Oprah Winfrey turns 71 as Gayle King and Ava DuVernay lead Hollywood pals in celebrating talk show host

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Oprah Winfrey has turned 71! The iconic talk show host celebrated her birthday on Wednesday, January 29, reflecting on her upbringing and sharing her beliefs about life, referring to herself as 'God's child'.

Winfrey also spoke about her new book, a collection of love letters from friends that she described as her 'new favorite book,' compiled by her close friend of 49 years Maria Shriver.

To make her milestone day even more special, Winfrey shared heartfelt birthday wishes from her loved ones, including Kerry Washington, Ava DuVernay, Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete, Nicole Mangrum, Thando Dlomo, Gayle King, and Maria Shriver on her Instagram stories.

Oprah Winfrey drafts a lengthy message of gratitude on her 71st birthday

Oprah Winfrey rejoiced on her 71st birthday with her 22.5 million Instagram followers. In a carousel post featuring two images of herself, she shared a heartfelt caption reflecting on her journey. 

She began by expressing gratitude for reaching this milestone, saying, "So grateful to celebrate another trip around the sun for me—the 71st! 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."

Winfrey reflected on the wisdom passed down from her grandmother, sharing, "She taught me I was God’s child. 'All things are possible,' she would tell me and I believed her."

She then looked back on her early years, noting, "Those early years in rural Mississippi didn’t seem so miraculous at the time. Now I know, every breath, every choice defines the greater outcome."

The 71-year-old talk show host shared her childhood passions, saying, "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."

She added, "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."

Winfrey also gave a special mention to a gift she received, calling it her "new favorite book." She shared, "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."

Concluding the post, she acknowledged her love language, saying, "Thank you all for your kind birthday words of affirmation today, I feel them all. It’s my love language."

Oprah Winfrey’s Hollywood pals share birthday wishes for talk show host

Oprah Winfrey celebrated her 71st birthday surrounded by love and well wishes from her beloved friends.

Through her Instagram stories, Winfrey shared heartfelt messages from those closest to her. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay sent a sweet tribute, writing, "Blessed and Beautiful birthday to this light in the world. Happy 71st dearest @Oprah."

The next story featured actress Kerry Washington, who posted, "Happy Birthday to the Queen. Love you so much @oprah."

Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete also joined in, sharing a group picture with Michelle and Barack Obama, captioned, "One of my favorite pics!🙏🏽 #2007 Happy birthday @oprah!! We hope you have an amazing day full of love and serenity! 💜🎊🎂 #happybirthdayoprah #waybackwednesday."

Winfrey then posted a birthday message from her hairstylist, who wrote, "Happy birthday my dearest @oprah."

Emmy Award-winning producer Thando Dlomo added, "Happy 71st birthday. You're an indelible addition to our lives."

Winfrey's longtime friend, Gayle King, shared a carousel post with a caption that read, "I asked @oprah how she wanted to spend this day she said with a good book …. Under her favorite tree …. But IF you run into her out in “da” streets say happy birthday Oprah ! One of the best humans on the planet!"

The final story featured a heartfelt message from Winfrey's friend of 49 years, Maria Shriver, who shared her new favorite book.

Shriver wrote, "Happy Birthday, @oprah! This made me cry! To have a cherished friend for 49 years, that makes you laugh, holds you when you cry, supports you thru it all… well that is indeed a gift. I loved making this book and everyone in it loved writing a love letter to their friend, Oprah! Happy birthday, sweet friend! You are indeed a child of god. May we all walk like you in love and light!"