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January 2, 2007

Inside Oprah's $40 Million New Year's Gift


Oprah was brought to tears over the holiday weekend, as a star-studded group of friends joined her at the opening of her $40 million Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls outside of Johannesburg, South Africa.

"The way you describe it; a supreme moment," Oprah said. "You understand this is, oh boy, I thought it was about Manolo Blahnik's. But no, it's not; no... I never thought that."

Oprah's all-girls academy stands good on a promise she made to Nelson Mandela six years ago, to educate and provide a future for impoverished girls.

"I never had children, never even thought I would have children," Oprah confessed. "Now I have 152 daughters; expecting 75 more next year. That is some type of gestation period!"

As for Oprah's dreams and aspirations for the young ladies, Lady O told "Extra," "The future is so bright for them, it burns my eyes."

We were with Oprah and her celebrity friends, Tina Turner, Mary J. Blige, Sidney Poitier, Spike Lee and Mariah Carey, as they made history in Africa.

"It's been pretty miraculous," Mariah admitted. "Oprah does nothing halfway, so I know these girls mean so much to her."

Funnyman Chris Rock was also on hand with wife Malaak and their two little girls, and the comedian put his trademark spin on Oprah's crusade.

"It's great that someone is spending this kind of money to educate my people," Rock said. "This is probably the biggest non-prison ever built for black people."

And of course, best buddy Gayle King was by Queen O's side.

"I'm so proud and so happy for you," Gayle told Oprah. "[That's] how I feel today because I know what this moment means to her."

But before Oprah brought everybody over to Johannesburg for the big reveal, it was an all-star New Year's Eve party, done the Oprah way.

"It was just amazing," Mariah told us.

The partygoers revealed it was a mind-blowing bash, which included an impromptu performance from the legendary Tina Turner.

"I did it because it was that kind of a party and it was celebrating Oprah," Tina touted.


NEXT: Randy Jackson: From Waiting Tables to Judging 'Idols'

 

I’m just going to make it short and sweet. When you are black and strong the black and weak will not have your back and being black this I know. In our own race how can we be so devided standing apart instead of together. How will our mines come out of bondage catching up with the body that is free. To free our mines is the key to breaking the cycle of hating among ourselves, and making what we have fought to have a black president of the united states of america. I never thought In my wildest dreams this I would ever live to see. Because at 46 I thought no way I would see a president the same color as me, but a black billionare woman saw beyond what all of us black people thought of in our dreams. She challenged a young man she knew had it in him to change the way of the world make a nation hear and not focus on the color of his face. Now if that is not enough to let all of you haters and you know who you are see that just because she steps to her own beat, doesn’t mean that O is not black and proud just because she has a mix in her crowd.


- in my mines eyes
Posted 04/25/09 12:00 AM
 

Anything or anyone that has credibility will withstand the critics and the test of time. You will reap what you sow. The Word of God states “GIVE and it shall come back to you good measure press down shaken together and RUNNING OVER” Key word here is GIVE. This is a spiritual principle which obviously Orprah has grasped at an early age and is running with it. You see when you run with God’s principles, you can never fail. You will always have the doubters however always remember God has the final say and He is the ultimate judge. If this all a fascade and everyone is being deceived, she will reap the consequences. So rather than judge Orprah, pray for her to use her platform to motivate, encourage the audience that at the end of the day it’s not about colour or wealth but it’s about humanity and the need to care for one another “for by their fruits you shall see”


- Anonymous
Posted 03/01/08 03:51 AM
 

Keep Good work and continue with your kindness and one day you shall call mother of many good children because you always ready to support less prinvilege people. Thanks Oprah


- K Oyewole
Posted 01/18/08 06:45 PM
 

I had never seen an human being kind like Oprah. If can have 100 people like you the whole WORLD will change to best place to leave. I really commend you for the spirit of sharing you have and this is reason you are blessed By GOD.


- K Oyewole
Posted 01/18/08 06:38 PM
 

Does it really matter who you help? Should color be an option? I am pretty sure your better blessing comes from unconditional giving.


- commonsense
Posted 01/05/08 06:29 PM
 

Oprah represents whats possible and what you can achieve in life,she’s been a role modle for since I was in the 4th grade and now I’m in the 9th grade. she keeps her head high and she walks with pride,what I like about her is she never lets anyone or anything bring her down she is both funny and serious and has a heart as big as the world.there are people that hate her like rappers and crazy black and white people,every thing she dose is for the world and it’s children and i’m proud to call her my idol and a mother in heart.go head ma


- kayla
Posted 09/16/07 12:09 AM
 

Oprah represents whats possible and what you can achieve in life,she’s been a role modle for since I was in the 4th grade and now I’m in the 9th grade. she keeps her head high and she walks with pride,what I like about her is she never lets anyone or anything bring her down she is both funny and serious and has a heart as big as the world.there are people that hate her like rappers and crazy black and white people,every thing she dose is for the world and it’s children and i’m proud to call her my idol and a mother in heart.go head ma


- kayla
Posted 09/16/07 12:06 AM
 

this is the problem i think people are not happy because Oprah helped black people and that is not acceptable.Its always great when we hear all the statistics that black people are the les educatedand we wanna keep it that way, now O is changingthat,so that ais the problem here. a school for 40 milion that does not matter it’s her money at least she is helping needy souls


- lorraien mbeke
Posted 07/07/07 11:37 PM
 

this is the problem i think people are not happy because Oprah helped black people and that is not acceptable.Its always great when we hear all the statistics that black people are the les educatedand we wanna keep it that way, now O is changingthat,so that ais the problem here. a school for 40 milion that does not matter it’s her money at least she is helping needy souls


- lorraien mbeke
Posted 07/07/07 11:36 PM
 

Hi oprah,

We need help to plan and manage a fundraising event for our organization, Unity Children Foundation for Liberia formed to provide food, shelter, education, and healthcare to all the needy children of Liberia. After 14 years of brutal civil war, many Liberians fled to surrounding countries for safety. Now that the war has ended, it’s time to rebuild the countrie’s infrastructure and its economic system. In addition, it is time to restore the self-esteem, dignity and independence of its people. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

All the best,

Viora Koah.


- Viora Koah
Posted 07/07/07 01:55 PM
 

i love will


- julia
Posted 05/31/07 02:18 PM
 

i love will


- julia
Posted 05/31/07 02:17 PM
 

logically 40 million dollars is a lot to spend on 152 girls. Did they really need white duvet covers on the bed? No. looking at the work of others in the region it is excessive. I applaud Oprah for at least keeping her word and building the school. However, she needs to work out her childhood issues in a far more productive way. Hopefully on her next project she will talk to the community and see what they need. This is a better way to impact a community not force your will upon it.


- Ramona Muhammad
Posted 05/31/07 08:38 AM
 

Pick a color any color,I don’t care.I want to know ,why not in America first?


- alice
Posted 05/12/07 11:30 PM
 

It’s sad that even in times like these you still have individuals that feel that everything should be given to them, that they are the only ones that exist. Regardless to whether the children were black or white should not be an issue. If the children were all white would you feel better. If that makes you feel better then maybe you need to stop and reevaluate your way of thinking. Are you (those that feel that Oprah should have given it to a white foundation)or have you donated or contributed anything to any white cause. It’s terrible that everything has to be made into a black or white issue. It’s not enough that most of the people that she’s helping on her shows are white, you all want it all. I think that’s just selfish. Let someone else get a little attention for awhile be it Hispanics, Africans, Asians, or whomever. Be thankful for what she has contributed.


- Linda D.
Posted 05/06/07 01:28 PM
 

I am a senior in high school and I am doing a speech on Oprah new leadership school. There are so many opinions out there, but here is mine. Yes 40 million is alot of money to spend on a school when so many people are in need, but all we can do is thank GOD that she is spending it on somthing that could actually change the world, for the better and not on a new house for herself and not on another club somewhere. Sure our country needs help but that dosent mean leave out every other human. God created us all equal. Thank you to anyone who put their time and effort into making a difference in someones life.


- Amber
Posted 04/29/07 12:45 PM
 

Good site. Thanks!


- rivini
Posted 04/07/07 05:36 AM
 

Actually, kathy, I do put my money where my mouth is. Oprah donated around 10% of her yearly income. I donate more than 10% of my yearly income. Women need to stop flocking to her like sheep. There are greater, more influential women out there that need to be admired. Don’t get me wrong, Oprah should be admired for her rise to fame, but she shouldn’t be placed on a pedestal above everyone else. She is human, just like every human on earth.


- Anonymous
Posted 03/14/07 07:22 PM
 

oprah is the queen. i am proud that she went back to her african roots to help out. these young girls had no future as you could see. anyone who is critical of oprah should put their money where there mouth is. what are they doing to help? best to you oprah. you are the BEST and a great example to the world. ps, i am white.


- kathy
Posted 03/14/07 03:41 PM
 

Oprah should have built more less-expensive schools to benefit more children. Why build one 40 million dollar school to benefit a few hundred kids when she could have built many many many more schools to benefit many many many more kids?


- Anonymous
Posted 03/14/07 01:37 PM

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