Female Icons of the 2000s: Then and Now

#40: Oprah Winfrey Now

Today, Oprah is more like a spiritual guide than a TV personality. She’s stepped back from daily broadcasting but still shapes culture through OWN, her interviews, and The Oprah Conversation. Her empire has evolved into something quieter, wiser — less about giving things away, more about giving perspective.

She’s also leaned into mentorship, amplifying new voices and building space for deeper storytelling. Oprah isn’t chasing the spotlight anymore — she’s passing it on. Her influence runs through everything from podcast culture to self-help books. Decades later, she’s still teaching the same lesson: listen, learn, and lead with heart.