Oprah Winfrey is celebrating another trip around the sun.
The legendary talk show host and Oscar-nominated actress celebrated her 71st birthday on Wednesday, Jan. 29. To commemorate her special day, Winfrey took to Instagram and reflected on her amazing journey.
“So grateful to celebrate another trip around the sun for me—the 71st!” her caption read. “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. Now I know, every breath, every choice defines the greater outcome,” Winfrey continued. “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 also spoke about how every experience in her life has been a blessing.
“That we get to be human and have a chance every day to grow better is a miracle. I never imagined seeing 71, Winfrey said. “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 calligraphed 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.”
Many showed up in the comments to celebrate with The Oprah Winfrey Show creator.
Kerry Washington wrote: “Happy Birthday to the QUEEN . Love you so much @oprah ♥️♥️♥️.”
In her Instagram stories, Ava DuVernay paid tribute to her friend and collaborator.
“Blessed and beautiful birthday to this light in the world. Happy 71st, dearest @oprah!”
Although she is 71, Oprah is not slowing down. Recently, she launched The Oprah Podcast. The new weekly series features compelling conversations on a range of topics such as happiness, resilience, consciousness, and connection.
Connecting with people about what matters to us in this moment, so we can all continue to reach our highest, truest potential, is what I’m most interested in offering at this time in my life,” Winfrey shared.