With this one, we’re stepping out of the Harpo home. It was 2004 and Oprah found herself in an army base in Kentucky with none other than supermodel Cindy Crawford. Why? She was on a secret mission to throw the world’s biggest baby shower! Oprah, along with the supermodel, showered 640 pregnant women with gifts. They were treated with everything from strollers, to baby Uggs to digital cameras.
This was by far one of the most extravagant Oprah gifts ever, and of course, in the history of television. The 640 women were in hysterics, tearing up from joy and emotion from the moving Oprah giveaway.
The Car Comeback
After the first car saga, there was so much drama involved that Oprah waited another 7 years until she gave anyone a car. The year the new Beetle hit the headlines, Oprah knew this was her chance. In 2010 the TV queen gave her entire Harpo crowd a yet-to-be-released beautiful Beetle. Thankfully, this time the producers ironed out that nasty little crinkle of the $700 gift tax.
The crowd was ecstatic. Everyone loves a Beetle. Funky little cars for lovers of nostalgia. The Beetle had a strange time on the road. The revamped Beetle was kind of successful, but of course, they shot to the top the second they appeared on the show.
Superfans
In 2010, Oprah hooked two of Maria Carey’s biggest, most die-hard fans ever with front-row seats to her New York show. She announced this right on stage in front of a massive live audience sending the fans Will and Marcus into utter hysteria. One of them even passed out right on stage.
Oprah promised to fly them out to New York City, not only they would watch the show, but they would also get to meet their idol, Mariah herself. Not only that, but they were also personally invited to appear in her new music video. Could you get any better?
Paying It Forward
Stephen Paletta was just a regular guy who volunteered at the Atlanta Union Mission. Thanks to his time there, he made it as one of the contestants that appeared on Oprah’s Big Give reality show. The show invited a bunch of people to make a difference in the world by finding a cause they were passionate about and making their contribution. Paletta shared with Oprah just how moved he was during the time he volunteered at the Atlanta Union Mission.
Of course, there is nothing that Oprah loves more than a big giver who expects nothing in return. Which is why she gave him $1 million. $500,000 for the charity of his choice and $500,000 for himself. Oh, and a car. Looks like everybody won that day.
The Grand Giveaway
In this 2006 episode, themed “giving back”, Oprah stayed true to her philanthropic self and ended the show with a true statement. Instead of splurging on her guests and getting them random gifts, she decided to put the money to good use, but still not send home her guests empty-handed. Oprah sent each audience member home with $1000, a hand-held camera, and one small request.
On gifting her guests with this unexpected prize, she asked them to use the money to pay it forward. She challenged the audience to each come up with a creative way to help others. Gotta love her.