logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
38m 6s

Oprah Winfrey: Queen of all media

Bbc World Service
About this episode

How did Oprah become the richest African American of the 20th Century? BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng find out, and then they judge her.

In the podcast that uncovers how the world's 2,668 billionaires made their money and asks if they are good or bad for the planet, Simon and Zing follow Oprah Winfrey's rise from a poor young girl dressed in potato sacks, to the queen of all media. And find out what surprising item she bought with her first million.

We’d love to hear your feedback. Email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or drop us a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176.

To find out more about the show and read our privacy notice, visit www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire

Up next
Aug 4
Hetty Green: The 'witch' of Wall Street
Hetty Green was America’s richest woman, but was renowned as the nation’s biggest miser. But she built her investment fortune in an era before women could even vote.Journalist Zing Tsjeng and BBC business editor Simon Jack tell the forgotten story of a woman guided by Quakerism w ... Show More
47m 50s
Jul 28
Sam Walton: Walmart’s founder
Sam Walton put discount megastores on the map and built the largest retailer on Earth. He founded Walmart, which now has around 10,500 stores across 19 countries, and 255 million customers a week, thanks to their low prices. They also employ more than two million workers.BBC busi ... Show More
44m 29s
Jul 21
Howard Hughes: Eccentric aviator
The original weird billionaire, Howard Hughes was a filmmaker, a playboy and a world record-breaking aviator. He was also an obsessive germophobe who died a paranoid recluse.Journalist Zing Tsjeng and BBC business editor Simon Jack tell the story of one of the strangest billionai ... Show More
45m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2019
When You Know Better, You Do Better
Maya Angelou once told Oprah, "When you know better, you do better." Oprah underscores this message with insightful stories from her own life and from those of Oprah Winfrey Show guests who learned from the mistakes they made. Oprah shares that she has empathy for other people's ... Show More
29m 49s
Apr 2024
The Power of Speaking Up - Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul, actress, producer, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which ran from 1986 to 2011 and became one of the highest-rated talk show in television history. Its success helped her become the world’s first B ... Show More
15m 41s
Mar 2020
Oprah and Gayle King: Your Life in Focus
As a part of WW Presents “Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus Tour,” CBS This Morning co-host and O, The Oprah Magazine editor-at-large Gayle King sits down with Oprah in front of a live audience in Denver. Gayle discusses her favorite memories during her 40-year friendship w ... Show More
51 m
Jul 2019
Oprah on the False Power of Ego
Oprah talks about the power of ego and why she now regrets pulling out the infamous "wagon of fat" on The Oprah Winfrey Show—the most-watched Oprah episode in history. Oprah shares the ways in which it affected how others viewed her, as well as her own self-image. She explains wh ... Show More
16m 49s
Nov 2022
Oprah Winfrey Read by Gayle King
[This episode originally aired June 2020.] Once upon a time, there was a girl whose little voice grew to make a big difference. Her name was Oprah. When Oprah won a beauty pageant, a local radio invited her to the studio to realize her dream of becoming a broadcast journalist. Bu ... Show More
23m 16s
Dec 2020
Oprah Winfrey: Intention
Oprah Winfrey says intention is at the heart of her every decision and has become an intrinsic part of her spiritual journey. When she first encountered the idea of intention in Gary Zukav’s best-selling book The Seat of the Soul, she says it was life changing. It soon became the ... Show More
22m 50s
Mar 2021
Meghan Markle, the monarchy, and racism
After a bombshell interview between Oprah and Meghan Markle watched by millions around the world, culture writer Kovie Biakolo discusses the revelations in the interview, and the issue of racism in the royal family. 
20m 5s
Feb 2019
Oprah Winfrey, Part 2
In Part 2 of Oprah Winfrey’s “Master Class” discussion, she shares how “The Oprah Winfrey Show” started and how it healed her. Oprah also explains why she believes she was cast in the movie “The Color Purple.” Oprah offers spiritual lessons she’s learned about finding your purpos ... Show More
33m 34s
Dec 2013
'The Oprah Winfrey Show' Show
What has Oprah been up to since we first discussed her rise to media mogul status? Cristen and Caroline discuss Oprah's recent small and big screen success in this special holiday revisit of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Show first aired in November 2011. Learn more about your ad-choi ... Show More
33m 59s
Aug 2023
Oprah's Most Memorable Guests
Original Airdate: April 21, 2009Over the years, Oprah has interviewed close to 28,000 people from all walks of life. Let’s take a look back on the interviews we'll never forget. We’ll revisit the Mississippi man who shed over 300 pounds, the ex-husband of Susan Smith, the women w ... Show More
37m 39s