Yahoo Lifestyle Oprah Winfrey Celebrates Her 71st Birthday Reflecting on Her Childhood: 'Every Choice Defines the Greater Outcome'
"That we get to be human and have a chance every day to grow better is a miracle," Winfrey wrote in a post about her birthday
Michael Kovac/Getty
Oprah Winfrey poses backstage during the 35th GLAAD Media Awards - Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton on March 14, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.It’s Oprah Winfrey’s birthday!
The iconic talk show host celebrated her 71st birthday on Wednesday, Jan. 29, with a lengthy Instagram post. Reflecting on her upbringing, Winfrey encouraged her followers to appreciate all the things life has to offer.
“So grateful to celebrate another trip around the sun for me—the 71st!” she captioned the post. “It all started by two people, my father Vernon and mother Vernita. My first 6 years of life, I was raised by my grandmother who gave me my life’s greatest gift. She taught me I was God’s child. ‘All things are possible,’ she would tell me and I believed her.”
“Those early years in rural Mississippi didn’t seem so miraculous at the time,” she continued. “Now I know, every breath, every choice defines the greater outcome. And I grew up loving trees and big skirts and books. I much later realized you don’t become what you want, not even your greatest desires. You become what you Believe.”
Related: 71 of Oprah's Favorite Things to Celebrate Her 71st Birthday
“That we get to be human and have a chance every day to grow better is a miracle. I never imagined seeing 71. So today I’m giving all praises to my miraculous time here on earth as God’s child. And feeling blessed by this wonderful book of love letters from friends created by my only other friend of 49 years @mariashriver. She collected all the letters and had them caligraphied and leather bound. My new favorite book to savor and cherish forever.”
She concluded: “Thank you all for your kind birthday words of affirmation today, I feel them all. It’s my love language.”
Related: Oprah Winfrey Shares Sweet BTS Video from BFF Gayle King’s 70th Birthday Celebration
Along with the message, Winfrey shared photos of her reading the book of notes from loved ones that her longtime friend Maria Shriver gifted her. She smiled for the camera as she relaxed on the couch with her feet up in the first photo, followed by another snap of her laughing.
Her friends also took to Instagram to honor her, with Kerry Washington posting a photo of them with a confetti effect over it.
Oprah/Instagram
Oprah Winfrey is pictured laughing on her 71st birthday.“Happy Birthday to the QUEEN 👑. Love you so much @oprah ♥️♥️♥️,” she wrote over the screen.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete posted for Winfrey as well, sharing a group photo of them with Barack and Michelle Obama.
“One of my favorite pics!🙏🏽 #2007,” Robinson Peete said. “Happy birthday @oprah!! We hope you have an amazing day full of love and serenity! 💜🎊🎂 #happybirthdayoprah #waybackwednesday”
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay also took to her Instagram Stories to pay tribute to Winfrey, writing: “Blessed and beautiful birthday to this light in the world. Happy 71st, dearest @oprah!”
Read the original article on People
