Oprah Winfrey has been dubbed the “Queen of All Media,” and the film industry is no exception: not only is she the founder of her own production company, Harpo Studios, but the former talk show host has produced and starred in critically acclaimed hits like “The Color Purple,” “The Butler” and “Selma,” scoring two Oscar nominations within the past four decades.
Over the years, Winfrey has also been a presenter at the star-studded ceremony, and now she plans to reprise those duties at Sunday’s show. In honor of her upcoming appearance, a complete timeline of her Oscars looks.
1986
Oprah Winfrey at the 1986 Oscars.
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Winfrey attended her first Oscars in 1986, where she wore a white satin gown with gold beading. She starred in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of “The Color Purple,” for which she was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
1987
Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham at the 1987 Oscars.
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Winfrey’s look at the 59th annual ceremony embodied ’80s excess: her black dress featured sheer panels and crystal embellishments, coordinating with a pair of statement earrings. Voluminous hair and full glam, including a bold red lip and purple eye shadow — also characteristic of the decade — completed her look.
That year, Winfrey presented the award for Best Documentary Feature, which went to “The Ten-Year Lunch: The Wit and Legend of the Algonquin Round Table.”
1995
Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey at the 1995 Oscars.
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At the 1995 Oscars, Winfrey presented the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to her friend, music producer and composer Quincy Jones. The media mogul opted for a brown gown with a collared bodice and a floor-length tulle train. She accessorized with a set of diamond jewelry.
1997
Oprah Winfrey at the 1997 Oscars.
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Winfrey suited up at the 1997 ceremony, wearing a black double-breasted jacket with crystallized buttons and sparkling stripes. She also added a diamond necklace and layered bracelets.
2004
Oprah Winfrey at the 2004 Oscars.
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In 2004, Winfrey went off-the-shoulder in a blue-gray Gianfranco Ferré gown. Featuring a wrap silhouette, cuffed sleeves, a pleated underskirt and a satin-lined train, she wore it to present the award for Best Picture to “Mystic River.”
2005
Oprah Winfrey at the 2005 Oscars.
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Winfrey made a glittering entrance at the 2005 ceremony in a custom gold Vera Wang design. Her tiered tulle frock included a gathered bodice embroidered with metallic thread. Matching accessories, including a clutch, bracelet and open-toe heels, completed her look.
2010
Oprah Winfrey at the 2010 Oscars.
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Winfrey wore another wrap silhouette at the 2010 Oscars, selecting a navy design with a black bow at the waistline. Winfrey, Sean Penn, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Sheen, Stanley Tucci and Forest Whitaker introduced the nominees for Best Actress.
2011
Oprah Winfrey at the 2011 Oscars.
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In 2011, Winfrey sparkled in a black off-the-shoulder design by Zac Posen, which featured a silver sequined skirt. She returned as a presenter, introducing the nominees for Best Documentary Feature and revealing the winner: “Undefeated.”
“I wanted a dress that was beautiful, but that wasn’t saying ‘Hey, look at me, look at me, look at me,’” Winfrey said in a behind the scenes video filmed during her fitting.
2015
Oprah Winfrey at the 2015 Oscars.
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At the 2015 ceremony, Winfrey donned a draped blush dress by one of her favorite designers, Wang. The bestselling author starred in and produced “Selma,” which took home Best Original Song for Common’s “Glory.” The Martin Luther King Jr. biopic also picked up a nomination for Best Picture, making Winfrey the first Black woman to be nominated in the category.
