Oprah’s Last Show
From 1986 to 2011, Oprah Winfrey dominated the TV talk show market. Mostly known as a television host, she is also a producer, actress and philanthropist. She was at one point the world’s only black billionaire, but has remained the greatest black philanthropist in American history!
For 25 years, The Oprah Winfrey Show has been the highest-rated program of its kind in history. It has been shown in 121 countries and at least 49 million Americans tune in each week!
Unlike many other stars today, she is someone who came from a completely poverty–stricken background. She was born into the poorest situation where her mother was a housemaid and father a soldier (who was also a barber, coal miner and city councilman). They were unmarried, and Oprah spent the first 6 years of her life with her grandmother who was so poor that Oprah was dressed in potato sacks! She was taught how to read by her grandmother, but was often hit with a switch if she did not do the house chores or if she misbehaved.
She had 2 half-sisters and one half-brother: one who died of a cocaine addiction, one who was given up for adoption and another who died of AIDS-related causes. Her life got tougher as she grew up, she was raped by her cousin at aged 9, and sexually abused by her uncle and a family friend. She was a troubled teenager who was once sent to a juvenile home, and after years of abuse she ran away from home at age 13. In the following year, she became pregnant with a baby boy who died premature and still born.
Her tough background makes her empathy very real and genuine when discussing problems with her fellow talk-show guests and international audience. She shows to others how people can be happy even in the face of adversity and hardship. Openly sharing her most intimate experiences on national television, in turn others do too.
After her pregnancy ordeal, she was sent to Tennessee to be with her father. He was very strict, but made her education a priority which took her life onto a different path. She became an honours student, won 2nd place in a dramatic interpretation national contest and won an oratory contest which got her a full-scholarship to the Tennessee State University. In high school, she was in the high school speech team and was also voted the Most Popular Girl. She studied communication at university and at age 17, Oprah won Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant!
From a once-poor-girl from Mississippi, her fortune is now estimated to be US$1.4 billion… and she is considered by some, to be the most influential person. Her recommendations at the book club can automatically create best-sellers, and her recommendations of commercial products can bring companies out of bankruptcy! This influential effect has been dubbed “The Oprah Effect”.
At the end of last month, she decided to end her worldwide famous talk show. It was an emotional and dramatic scene. I have added the article below for all of you to read…
Do you think that she will lose the “Oprah Effect”?
Tsem Rinpoche
Oprah Winfrey Show Ends: Winfrey Cries, Hollywood A-listers Pay Tribute to Her
Oprah Winfrey ended her worldwide famous “Oprah Winfrey Show” on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at Harpo Studios in Chicago after 25 years. She hugged and kissed her longtime partner Stedman Graham, shook hands with audience members and even cried on the stage.
The powerful woman also sent many thanks to her viewers for watching this show in a quarter of the century. “Twenty-five years and I’m still saying, “Thank you America!” Thank you so much. There are no words to match this moment.” she said.
The final “The Oprah Winfrey Show” took place a week after Hollywood A-listers including Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Beyonce, Will Smith, Michael Jordan, Madonna and about 13,000 fans paid tribute to Winfrey at “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular” at Chicago’s United Center.
Let’s take a look at some memorable moments of the “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular” at the United Center in Chicago.
Many Hollywood superstars and about 13,000 fans gather at “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular” on Tuesday, May 17 in Chicago
Oprah Winfrey moves to tears when Tom Hanks, left, talks to her during “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular”
Stedman Graham, Winfrey’s longtime partner, said that he loved Winfrey and was proud of her during the taping on Tuesday, May 17
Halle Berry, left, Katie Holmes, center, and Queen Latifah attend “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular” at the United Center in Chicago on Tuesday, May 17
Michael Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles in the 1990s, also pays tribute the talk host. He told Winfrey that she inspires him
Actress Dakota Fanning, surrounded by children, told Winfrey “We call ourselves Oprah show babies. Your voice has been the soundtrack of our lives.”
Stevie Wonder serenaded Winfrey with an original song, singing to her
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is among the stars paying tribute to Winfrey
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith also join Winfrey on the stage
Tom Cruise, who was famous for his couch jumping on Winfrey’s show, is among the stars at “Surprise Oprah!” on Tuesday, May 17
Beyonce sings “Run the World (Girls),” backed by dozens of dancers, during “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular”
Singer Usher kisses Oprah Winfrey next to actor Will Smith, center, former NBA star Michael Jordan, third from right, actor Tom Cruise, second from right, talk host Rosie O’Donnell, right, and Simon Cowell, left
Oprah Winfrey wipes away tears as celebrity after celebrity surprised her during a farewell double-episode taping of “The Oprah Winfrey Show”
Or view the video on the server at: http://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/SurpriseOprahAFarewellSpectacular.flv
Dear Lama
I always love Oprah and an avid reader of O magazine lately. Her life has been inspiring to me, and I like her charity works. All along she has been one of my heroes not only because she is so successful, but because of her kindness.
What amazed me the most is regardless of her successful talk-show, she is not attached and brave enough to end it. That is definitely another inspiration for me.
Much care
Valentina
I love Oprah, she is such a wonderful and down to earth person. Not just that, because of her childhood and up bringing, she has emerged herself as an inspirational figure to many….
I wish there would be many more mini “Oprahs” in this world, using their own stories and experiences to inspire and touch people’s lives.
Personally, I don’t think she will lose her “Oprah effect”, as a matter of fact, I do strongly believe that she will continue to use her influence and charism to help others in many other avenues other than a TV host.
She is amazing. A very strong lady, despite all her hardship; she took charge of her life and become an inspiration for so many people in the world. Her show had shared tears and touched so many. Everybody got a part of Oprah in them. Amazing achievement.
What a career. What a life! To live her life and make a living by bringing important social issues to light, by giving voice to those without, for helping people feel better about themselves,for bringing laughter into people’s lives, for sharing good ideas and being a source of encouragement, for the many good she has done all over the world, and for being an inspiration to millions over the world.
And to think that she is supported by ordinary people with extra-ordinary drive and sense of purpose.
In essence, there is so much more in H.E. Lama TTR’s blog and teachings that can do more than a TV show. It should be on the world stage.
I don’t think Oprah will lose the “Oprah Effect.” In fact, with the kick-off of her own network “OWN” I think she will be more famous and rich than ever. This is proof that good karma exists! With her generosity and compassion, there is no doubt she will have a good rebirth.
Watch OWN!!!! Haha I sound like an Oprah pusher!!!!
Yes, Oprah is very inspiring and she is really a tough, strong and compassionate lady! It may looks like she’s ending her talk show but she is moving to a bigger platform, a bigger playground by running her own station.
She’ll be able to conceptualise in a way that her TV network is able to help and benefit many out there throughout her stations transmission time and not just at a certain slot.
This is her way of helping more people, that’s my point of view.
I am pretty sure she will focus even more on her spiritual life now.
I can recommend her extensive Youtube sessions with Eckhart Tolle on meditation and spirituality in general. Very insightful to see the topic in both a religious and non-religious view.