Female Icons of the 2000s: Then and Now

#39: Oprah Winfrey Then

In the 2000s, Oprah Winfrey wasn’t just a TV host — she was an institution. Her talk show shaped the decade, turning interviews into cultural events and book recommendations into bestsellers overnight. Millions tuned in every afternoon for inspiration, tough love, and that famous generosity — “You get a car!” became shorthand for joy itself.

But it wasn’t just the spectacle. Oprah made empathy cool. She built a brand on emotional truth, self-improvement, and connection, long before “authenticity” became a buzzword. Whether she was sitting with celebrities or everyday people, Oprah had that rare power to make the world stop and listen.