As of August 2021, Oprah is the first Black woman billionaire with a net worth of 2.6 billion. Her climb to wealth started in 1986, when she started Harpo, Inc, a media and entertainment entity that has inked deals with ABC Television Network. At Harpo, Winfrey served as a producer for various movies including the critically acclaimed The Color Purple in which she played a supporting role.
Oprah is also the co-founder of Oxygen Media, which was formed in November 1998 along with Geraldine Laybourne, Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner, Caryn Mandabach. Oxygen Media includes the Oxygen Network, a women’s cable network that launched on February 2, 2000. On November 20, 2007, NBC Universal purchased Oxygen for $925 million.
In April 2000, Oprah and Hearst Magazines introduced O, The Oprah Magazine, a monthly magazine that is now one of today’s leading women’s lifestyle publications. O is credited as being the most successful magazine launch in modern history and has an audience of more than two million readers each month.
Winfrey currently has a 10% stake in WW International, Inc., formerly Weight Watchers International, Inc., worth a reported $34 million. She is also a Weight Watchers spokesperson and has sat on its board of directors since October 2015.