Oprah Winfrey became a household name almost overnight when her self-titled talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, began airing. Over its 25-year run, with 4,561 episodes, the show touched millions of lives. While Oprah tackled countless issues on the show, what moved her most were the stories from viewers beyond the studio.
On the 39th anniversary of the show’s first episode, Oprah shared a touching memory about a viewer named Sandra from Boston. Sandra and her sister, both survivors of childhood sexual abuse, had kept their pain secret from each other until they watched an episode about abuse together. Seeing their own experiences reflected on the show helped them open up for the first time, marking a turning point in their lives. Oprah said moments like these are what made all the effort worthwhile.
Oprah’s career started unexpectedly when she was demoted from anchoring the news to hosting a talk show — a step people saw as a setback, but which led her toward stardom. The talk shows People Are Talking and later AM Chicago laid the groundwork until The Oprah Winfrey Show launched in 1986 and became a cultural phenomenon. Oprah’s empathy, honesty, and courage made her a trailblazer, especially as a young Black woman in the industry.
Reflecting on her journey, Oprah highlighted how the show became a force for good, touching countless lives through stories of hope, struggle, and healing. Even years after the show ended, fans still approach her to share how it changed them or their families. This legacy, Oprah believes, is about every life touched, not just one big event.
