Oprah Winfrey is adding another job to her résumé. The latest announcement came on Tuesday, January 31 that Oprah will become a special contributor for "60 minutes" this fall. Executive producer Jeff Fager made the announcement that CBS is happy that Oprah is joining the Sunday night news broadcast. Fager says he is looking forward to having the 63-year-old television personality bring her powerful and unique voice to "60 Minutes."
Oprah's upcoming gigs
Earlier this week, it was announced that Oprah was getting into the ready-to-eat food business.
She is already a spokesperson for Weight Watchers. In the last couple of weeks, it was revealed that Oprah and Tyler Perry are teaming up to produce and lend their voices to an animated Christmas film to be released in December.
The broadcaster, producer, actress, spokesperson, owner of a network, and philanthropist said she is looking forward to joining "60 Minutes." She considers it an honor to be a special contributor for the news series she has been an admirer of since she was a young reporter.
Winfrey's background
Winfrey's background has prepared her for the "60 Minutes" assignment. She hosted her own successful talk show for 25 years. “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was the highest-rated television program of its kind in history.
Winfrey founded her own production company, Harpo Productions. Through that company she helped other syndicated programs get their start. “Dr. Phil,” “The Dr. Oz Show,” and “Rachael Ray” are successful today because of Oprah's initial leadership.
In addition to Oprah being successful in television, she is also an active philanthropist.
For example, she donated more than $20 million to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture. Also, she contributed more than $100 million to open the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa that is now in its 10th year. In 2013, President Barack Obama awarded Oprah the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her service to the country.
Do you already watch CBS' "60 Minutes"? Do you think more people will watch it once Oprah Winfrey becomes a special contributor?
