May 25, 2011: Oprah Signs Off
With a big assist from her very famous friends, the queen of daytime almost-ended her show with a two-part special taped at Chicago's United Center—because no mere studio could hold either all of that star power or the number of fans who wanted to say goodbye in person. While a respective 12.3 million and 13 million people tuned in on those two days, another 16.4 million caught her final, in-studio show.
June 24, 2011: That's Dr. Oprah to You
In light of all her good works in the country, South Africa's Free State University gave her an honorary doctorate.
Oct. 1, 2011: The Rosie Show Premieres
Rosie O'Donnell brought her Emmy-winning ways to OWN in what was meant to be a huge boon for the fledgling network. Alas, barely six months later, OWN pulled the plug, citing low ratings.
Nov. 13, 2011: Oscar Gold
The producer and star of Beloved and The Color Purple added "Academy Award winner" to her resume when she received an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards.
Dec. 5, 2011: Hobnobbing With the Stars
Oprah and pal Tyler Perry hosted a private screening of Red Tails, George Lucas' long-gestating passion project about World War II's Tuskegee Airmen. "Loved meeting you," Oprah later tweeted to castmember Ne-Yo.
Jan. 14, 2012: Oprah's Girls Graduate
Despite being shadowed by scandal and controversy a few years ago, 72 of the first 75 students to enroll at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Johannesburg graduated.
Jan. 1, 2012: Happy New Chapter
Oprah's Next Chapter, a weekly prime-time series featuring Queen O interviewing celebs and interesting civilians in non-traditional settings, premiered on OWN. Due to higher-than-usual-for-OWN ratings, the show started airing twice a week in February. (Memo to Oprah: Your fans miss you!)
January 2012: Nothing Sacred
Oprah's passage to India was not entirely peaceful. A neighbor sicced the police on a lavish party she was at because of loud music, and her security team brawled with local reporters during a visit to the sacred Hindu town of Uttar Pradesh.
Jan. 23, 2012: Join the Club
The talk-show host who put Tolstoy and Steinbeck on the bestseller lists with her book club suggestions attends the Jaipur Literature Festival.
January, 2012: Meeting the King of All Media-Haters
For a two-part special about Haiti, Oprah's Next Chapter toured the refugee camp set up by Sean Penn's foundation in earthquake-ravaged Port-au-Prince.
Feb. 29, 2012: Back to School
Oprah joined Lady Gaga at Harvard University for a discussion about the pop star's Born This Way Foundation for youth empowerment and education.
March 11, 2012: Oprah's Big Get
Proving that she's still got it, the erstwhile queen of daytime landed the first interview with Whitney Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, after the pop icon's death.
May 20, 2012: You Go, Girls
Oprah dons yet another academic robe for commencement at Spelman College in Atlanta.