Oprah Gail Winfrey, an extremely famous American TV personality well known for hosting the talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show. Besides hosting, she has exhibited her talent in acting and writing too. She is also the Chairwoman and CEO of Harpo Productions and Oprah Winfrey Network.
Oprah’s talks show success and her multi-dimensional career, it is a talk of the town and the burning question on the internet “Is Oprah a billionaire?”
Well, the answer to the question is yes. Oprah is the world’s first black billionaire and one of the richest women in the world. Her smartness and unique hosting talent made her this massive fortune.
Oprah Winfrey Net Worth
According to Forbes, Oprah Winfrey has an estimated net worth of $2.6 billion as of January 2022.
Oprah has hosted The Oprah Winfrey Show for 25 years which was the highest-rated talk show. The show has greatly benefitted her net worth. She is one of the most influential women in the world. With the influence of her emerging career, she has established a business empire. Her net worth is also boosted by her business and possessions.
How did Oprah Winfrey become a billionaire?
Oprah started her career as a news anchor at WTVF-TV. In 1984, Oprah moved to Chicago and joined WLS-TV to host their morning talk show “AM Chicago” which was the game changer for her career. Within a month of her taking over the show, it became the highest-rated talk show and was renamed after her name The Oprah Winfrey Show.
In 1995, being persuaded by Roger Ebert, Oprah signed a 4-year syndication contract with King World production worth $1 million to air the show nationally. Following the success of the show, she tried to renegotiate with King World but got refused.
Being refused to be renegotiated by the King World, she decided to produce the show and established Harpo Productions with Jeffrey Jacobs which was the door opener of her fortune. He owns 90% of Harpo Productions.
Due to her dedication, hard work, and talent, The Oprah Winfrey Show soon became the no 1 talk show in the world and earned her worldwide recognition. The show was on air for 25 years. The profit she made from the show was massive. She reinvested the profit and made her wealth worth billions.
In 2000, she was the first black billionaire and the richest African-American woman of the 20th century. According to The Standards, she made $350 million from The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2010. Oprah has transitioned her earnings into a business empire.
Let’s take a look at Oprah’s business empire…
Harpo Productions
Oprah along with Jeffrey Jacobs founded Harpo Productions which is the backward spell of Oprah. She owns a 90% stake in Harpo Productions. Along with The Oprah Winfrey Show Harpo Productions also produced a good number of TV shows including The Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Gill Show, Greenleaf, Queen Sugar, etc.
Oprah Winfrey Network
Oprah collaborated with Discovery Communications and renamed Discovery Health Channel into Oprah Winfrey Network and launched in 2011. She owns 25% of the channel which earns her an estimated $35-50 million in a year.
Real Estate
Oprah is very active in real estate too. She owns 1000 acres of land and a good number of properties. Her real estate properties have an estimated value of $200 million.
Other Ventures
Oprah’s long-term career in the TV industry and vision made her one of the most influential women in the world. Due to her influence among the people, she was offered a 10% equity share by Weight Watchers (later reduced to 7%). She also works as a brand ambassador of Weight Watchers.
Oprah has spread her influence in the writing arena too. She has co-authored five books. She publishes O, The Oprah Magazine which is regarded as the most successful startup.
In March 2020, Oprah signed a contract with tech giant Apple to host an interview show which will premiere on Apple TV.
Charity
Oprah has faced hard times and poverty in her early days. So, she has worked her whole life for educating the unprivileged girls of South Africa and improving their living conditions. So far she has donated more than $400 million for charity.
For her charity work, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 by President Barack Obama.
