The resurgence of Oprah Winfrey’s 1998 Vogue cover photos has reignited conversations about her ongoing struggles with weight management and personal health.
Oprah Winfrey’s past and present weight journey has become a focal point of media attention, especially following the resurgence of vintage photos from her 1998 Vogue Magazine cover. This nostalgia was sparked on February 17, when the Instagram account Urban Throwback shared images from Winfrey’s iconic spread, leading to widespread discussion about her appearance and body image.
The Vogue cover, titled “Oprah! A Major Movie, An Amazing Makeover,” showcased a younger Winfrey, then 45 years old, in a glamorous light. The photograph, captured by renowned photographer Steven Meisel, featured Winfrey in a fitted black gown and styled with voluminous soft curls, exhibiting a figure that many noted was notably slimmer than in her more recent appearances. The images revealed Winfrey styled in luxury brands including Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino, contributing to the perception of her looking particularly glamorous.
Alongside the striking photos, Winfrey reflected on her weight challenges during an accompanying interview for the original feature, recalling a moment on “The Tonight Show” in 1985 with Joan Rivers. Rivers candidly suggested Winfrey lose weight for her role in “The Color Purple,” even proposing a bet on weight loss. “You gotta lose the weight!” Rivers said on camera, prompting Winfrey to participate in a weight-loss program. However, she later recalled that the film’s casting director warned her that any weight loss could jeopardize her opportunity for the role, leading her to stop at a Dairy Queen.
The revival of these photos has prompted fans to express their astonishment on social media. One user noted the resemblance of Winfrey’s figure to that of rapper Megan Thee Stallion, while others described her return to the public eye in comparison to current celebrity trends.
Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, also weighed in on Winfrey’s cover shoot during a recent interview segment, saying she had suggested that Winfrey lose some weight for the issue, a suggestion characterized by her as having been gentle. Winfrey lost approximately 20 pounds prior to the 1998 shoot but has continuously grappled with weight fluctuations throughout her career, detailing her struggles in various media appearances.
Winfrey’s journey with weight management is complex. In 1988, she undertook a liquid diet resulting in a dramatic 67-pound loss over five months, yet she later revealed that upon returning to solid foods, she began regaining weight almost immediately. By 1992, she was at her heaviest, weighing 237 pounds.
In 2009, she shared her weight management journey with the public on the cover of her magazine, revealing her weight fluctuations and health challenges over the years. Her involvement with Weight Watchers began in 2015, motivated by a pre-diabetes diagnosis. Recent updates indicate that she has adopted a weight-loss drug known as a GLP-1 agonist to assist with her weight management, as disclosed in an interview with People magazine in December 2023.
Winfrey’s comments regarding her use of the medication noted its effectiveness in curbing her appetite during high-caloric periods, such as Thanksgiving, which in turn limited her weight gain to a minimal amount.
The resurfacing of Winfrey’s vintage Vogue cover has not only ignited discussions about beauty standards and body image in the industry but has also highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by public figures regarding weight management and personal health.
Source: Noah Wire Services
