Oprah Winfrey has revealed that having surgery on both of her knees is “the best thing” she has ever done after being overweight left her “weakened to the point where it was difficult to walk down even two stairs”.
In an exclusive interview with Today host Al Roker, the talk show host explained that her doctor told her she had to get the surgeries done if she wanted to “keep walking,” but admitted she felt intimidated by the whole thing.
Oprah, 70, who cried while discussing her weight loss journey in a recent podcast interview, said that as she gets older, she feels “a sense of urgency to live well” and stressed that “it’s all about” her health.
‘A couple of years ago, in 2021, I had knee surgery and I was getting weaker and weaker, to the point where I was having trouble even going down two steps to get into the car. And when I finally went to the doctor on my knees, I said, “I don’t know, is it time yet?” and he said, “It’s time if you want to keep walking, do you like walking? Then it’s time, it’s time,” she told Al.
“I’d never had surgery before or it was intimidating. The best thing I’ve ever done in my life is feel like I had a new chance to live inside my body in a way I hadn’t been able to do for years because of being overweight, which made my knees even worse.”
Oprah Winfrey has revealed that having surgery on both knees is “the best thing” she has ever done
During an interview with Today host Al Roker, Oprah admitted that being overweight left her “weak.”
The broadcasting legend, who last year admitted to using weight loss drugs, said she was “excited” to turn 70 in January because she never thought she would reach that age.
“I remember many, many years ago when I was a little girl, I always thought I would never make it to 60 or 70. I had a number in my head that said, ‘Well, I’ll be out by then,'” she admitted.
When Al asked why, Oprah explained: ““I think I had a vision of that when I was a little girl, and I think it’s because, under the circumstances I was living in as a child in Milwaukee, on welfare with my mother, and what I know now, if I had stayed in those circumstances, I probably wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be here healthy and strong and full of energy.”
Al then asked the TV star if her “concept of gratitude” was deeper now, to which she replied, “I wouldn’t say it’s deeper, Al, because I’ve been doing it for so long. I would say there’s a sense of knowing that there’s not that much time left, and I’m at peace with that knowledge.”
“My great gift is being able to live in the present moment. I think that’s what gives me the most joy, because no matter what happens in your life, you can compartmentalize and be here and now. I don’t worry, I’ll worry about things when they arise,” she added.
Al, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Tuesday, also quizzed Oprah on whether or not he felt he had done his part on Earth.
“I feel like this continues,” she admitted. “I think this continues until the last breath and I think ultimately there is no greater offering than your love.”
‘And it doesn’t matter if you were giving that love through your streaming audience, you’re able to speak to millions of people or you’re just speaking to one, people may forget what you did or what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.
Oprah, pictured here in 1992, previously revealed that when she weighed 237 pounds (107.5 kg)
The talk show host, pictured here in March 2024, admitted she felt “a sense of urgency to live well” as she aged.
Al underwent bariatric surgery in 2002 after his weight reached 300 pounds and underwent knee replacement surgery in 2023.
“That feeling you leave in every person you meet becomes your legacy,” he added, before urging Al not to be “afraid” of entering a new decade.
Don’t be afraid, Al. Everything is going to be okay, everything is going to be okay. And you know why? Because you’ve already overcome some of the biggest challenges. I mean, you can tell us what it’s like to come close to failing and what it means to have the most vital part of your life, which is your health, in order.
“The amazing thing is that your heart has been pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping for you for 69 whole years, almost getting you to 70, and it’s been doing it right on time! Just for you!” she said excitedly before high-fiving Al.
Al was off the air for two months starting in late 2022 after being hospitalized for blood clots in his lungs and legs.
And in May 2023, he underwent his third knee replacement surgery.
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