Oprah Winfrey, renowned as America’s and the world’s wealthiest Black woman, has secured a top spot among the billionaires who collectively own approximately 11 percent of Hawaii’s private land.
Joining the likes of Larry Ellison, Mark Zuckerberg, and Tadashi Yanai, Winfrey holds a noteworthy 2,130 acres, making her one of the top owners of private land in the island state of the United States.
Forbes, after an exhaustive analysis of property records on Hawaii’s six largest islands, disclosed that 37 billionaires possess a total of at least 218,000 acres, representing 5.3 percent of the state’s total land and 11.1 percent of all non-government-owned land. The figure is anticipated to be even higher, considering the lengths billionaires go to obscure their ownership.
Winfrey’s vast holdings: 2,130 acres of rolling hills, cattle grazing, and sustainable bed-and-breakfast operation
Winfrey emerges as a significant landowner, boasting 2,130 acres on the island. Her holdings encompass hilly pastures adorned with ancient stone walls, grazing cattle, a bed-and-breakfast operation, and an organic farm.
Committed to conservation, Winfrey intends to keep the land vacant, planting native species to aid in restoring the lost watershed. Her property manager, Bob Greene, emphasizes, “She just wants to protect it forever.”
Last August, wildfires ravaged through Maui, incinerating 6,625 acres. Remarkably, Winfrey’s land remained unscathed. In the aftermath, she spearheaded relief efforts, establishing the People’s Fund of Maui alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, personally contributing $10 million. The fund aims to provide financial relief to residents in the Lahaina and Kula regions.
Media ventures and real estate holdings elevate Winfrey’s wealth by $300 million
On the wealth front, Winfrey’s fortune has increased by $300 million in the past year, solidifying her position among the world’s most affluent Black billionaires. This increase is attributed to the revaluation of her diverse portfolio, including investments in the media and entertainment industry, and extensive real estate holdings.
Winfrey’s remarkable journey from a talk show host to a billionaire media mogul serves as an inspiration to many, particularly those from marginalized communities. Her enduring impact on the media industry and diverse investments continue to cement her status as a powerful and influential figure globally.
Beyond Harpo Productions, Winfrey holds a 25.5-percent stake in the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), established in 2011. Additionally, she owns a seven-percent stake in Weight Watchers, a global company valued at $630 million, specializing in weight loss and maintenance services. Her influence extends far beyond business, impacting both media and philanthropy, making Winfrey an enduring force in the global landscape.
