife Michelle, left, looks on during a Dec. 8, 2007 rally, in Des Moines, Iowa.Charlie Neibergall, APThe "Oprah Effect" went into political action as Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., spoke and Oprah Winfrey reacted in support at a rally in Manchester, N.H. on Dec. 9, 2007.Elise Amendola, APOprah Winfrey and students cut the ribbon at the official opening of her Leadership Academy for Girls School at Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, on Jan. 2, 2007. Winfrey opened the world class school for poor but talented South African girls fulfilling a long-cherished dream and a promise to her hero, Nelson Mandela.Denis Farrell, APWho can forget the moment Tom Cruise expressed his love for Katie Holmes during a 2005 taping of the Oprah Winfrey show by leaping on her couch? Cruise had long been a crush of Winfrey's.HarpoWinfrey is inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 19, 2005 in Los Angeles.Kevin Winter, Getty ImagesOprah Winfrey, left, is escorted by fellow talk show host David Letterman to the opening night of Winfrey's Broadway play "The Color Purple" in a Dec. 1, 2005 photo, in New York, during the taping of "Late Show with David Letterman." The two buried the hatchet after a rift that lasted more than a decade. It is said that Oprah did not like being he butt of his jokes about her weight, book club wealth and mad cow comments.Dima Gavrysh, APOprah Winfrey accepted the Bob Hope Award at the 54th Emmy Awards in 2002.Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAYOprah's Book Club book titled "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey, the discredited author who claimed the book non-fiction memoir account of his addictions, is displayed at a Borders Book store Sept. 26, 2005 in Norridge, Ill. Oprah has once again began to name living authors in her book club as the importance of having an Oprah book club logo on one's book is extremely good for sales.Tim Boyle, Getty ImagesOn Dec. 22, 2002 Nelson Mandela is being briefed by his wife Graca Machel-Mandela, right, on the stampede that occurred during a Christmas party held by Mandela held at his home village of Qunu, in the Eastern Cape province. The party turned chaotic resulting from the stampede. Oprah Winfrey, center, expresses her concerns as she was jointly responsible in handing out the Christmas gifts together with the former President Nelson Mandela. The stampede led to many children being treated at Mandela's home as others were evacuated to a local hospital. Winfrey's best friend Gayle King looks on in the background.Rajesh Jantilal, AFPIn this Dec. 6, 2002, image former South African president Nelson Mandela, right, and Oprah embraced during a ground breaking ceremony for the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Meyerton, South Africa.Themba Hadebe, APOprah Winfrey is greeted by fans when she arrives at the last stop on her "Your Best Life" tour.Forrest MacCormack For USA TODAY'O The Oprah Magazine' inaugural issue hit the newstands for May/June 2000. Yes, she's featured on every magazine cover.Patrick DemarchelierRepublican presidential candidate Texas Gov. George W. Bush kissed Oprah Winfrey on the cheek on Sept. 19, 2000.Wilfredo Lee, APKimberly Elise and Oprah Winfrey in a scene from Touchstone Pictures 1998 film 'Beloved."Ken Regan, Touchstone PicturesBill Cosby, right, hammed it up with children on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Jan. 14, 1998, in Chicago. They were gathered to discuss Cosby's latest children's books, "The Meanest Thing to Say," "The Treasure Hunt," and "The Best Way to Play.WFW Via APWhen Oprah speaks people listen. Winfrey celebrated after a jury ruled in her favor in Amarillo, Texas, Feb. 26, 1998. A jury rejected a lawsuit by Texas cattlemen who claimed Winfrey's televised comments about mad cow disease caused the beef market to plummet and cost them millions of dollars.LM Otero, APSchmoozing with presidents is nothing new for Winfrey (she met Richard Nixon while in high school). Here, she shook hands with President Clinton after a program called The Presidents' Call to Action held in Philadelphia. Former president Gerald Ford, left, former president George H.W. Bush and Nancy Reagan joined in.Eileen Blass, USA TODAYEllen DeGeneres, left, playing character Ellen Morgan, discussed her fears about coming out as a lesbian with her therapist, played by Oprah Winfrey, during a taping of the show "Ellen" in this March 14, 1997 image provided by Touchstone Television. DeGeneres herself came out as gay in an interview on Winfrey's talk show earlier in the year.Mike Ansell, Touchstone Television Via AP PhotoThen first lady Hillary Clinton, right, made an appearance on Winfrey's television show on May 16 1995. The Clinton told the Chicago audience that parents in particular and society in general must get more involved in child-rearing.Pool PhotoOprah Winfrey extended her top-rated talk show to cyberspace on Oct. 2, 1995, on America Online. The new service, "Oprah Online," featured a live auditorium with Oprah answering questions from viewers.Oprah Online, ABCOprah Winfrey and her longtime companion Stedman Graham arrived at the 67th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Winfrey has never been married.Robert Deutsch, USA TODAYWinfrey talked with guests in Chicago during the Aug. 30 1995, taping of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to launch her tenth season on national television.Steve Green, APOprah clutched her Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding talk show host, on May 25, 1994. Winfrey has won 17 Daytime Emmy awards. After winning the lifetime award she withdrew her name from further Emmy consideration.Luc Novovitch, APOprah Winfrey is a mother raising her family in the hazardous world of a Chicago housing project and Maya Angelou, left, is her mother, a precious representative of a generation that is not about to give up to fear and doubt, in "There Are No Children Here." Through the years, Angelou remained a mentor and friend to Winfrey.ABCShe got the big guests. Michael Jackson pointed out the sights to talk show host Oprah Winfrey at Jackson's ranch outside Los Olivos, Calif., in this February 1993 photo. Jackson was under investigation for sex-abuse allegations that he fondled a 13-year-old boy.APOprah hammed it up for the cameras after winning an Emmy for the outstanding talk/service show host during the 1992 Emmy Awards in New York.Luiz Ribeiro, APThe broadcaster continued to keep her acting chops in play as a shown in character in the ABC mini series "The Women of Brewster Place.ABCWinfrey stood next to a Stairmaster exercise machine during her talk show in Chicago on Nov. 15, 1989. Winfrey has been open about her health and wellness journey throughout the years.Mark Elias, APOprah Winfrey doesn't shy away from controversial hot topics. She gestured to the crowd at the Southwestern High School in Baltimore on Nov. 29, 1988, for quiet during the taping of her show on school violence.Jason Lee, APWinfrey has always been open about her weight challenges. The world has watched her go up in down in her 25 years of broadcast. In this Nov. 15, 1988, telecast Winfrey showed off her new figure during taping of her show in Chicago after she lost 67 pounds following a liquid diet and exercise.Charles Bennett, APIn ABC's Barbara Walters' 20th anniversary retrospective, she shared her best, worst and most unique moments with some of the world's most intriguing personalities. Walters interviewed Oprah Winfrey on April 11, 1988. Winfrey has often said that Walters was a role model for her as a broadcaster.Paul Natkin, ABCOprah Winfrey is shown in her Harpo Productions office with USA TODAY newspapers in a 1987 file photo. Seriously she got a lot of USA TODAY ink in those days, a real newsmaker!Paul NatkinTelevision talk-show host Oprah Winfrey in her studio office following a morning broadcast in Chicago, in this Dec. 18, 1985, file photo. Winfrey came to Chicago in 1984 to WLS-TV's morning talk show, 'A.M. Chicago.' A month later the show was No. 1 in the market. A year later it was renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show.'Charlie Knoblock, APOprah had a starring role as the fiesty Sofia in the 1985 blockbuster "The Color Purple.Warner Bros., Inc.Already a newsmaker, Oprah Winfrey posed for USA TODAY in 1986. Her many successful pursuits in media, film, education, philanthropy and consumer and politcal clout helped propel her to become one of the most powerful women in the world. She is also the first African-American female billionaire.Michael Keating, USA TODAYWho knew back in 1986 the world would witness the beginning of the "Oprah Effect?" Oprah Winfrey, who could read and write before age three, was tapped to read the news on WVOL radio station by her senior year in high school in Nashville. Here she hosts "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in its first season, 1986.Harrison JonesFeatured Weekly Ad