Oprah Winfrey, world’s richest Black woman, is $100 million richer

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, the world’s richest Black woman, has seen her net worth rise by $100 million since the start of the year, reinforcing her position among the world’s billionaires.

Oprah Winfrey’s fortune hits $3.1 billion

According to Forbes, Winfrey, known as the “Queen of Talk” for her long-running talk show that aired for 25 years until 2011, has transformed her platform into a successful media and business enterprise. Her net worth grew from $3 billion on Jan. 1 to $3.1 billion at the time of this report.

This latest increase follows a $200 million gain in 2024, when her estimated wealth rose from $2.8 billion at the end of 2023 to $3 billion by Dec. 31, 2024, further securing her standing as the world’s richest Black woman and among the top 1,300 wealthiest individuals globally.

Media empire built on film and TV

Winfrey built her media empire through Harpo Productions, co-producing acclaimed films such as The Color Purple, Beloved, and Selma. She also owns a 25.5-percent stake in the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), the cable channel she launched in 2011.

Her investment strategy has continued to pay off. In 2023, she invested in Dr. Barbara Sturm’s skincare line and made strategic real estate moves. The sale of her Montecito, California, estate alone brought in a $6.6 million profit, strengthening her financial portfolio.

Oprah Winfrey among Hawaii landowners

Winfrey’s holdings extend beyond the mainland U.S. Her vast property in Hawaii has earned her recognition as one of the state’s top billionaire landowners, alongside tech leaders Larry Ellison and Mark Zuckerberg, and retail magnate Tadashi Yanai. Her Hawaiian land spans 2,130 acres, a significant portion of which she plans to keep untouched.

Committed to conservation, Winfrey intends to plant native species and restore the watershed on her property. Her property manager, Bob Greene, explains, “She just wants to protect it forever,” underscoring her dedication to preserving the land for future generations.