Oprah Winfrey and Partner Stedman Graham Attend 40th-Anniversary Celebration of Her Show at Chicagos Navy Pier
On Aug. 10, 2026, the air over Chicago’s Navy Pier was thick with nostalgia and excitement as Oprah Winfrey and her longtime partner Stedman Graham stepped onto the pier’s terrace for the first time together in nearly seven years. The duo attended the 40th‑anniversary celebration of The Oprah Winfrey Show, a milestone that marked four decades of the program’s influence on daytime television.
The ceremony unfolded at the Navy Pier restaurant Reunion, a venue owned by chef Art Smith. Smith, who has long been a friend of Harpo Studios, hosted the event and shared a video on Reunion’s Instagram that captured the couple sharing a platter of chicken wings. In the clip, Winfrey quipped, “Hey, Art’s fried chicken!” and the caption—written by Smith on the day—expressed gratitude for “the true Chicago legend” and highlighted the show’s legacy.
Harpo Studios, the production company founded by Winfrey, organized the gathering, inviting friends, family, and industry colleagues. The evening featured speeches from former guests, a retrospective of the show’s most memorable moments, and a showcase of Harpo Studios’ current projects. Though the full schedule remained undisclosed, the event was billed as a “special anniversary celebration” honoring the show’s impact on daytime television and its role in shaping cultural conversations.
Winfrey, 72, appeared in a pinstriped matching set and white sneakers, finishing the look with sunglasses. Graham, 75, wore a black suit, a white button‑down shirt, and dress shoes. Their relaxed yet polished outfits mirrored the familiar style audiences had seen on the show’s set.
The couple’s partnership began at a charity event in 1986, the same year The Oprah Winfrey Show premiered. They have remained together for more than four decades, choosing to keep their relationship private. In 1993, Graham proposed marriage, but Winfrey declined, explaining in a 2020 Op‑rah Daily article that she wanted to avoid the “sacrifices, compromises, and day‑in‑day‑out commitment” required for marriage. She has consistently stated that her career and the show’s mission remain her top priority.
During the celebration, Graham remarked, “I want the best for her,” echoing a sentiment he shared in a 2019 interview with The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Their presence underscored their continued support for the show’s legacy and Harpo Studios’ future endeavors.
The 40th anniversary of The Oprah Winfrey Show marks a milestone for a program that ran for 25 seasons from 1986 to 2011 and remains the highest‑rated daytime talk show in U.S. television history. The Navy Pier event served as a reminder of the show’s influence on media, philanthropy, and public discourse.
No additional public appearances have been announced for the couple following the event, and Harpo Studios has not released further details about future projects related to the anniversary celebration.
