There is no doubt that
Oprah Winfrey is a powerhouse bringing a million big ideas to millions of viewers or capable of bringing down the author of
A Million Little Pieces.
She is a rich woman, with a passionate heart for the world and a cool billion in her wallet. Recently, Winfrey unveiled her new school in Africa called, The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. The school was a part of the ChristmasKindness project where children were given uniforms, shoes, dolls and soccer balls. There are plans for future schools in Africa to open for boys as well.
Besides her own work with the Oprah Angel Network, Winfrey has worked with U2's Bono to bring awareness to the
Product (RED) campaign. Proceeds from items purchased go back to Africa to fight against
AIDS. The campaign has teamed up with
Apple's special edition red ipod,
Giorgio Armani's clothing and sunglasses,
Motorola's MOTORAZR and MOTOSLVR,
GAP apparel and accessories, and
Converse shoes to provide products that help victims.
Winfrey's team raised
Hurricane Katrina and
tsunami aid in order to build homes for families. International news reports are given by
Lisa Ling and
Anderson Cooper about the current conditions in our prison systems as well as overseas with children and poverty.
After 20 years of shows,
The Oprah Winfrey Show 20th Anniversary DVD was released to provide aid to women and children all over the world. It was a huge success because it also gave viewers a scrapbook DVD complete with heartwarming memories sure to make you cry. Other DVDs are available such as the Leadership Academy DVD which can be currently pre-ordered or the trip Oprah took with
Elie Wiesel at a concentration camp in Auschwitz.
Winfrey has made news with her
Oprah’s Book Club, which reaches an audience over the Internet and into homes. One of Winfrey's picks, A Million Little Pieces by James Frey, went immediately to a best-seller. However, Winfrey learned that the memoirs were not factual and demanded an apology from Frey from betraying the public. The next day, the Oprah Book Club stickers were removed from the copies of Frey's book.
It was like experiencing a dream episode. It still was an interesting read. Too bad it wasn't real.
Additionally, Winfrey has collected a group of friends in different areas of expertise to form: Oprah & Friends Radio, which features:
- Bob Greene, exercise physiologist
- Dr. Maya Angelou, best-selling author
- Gayle King, TV personality and Oprah’s best friend
- Dr. Mehmet Oz, heart surgeon
- Jean Chatzky, financial expert
- Dr. Robin Smith, psychologist
- Nate Berkus, interior designer
- Marianne Williamson, best-selling author for personal and spiritual issues
It seems like anyone that appears on the show will be even more successful afterwards. Here a couple of people that have gladly received the Midas touch.
- Rachel Ray, TV chef on Food Network and the Rachel Ray show
- Dr. Phil McGraw, clinical psychologist, The Dr. Phil Show
And of course, in case anyone misses anything on TV, radio or on the Internet, there is always O magazine and O at Home. For years, people have wanted her to run for president but I'm sure Oprah Winfrey has her hands full saving the world.