Oprah Winfrey is born on January 29, 1954.

Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954.

Oprah Winfrey's maternal grandmother, Hattie Mae Lee, passed away on February 27, 1963. She played a significant role in Oprah's early life, teaching her to read and taking her to church.

Oprah Winfrey attended college during the period from January 1, 1970 to January 1, 1973.

In 1971, Oprah Winfrey wins the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant.

In 1973, Oprah Winfrey graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in Speech and Performing Arts, becoming the first black TV news anchor reporter with WTVF-TV.

She made history by becoming the first black news reporter at WTVF.

She relocated to Baltimore to host the 6 o'clock news at WJZ-TV, where she met Gayle King, who was a production assistant at the station.

Oprah Winfrey joined Richard Sher as co-host of WJZ's local talk show People Are Talking, which premiered on August 14, 1978. This marked a significant career move for Winfrey as she transitioned into a co-host role for a local talk show.

On September 8, 1981, Winfrey wrote a suicide note to best friend Gayle King instructing King to water her plants. However, Winfrey later clarified that the suicide note had been overplayed and she couldn't kill herself.

In late 1983, Oprah Winfrey moved to Chicago, Illinois, to host the talk show A.M. Chicago for WLS-TV, which became extremely successful in the ratings.

On January 2, 1984, Oprah Winfrey takes over as host of AM Chicago.

On December 18, 1985, The Colour Purple is released in cinemas.

The Oprah Winfrey Show, hosted by Oprah Winfrey, began its national syndication in 1986 from Chicago. It ran for 25 years and became one of the most influential talk shows in television history.

Oprah was removed from the evening program at WJZ-TV and became the cohost of the morning show 'People Are Talking'.

On September 8, 1986, The Oprah Winfrey Show debuts.

Oprah Winfrey completed her college degree in 1987, by which time she was already a successful television personality. This achievement marked a significant milestone in her life and career.

The Wall Street Journal coined the term 'Oprahfication', which refers to public confession as a form of therapy, inspired by Oprah Winfrey's openness about her personal struggles.

Oprah Winfrey was accepted into the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame in 1989 for her significant contributions and influence.

In 1990, Oprah Winfrey felt betrayed when a family member sold the story of her son, who was born prematurely and died shortly after birth, to the National Enquirer. This event deeply affected her.

In 1992, Oprah purchased an 80-acre compound in Telluride, Colorado, which she later sold in approximately late 2000.

Oprah Winfrey broadcasted an interview with singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, in what was his first TV interview for over a decade. The special was watched by more than 90 million people and remains one of Winfrey’s most sensational specials.

In 1994, Oprah Winfrey was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, honoring her achievements and impact as a prominent figure in the media and entertainment industry.

During a show about mad cow disease with Howard Lyman (aired on April 16, 1996), Winfrey said she was stopped cold from eating another burger. Texas cattlemen sued her and Lyman in early 1998 for 'false defamation of perishable food' and 'business disparagement,' claiming that Winfrey's remarks sent cattle prices tumbling, costing beef producers $11 million.

Oprah Winfrey launched her book club, which became immensely popular and influential in promoting literature and authors.

In April 1997, Winfrey played the therapist in 'The Puppy Episode' on the sitcom Ellen to whom the character (and the real-life Ellen DeGeneres) came out as a lesbian.

Oprah Winfrey was engaged in a legal battle after Texas cattlemen claimed that her special on mad cow disease had maliciously harmed the US beef industry. Jurors rejected the multimillion-dollar defamation suit in 1998.

Oprah Winfrey debuted Oxygen Media, a company dedicated to producing cable and online programming for women, in 1999. This marked her venture into the media industry beyond her talk show.

Oprah Winfrey branched out into the world of magazines with the self-branded O, The Oprah Magazine. It remained in print until 2020, after which the mag moved to online-only.

Twelve days after the September 11 attacks, New York mayor Rudy Giuliani asked Oprah Winfrey to serve as host of a Prayer for America service at New York City's Yankee Stadium.

Oprah Winfrey became the first-ever recipient of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in recognition of her services to TV and film at the Emmy Award ceremony. This marked a significant honor in her career.

Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman billionaire in the world in 2003.

In 2004, Oprah Winfrey hosted the Nobel Peace Prize Concert and was named by Time as one of the 100 people who most influenced the 20th century.

On December 1, 2005, Winfrey appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman for the first time in 16 years, promoting the new Broadway musical, The Color Purple, and contributing to a significant increase in viewership for the show.

On February 9, 2006, Oprah Winfrey signed a 3-year contract with XM Satellite Radio to establish a new radio channel based in Chicago, and was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people of the year.

Oprah Winfrey threw her support behind Barack Obama before he announced his presidential run. Her endorsement of his 2006 book The Audacity of Hope is often credited for launching it to No 1 on the New York Time’s bestseller list. Obama’s appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show is viewed as a significant waypoint in his journey to being elected.

On September 10, 2007, Letterman made his first appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, marking a significant collaboration between two influential figures in television.

In January 2008, Winfrey and Discovery Communications announced the transformation of Discovery Health Channel into a new channel called OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, which was eventually launched on January 1, 2011.

In 2009, Winfrey faced criticism for allowing actress Suzanne Somers to discuss controversial hormone treatments on her show, sparking a debate about the responsibility of media figures in promoting alternative medical practices.

In 2010, Oprah Winfrey was named a Kennedy Center honoree, recognizing her significant contributions to the arts and culture.

Oprah Winfrey celebrated the launch of her own TV network, dedicated to entertainment and lifestyle programming, marking a new chapter in her career as a media mogul.

Winfrey’s hugely successful series came to an end in 2011, with the expiration of her contract. In the years since, she has continued to host talk shows on a number of different platforms, and currently presents The Oprah Conversation and Oprah’s Book Club for Apple TV+.

Oprah Winfrey received an Academy Award in 2012. This achievement solidified her influence in the film industry.

President Obama recognized Oprah Winfrey’s philanthropy and work as 'one of the world’s most successful broadcast journalists' when he awarded her the country’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2013.

As of 2014, Oprah Winfrey had a net worth in excess of 2.9 billion dollars, making her the richest self-made woman in America.

In 2015, Oprah expanded her Montecito compound with additional properties and sold both of her downtown Chicago homes, indicating a shift in her real estate portfolio.

In 2016, Oprah Winfrey selected 100 people for the SuperSoul 100 list, recognizing them as innovators and visionaries aligned on a mission to move humanity forward.

In January 2017, CBS announced that Winfrey would join 60 Minutes as a special contributor, marking her involvement in the Sunday evening news magazine program starting in September 2017.

Oprah Winfrey became the first African-American woman to receive the Golden Globes' Cecil B. DeMille Award. During her acceptance speech, she highlighted the influence of Sidney Poitier's honor at the Globes and emphasized the significance of a free press and the impact of speaking the truth in a society affected by powerful men.

Oprah's Book Club, the first show under the partnership with Apple, premiered on November 1, 2019, bringing Winfrey's influential book club to the digital platform.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Oprah Talks COVID-19 debuted on March 21, 2020, showcasing Winfrey's efforts to address impactful and relevant topics during the global crisis.

The Oprah Conversation debuted on July 30, 2020, featuring Winfrey's exploration of impactful and relevant topics with thought leaders from around the world, further solidifying her influence in media.

On March 7, 2021, Oprah Winfrey aired an exclusive interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The interview drew significant attention and praise for Winfrey's interviewing skills.

Oprah Winfrey was a producer for the documentary film 'Sidney' in 2022.

In 2023, Oprah Winfrey was a producer for the movie 'The Color Purple'.