She is the chat show queen, a respected philanthropist, self-made billionaire, and Bafta-nominated actress. Now Oprah Winfrey has marked another milestone - she has turned 60.

Born on 29 January, 1954, the Butler star comes from humble beginnings. After securing a full scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she studied communications, she got a job as a news reporter at the local black radio station, WVOL.

Although she made her TV debut in 1976 when she moved to Baltimore and hosted the chat show People Are Talking, it was The Oprah Winfrey Show, launched in 1986, that propelled her to superstardom.

Winfrey moved into the world of acting and won legions of fans playing Sofia in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple.

She is the publisher of the Oprah Magazine, owner of Oprah Radio, launched her own network called OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and is also a producer.

According to Forbes, Winfrey is worth $2.9bn (£1.7bn), making her America's only African-American billionaire and the second richest black woman in the world.

She previously dated American composer John Tesh and movie critic Roger Ebert but has been with Stedman Graham, 62, since 1986 - longer than most Hollywood marriages.

IBTimes UK takes a look back at the TV legend...

THAT'S LOVE

Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey has been dating Stedman Graham, 62, since 1986 - longer that most Hollywood marriages. Reuters

CHAT SHOW QUEEN

Lance Armstrong confirms doping to Oprah
She has interviewed royalty, politicians and celebrities. In 2013, Lance Armstrong admitted to doping to win each of his seven Tour de France titles in an exclusive interview with Winfrey. IBTimes UK

MEDIA MOGUL

British entrepreneur Richard Branson (R) and U.S. TV host Oprah Winfrey (C) attend the funeral ceremony for former South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu December 15, 2013. (Reuters picture)
The entrepreneur, pictured here with Virgin boss Richard Branson, is worth $2.9bn and is the second richest black woman in the world.

ACTRESS

The Butler
In 2012, Winfrey - whose acting credits include The Color Purple and Beloved - made her return to the silver screen after a 15-year hiatus in Lee Daniels' The Butler. Follow Through Productions

PHILANTHROPIST

Oprah Winfrey and Graca Macel
In 2007 Winfrey opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Henley on Klip, south of Johannesburg Reuters
Oprah Winfrey
Since 1989, Winfrey has given $12m in scholarships to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia

ICON

Oprah Winfrey awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In November 2013 she was presented with the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama
Oprah Winfrey with the late Nelson Mandela
Oprah Winfrey with Nelson Mandela, who she described as her friend, mentor and inspiration Reuters
Oprah Winfrey accepts an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Marc Goodheart (R), Vice President and Secretary of the University following in the footsteps of Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Microsoft founder Bill Gates
Oprah accepts her honorary Doctor of Law degree from Marc Goodheart, vice-president and secretary of Harvard University, following in the footsteps of Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Microsoft founder Bill Gates Reuters