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Oprah Winfrey

National Portrait Gallery

Object Details

Artist
Brigitte Lacombe, born 23 Dec 1950
Sitter
Oprah Gail Winfrey, born 29 Jan 1954
Exhibition Label
Born Kosciusko, Mississippi
The media mogul Oprah Winfrey has been called the “most influential” and “most powerful” woman in the world. Born to an impoverished single mother, she started her reporting career on the radio. Winfrey soon translated her on-air success to the television screen, working as a news anchor for several local stations. By the mid-1980s, she was at the helm of her own nationally syndicated talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986–2011), and her production company, HARPO. Winfrey’s empathetic persona grew in popularity during her years as a talk show host, and she expanded her brand to encompass a television network and magazine. In addition to producing movies, she has received praise for her performances in such films as The Color Purple (1985), Beloved (1998), and The Butler (2013). She often wields her influence by bringing attention to philanthropic causes, including education, natural disaster relief, housing, arts and culture, medical research, and environmental initiatives.
Nacida en Kosciusko, Misisipi
La magnate de los medios de comunicación Oprah Winfrey ha sido descrita como la mujer “más influyente” y “más poderosa” del mundo. Hija de una madre soltera de pocos recursos, comenzó su carrera como reportera en la radio. Pronto trasladó su éxito radial a la televisión, trabajando como presentadora de noticias en varias estaciones locales. Para media- dos de la década de 1980 se encontraba al timón de su propio programa de entrevistas transmitido nacionalmente, The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986–2011), así como de su compañía productora HARPO. Su imagen empática fue ganándole popularidad a lo largo de más de 20 años en el aire, y mientras tanto extendió su marca a una cadena de televisión y una revista. Además de producir películas, ha recibido elogios por su actuación en filmes como The Color Purple (1985), Beloved (1998) y The Butler (2013). A menudo emplea su influencia para traer a la atención pública causas filantrópicas como la educación, el socorro ante desastres naturales, la vivienda, el arte y la cultura, la investigación médica e iniciativas ambientalistas.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
2009 (printed 2012)
Object number
NPG.2012.49
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Brigitte Lacombe
Type
Photograph
Medium
Inkjet print
Dimensions
Image: 45.8 x 45.8 cm (18 1/16 x 18 1/16")
Sheet: 61.1 x 50.7 cm (24 1/16 x 19 15/16")
Mat: 81.3 × 66 cm (32 × 26")
Place
United States\California\Santa Barbara\Santa Barbara
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Costume\Jewelry\Earring
Oprah Gail Winfrey: Female
Oprah Gail Winfrey: Arts and Culture\Journalism and Media\Magazine publisher
Oprah Gail Winfrey: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Film\Movie actor
Oprah Gail Winfrey: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Television\Television personality
Oprah Gail Winfrey: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Business executive\Media industry executive
Oprah Gail Winfrey: Civilian awards\Presidential Medal of Freedom
Oprah Gail Winfrey: Business and Finance\Businessperson\Business executive\Television executive
Portrait
Record ID
npg_NPG.2012.49
Metadata Usage (text)
Usage conditions apply
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4e725d311-0bf6-4b24-a8bf-64e114904bdc

Related Content

  • American Women in Journalism and Media

  • Entertaining Women: American Women on Stage and Screen

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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