Oprah Winfrey

Founder of Harpo Productions and chairman and CEO of OWN^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}

TelevisionMedia productionPublishingCable networksPhilanthropy

Unclaimed profileLast verified Oct 2, 2026

About

Oprah Winfrey is a television host, producer, actress, author and philanthropist who hosted and produced The Oprah Winfrey Show for 25 years. A January 2026 release lists her as chairman and CEO of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, founder of O, The Oprah Magazine and OprahDaily.com, and host of The Oprah Podcast, and says she oversees Harpo Productions.^{Source [1]}

She began her broadcast career in 1973 as a reporter at Nashville radio station WVOL and later worked as a news anchor in Nashville and Baltimore. In 1984 she moved to Chicago to host a morning talk program, which went into national syndication through King World as The Oprah Winfrey Show on September 8, 1986 and ran until May 2011.^{Source [2]}^{Source [3]}

She formed Harpo Productions in 1986, and in October 1988 the company took over ownership and production of her show. Through Harpo she started Oprah's Book Club in 1996 and launched O, The Oprah Magazine with Hearst in 2000. She also co-founded Oxygen Media, whose women-focused cable network launched in February 2000, and in 2008 formed OWN as a joint venture between Harpo and Discovery Communications.^{Source [2]}^{Source [4]}^{Source [5]}^{Source [6]}

She became OWN's chief executive in July 2011, and Discovery later bought most of Harpo's stake in the network in 2017 and 2020. In June 2018 Apple announced a multi-year partnership with her to create original programs. She served on the WW International (WeightWatchers) board from 2015 until she did not stand for re-election in 2024.^{Source [7]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [9]}^{Source [10]}^{Source [11]}

Her acting work includes an Academy Award nomination for The Color Purple (1985), and she produced and appeared in Selma. In 2007 she established the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Her honors include the Kennedy Center Honors (2010), the Academy's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (2011), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2013) and the Golden Globes' Cecil B. deMille Award (2018).^{Source [3]}^{Source [12]}^{Source [13]}^{Source [14]}^{Source [15]}

Watch

Career

Harpo Productions

1986 to now

Oxygen Media

1998

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

2008 to now

Company	Years	Role	Status
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Formed OWN through her company Harpo as a 50-50 joint venture with Discovery Communications announced in January 2008, serving as its chairman, and added the CEO title in July 2011. Harpo sold most of its stake to Discovery in 2017 and 2020 and keeps a minority interest; a January 2026 release lists her as OWN's chairman and CEO.^{Source [6]}^{Source [16]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [9]}^{Source [1]} Formed OWN in January 2008 as a 50-50 joint venture between Harpo and Discovery Communications, set to replace Discovery Health, and served as its chairman.^{Source [6]}^{Source [16]} Became CEO in July 2011, two months after her talk show ended, following the departure of the network's previous chief executive.^{Source [7]} Her exclusivity commitment to the network was extended through 2025 as part of Discovery's 2017 purchase of an additional 24.5% stake.^{Source [8]} OWN's president, Tina Perry, reports to her as chairman and CEO.^{Source [17]} Suggest a correction to OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network	2008 to now	Chairman^{Source [6]}^{Source [1]}Chief Executive Officer^{Source [7]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [1]}	Acquired
Oxygen Media Co-founded Oxygen Media with Geraldine Laybourne and Carsey-Werner-Mandabach producers Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner and Caryn Mandabach; its women-focused cable network launched on February 2, 2000. NBC Universal agreed to buy the company in October 2007.^{Source [4]}^{Source [20]}^{Source [5]}^{Source [21]} Committed programming to the network at launch, including Oprah Goes Online and an interview series, Oprah &..., plus later reruns of her talk show.^{Source [5]} Oxygen launched on February 2, 2000 in about 10 million homes, backed by more than $400 million from investors including Paul Allen, Bernard Arnault and America Online.^{Source [5]}^{Source [20]} NBC Universal agreed in October 2007 to buy the company for about $925 million.^{Source [21]} Suggest a correction to Oxygen Media	1998	Co-founder^{Source [4]}^{Source [18]}^{Source [19]}	Acquired
Harpo Productions Formed Harpo Productions in 1986 with herself as chairman, and in 1988 the company took over ownership and production of The Oprah Winfrey Show. A January 2026 release says she oversees Harpo Productions.^{Source [2]}^{Source [18]}^{Source [1]} Took over ownership and production of The Oprah Winfrey Show from Capitol Cities/ABC in October 1988 and spent $20 million to buy and renovate a Chicago production facility.^{Source [2]} Started Oprah's Book Club in September 1996 and launched O, The Oprah Magazine with Hearst in April 2000.^{Source [2]} Harpo Films produced the feature film Beloved (1998) and made-for-television movies under the Oprah Winfrey Presents banner.^{Source [18]}^{Source [2]}^{Source [22]} Held a 50% stake in OWN at its formation and sold most of it to Discovery in 2017 and 2020, keeping a minority interest.^{Source [6]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [9]} Suggest a correction to Harpo Productions	1986 to now	Founder^{Source [2]}^{Source [18]}^{Source [22]}Chairman^{Source [2]}^{Source [18]}^{Source [22]}	Active

Company

Years

Role

Status

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

Formed OWN through her company Harpo as a 50-50 joint venture with Discovery Communications announced in January 2008, serving as its chairman, and added the CEO title in July 2011. Harpo sold most of its stake to Discovery in 2017 and 2020 and keeps a minority interest; a January 2026 release lists her as OWN's chairman and CEO.^{Source [6]}^{Source [16]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [9]}^{Source [1]}

Formed OWN in January 2008 as a 50-50 joint venture between Harpo and Discovery Communications, set to replace Discovery Health, and served as its chairman.^{Source [6]}^{Source [16]}
Became CEO in July 2011, two months after her talk show ended, following the departure of the network's previous chief executive.^{Source [7]}
Her exclusivity commitment to the network was extended through 2025 as part of Discovery's 2017 purchase of an additional 24.5% stake.^{Source [8]}
OWN's president, Tina Perry, reports to her as chairman and CEO.^{Source [17]}

Suggest a correction to OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

2008 to now

Chairman^{Source [6]}^{Source [1]}Chief Executive Officer^{Source [7]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [1]}

Acquired

Oxygen Media

Co-founded Oxygen Media with Geraldine Laybourne and Carsey-Werner-Mandabach producers Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner and Caryn Mandabach; its women-focused cable network launched on February 2, 2000. NBC Universal agreed to buy the company in October 2007.^{Source [4]}^{Source [20]}^{Source [5]}^{Source [21]}

Committed programming to the network at launch, including Oprah Goes Online and an interview series, Oprah &..., plus later reruns of her talk show.^{Source [5]}
Oxygen launched on February 2, 2000 in about 10 million homes, backed by more than $400 million from investors including Paul Allen, Bernard Arnault and America Online.^{Source [5]}^{Source [20]}
NBC Universal agreed in October 2007 to buy the company for about $925 million.^{Source [21]}

Suggest a correction to Oxygen Media

1998

Co-founder^{Source [4]}^{Source [18]}^{Source [19]}

Acquired

Harpo Productions

Formed Harpo Productions in 1986 with herself as chairman, and in 1988 the company took over ownership and production of The Oprah Winfrey Show. A January 2026 release says she oversees Harpo Productions.^{Source [2]}^{Source [18]}^{Source [1]}

Took over ownership and production of The Oprah Winfrey Show from Capitol Cities/ABC in October 1988 and spent $20 million to buy and renovate a Chicago production facility.^{Source [2]}
Started Oprah's Book Club in September 1996 and launched O, The Oprah Magazine with Hearst in April 2000.^{Source [2]}
Harpo Films produced the feature film Beloved (1998) and made-for-television movies under the Oprah Winfrey Presents banner.^{Source [18]}^{Source [2]}^{Source [22]}
Held a 50% stake in OWN at its formation and sold most of it to Discovery in 2017 and 2020, keeping a minority interest.^{Source [6]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [9]}

Suggest a correction to Harpo Productions

1986 to now

Founder^{Source [2]}^{Source [18]}^{Source [22]}Chairman^{Source [2]}^{Source [18]}^{Source [22]}

Active

Milestones

2026-01Published Enough, a book on weight and health co-written with Dr. Ania Jastreboff.^{Source [23]}
2024-02WW International announced she would not stand for re-election to its board, where she had served since 2015.^{Source [11]}
2020-12Harpo exchanged a 20.2% interest in OWN for about $35 million of Discovery stock, leaving Discovery with approximately 94% of the network.^{Source [9]}
2018-06Apple announced a multi-year content partnership with her to create original programs.^{Source [10]}
2017-12Discovery bought an additional 24.5% of OWN for $70 million and her exclusivity commitment to the network was extended through 2025.^{Source [8]}
2013-08Named a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.^{Source [15]}
2011-07Named chief executive officer of OWN, in addition to chairman.^{Source [7]}
2011-05The Oprah Winfrey Show ended after 25 seasons.^{Source [3]}^{Source [7]}
2011-01OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network launched.^{Source [17]}^{Source [7]}
2008-01Harpo and Discovery Communications announced OWN as a 50-50 joint venture to replace Discovery Health, with her as chairman.^{Source [6]}^{Source [16]}
2007Established the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.^{Source [12]}^{Source [24]}
2000-04O, The Oprah Magazine premiered in partnership with Hearst.^{Source [2]}
2000-02Oxygen, the cable network she co-founded, launched.^{Source [5]}^{Source [4]}
1988-10Harpo Productions assumed ownership and production of The Oprah Winfrey Show.^{Source [2]}
1986-09The Oprah Winfrey Show began national syndication through King World.^{Source [3]}

Boards, investments and other roles

Organization	Role	Years
The Oprah PodcastMedia	Host^{Source [1]}
AppleMedia	Producer under a multi-year original content partnership^{Source [10]}	2018
WW International (WeightWatchers)Board	Board member^{Source [11]}	2015 to 2024
Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for GirlsNonprofit	Founder^{Source [12]}^{Source [24]}	2007
O, The Oprah MagazineMedia	Founder^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}	2000
Oprah's Book ClubMedia	Founder^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}	1996
The Oprah Winfrey ShowMedia	Host and producer^{Source [3]}^{Source [1]}	1986 to 2011

Education

Tennessee State University, Bachelor's degree (completed in 1988 after submitting a paper and show reels for her final credit) 1972 to 1975^{Source [25]}

Books

Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It's Like to Be Free 2026, Co-author^{Source [23]}
Build the Life You Want 2023, Co-author^{Source [26]}
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing 2021, Co-author^{Source [27]}
The Path Made Clear^{Source [28]}
The Wisdom of Sundays 2017^{Source [28]}
What I Know For Sure 2014^{Source [29]}

Honors

Cecil B. deMille Award (Golden Globes) 2018^{Source [12]}
Presidential Medal of Freedom 2013^{Source [15]}
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) 2011^{Source [14]}
Kennedy Center Honors 2010^{Source [13]}

Sources

SHRM Announces Global Media Leader and Philanthropist Oprah Winfrey as SHRM26 Main Stage Speaker, SHRM, 2026-01-26. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
History of Harpo Inc., FundingUniverse. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah goes national, HISTORY. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Pure Oxygen: Geraldine Laybourne '69, Vassar Quarterly, 2000-03. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Television: Will Women Take A Breath Of Oxygen?, TIME, 2000-01-31. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah getting her own TV network, TODAY, 2008-01-15. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah Winfrey appointed CEO of OWN Network, CBS News, 2011-07-13. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Discovery Increases Ownership Interest in OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery, Inc., 2017-12-04. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Discovery, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR), 2021-02-22. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Apple announces multi-year partnership with Oprah Winfrey, Apple Newsroom, 2018-06-15. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
WW International, Inc. Announces Upcoming Oprah Winfrey Board Transition, WW International via GlobeNewswire, 2024-02-28. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah Winfrey: Recipient Of The Cecil B. deMille Award 2018, Golden Globes. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Kennedy Center honors 2010: Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney among five receiving accolades, The Christian Science Monitor, 2010-12-06. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
The 2011 Governors Awards, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
President Obama Names Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients, The White House (archived), 2013-08-08. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Discovery Health 'OWN'ed by Oprah, Current, 2008-01-15. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
LEADERS Interview with Tina Perry, President, OWN TV Network and OTT Streaming, LEADERS Magazine, 2024-01. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Harpo, Inc., Reference for Business. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oxygen (TV network), Wikipedia. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oxygen Preps For TV Launch, CBS News, 1999-10-27. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
NBC Universal buying Oxygen Media, NBC News, 2007-10-09. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Harpo Productions, Wikipedia. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Book excerpt: "Enough" by Dr. Ania Jastreboff and Oprah Winfrey, CBS News, 2026-01. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls to close South Africa campus in 2027, LiveNOW from FOX. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Oprah Comes Full Circle at TSU Commencement, Tennessee Tribune, 2023-05. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, Penguin Random House. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, Google Books. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey, Pan Macmillan. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
What I Know For Sure, Google Books (Flatiron Books listing). Accessed Oct 2, 2026.

History

Sep 28, 2026: Profile created from public sources (Founded editors)
Oct 2, 2026: Enriched profile: about, education, other roles, milestones, books, awards, stint highlights (Founded editors)

Compiled by Founded editors from the cited public sources. Editorial policy / Request removal