Friday, 3rd July 2009 - 11:12CET

Oprah takes her time to start Malta tour

Video: Mark Zammit Cordina.

American talk show diva Oprah Winfrey is in Malta for a day's visit, having arrived this morning on the Norwegian Gem cruise liner. She disembarked from the ship at about 11 a.m. some four hours after the cruise ship berthed in Grand Harbour. She was whisked away in one of two waiting vans. Security officials kept journalists some distance away and tried to shield the TV personality from photographers, but Oprah shouted a "Hi".

She is accompanied by her staff and their families whom she is treating to an all-expenses paid holiday. Their 10-day Mediterranean cruise started in Barcelona and includes stops in Italy, Turkey and Greece.

Oprah is believed to be paying over €583,000 in accommodation fees for her staff members and their families, according to The Daily Mail.

She is well known for her self-titled, multi-award winning talk show, where she employs over 100 people.

Her Chicago-based television production has catapulted her into fame and riches. In fact, Forbes lists her as the highest paid celebrity in the world and the second most powerful after Beyonce Knowels.

She has a personal fortune estimated at over €1.7 billion and her annual income tops €233 million.

Four years ago she took her staff on a trip to Hawaii.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Saturday, November 7, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

C.A. Miller (on 5/7/09)

I am not a fan of the Oprah Winfrey Show, but anyone labeling it trash TV has probably never watched it - you are thinking of Jerry Springer! Oprah's show is the highest rated and longest running in the US drawing millions of viewers every day. She is just an overrated TV personality taking her staff on a cruise, that's all - it's really not a big deal.

Nigel Lawrence (on 5/7/09)

@Joe Fenech

Bravo, Joe.

Joe Fenech (on 5/7/09)

Joe Grima :

I don't know if you're the ex-minister (that would make things even worse) - I can assure you that only A CERTAIN KIND OF PEOPLE (which I'm not part of) appreciate trash TV (modern equivalent of freak shows) stars like Oprah!

Joe Fenech (on 5/7/09)

Fleur Hili:

I don't give a toss what the Americans says. However good roads and road safety is not a SUPERFICIAL issue as you say!

Who care about Oprah and her trash programmes???!!!!! We already have our local Xarabank!

Fleur Hili (on 5/7/09)

*Nigel Lawrence* Yes I bet she would be broadcasting it on her show.

I also think she will be saying what a bunch of idiots Malta has for citizens for noticing something superficial like roads when we have such magnificent history that the "Yanks" as you put it will be so Jealous of.

I also think that she might notice that unlike the "Yanks" we do not have the crime rate the "Yanks " are famous for.

She will also notice that we do not have people dying in our streets since in Malta you do not need to have insurance to get medical care.

Your attitude is disgusting how you put down your country!

J.Bonnici (on 5/7/09)

There are two things that struck me in this clip:
1. She did not opt for a luxurious taxi but took the van like the rest of her staff.
2. She waved and waved until she couldn't see the cameraman. I think she is a genuinely warm person.

Joe Fenech (on 4/7/09)

OK, let's hail the queen of trash TV!

D. Cachia (on 4/7/09)

Good job to Marion Debono for coming up with the only sensible answer. Some people idolise money and people with money, and they have made it all too clear in their comments here. Oprah must be thankful to God that people like this exist. While they're busy fawning over her, she's laughing all the way to the bank!

It's 2009. You people should really try and get rid of the peasant mentality.

Nigel Lawrence (on 4/7/09)

When she goes back home she can have a good laugh when telling the Yanks about our famous roads. How embarrassing.

C.A. Miller (on 4/7/09)

Oprah Winfrey has a formidable track record of bringing instant success to products and businesses she endorses. Even a short endorsement of Malta on her show could be very beneficial to the Maltese tourism industry .... unless of course Malta doesn't need it.

Marion Debono(student)@@@ (on 3/7/09)

Yes many thanks Ms.Kathy Jones i knew that, i just wanted to try a little experiment and see how long it would take for a layman to come up with an obvious answer, i was right all along. Actually i am in my 2nd year reading psychology as a subject and i see that the same person sent the same feed back twice, very interesting, still i thank this guy who proved my little experiment and theory correct . Have a nice day all............................................. End of lesson.

steve elliott,uk (on 3/7/09)

You see, when someone like Oprah Winfrey arrives in town worth an estimated €1.7 billion and not wearing a mask unlike her dearly departed friend used to do you no there is no to panic over swine flue

Mrs. Kathy Jones (on 3/7/09)

Yes Marion you tell them girl, some think they know it all and come up with a ridiculous feedback like >Jelous> a very basic answer i guess then the obvious, well you fed them some bait and they came up with a silly answer a very clever STUDENT i say.

Joe Grima (on 3/7/09)

@Marion Debono. Sorry Marion , I do not lke your attitude. As you will grow older you will realise that respect and recognition in this world most times have little to do with money. They have everything to do with achievement, That is what Oprah is respected for, not for her material worth, of which you are obviously so.... so..... so...... jealous.

Marion Debono(student)@@@ (on 3/7/09)

Thanks for your reply Dominic, yes of course i am jealous wouldn't you be? if you were filthy rich like this tv celb. Yes yes and Yes wish that was me throwing money about like peanuts then people will have to bow down to me and call me madam>

Joe Grima (on 3/7/09)

Oprah is the greatest talk show hostess in the world. Her empire is worth billions. She was an underprivileged child who grew up with sexual and other abuse to become a world leader in broadcasting. In every sense of the word she is an admirable woman, a role model for young people who enter this world with nothing in their pocket but with a great deal of determination to make it in an unjust and uneven world. I suggest to Marion Debono to read up Oprah Winfrey and to learn from Oprah's difficult life how to face the world that awaits her.

Jeremy J Camilleri (on 3/7/09)

Is she even famous in Malta?

Denis Catania (on 3/7/09)

Marion Debono you still have a lot to learn, STUDENT.

Dominic Camilleri (on 3/7/09)

Marion Debono, Grow up, you are nothing but Jelious..

Marion Debono(student) (on 3/7/09)

I don't think she is any different then any other visitor except that she is a tv personality and have plenty of cash to throw about,, if i were in the same position i too will be dishing it about to charities and others around me just like Elvis, Jacko and Madonna, so really its money talking and nothing else, ofcourse had that been the Pope then i say yes by all means, but she is just a celebrity and nothing else. Goodbye and have a nice stay.

JOHN ATTARD (on 3/7/09)

It is great publicity for Malta when someone like Oprah visit our beautifull island , so I can see the fuss with the media.
Now I ask, will there be the same treatment when We arrive with a cruise in a week,s time.?
I am really looking forward to enter our MAGNIFICENT HARBOUR and shout::
VIVA MALTA TAGHANA..

Stephen Farrugia (on 3/7/09)

I'd die to be one of her stuff... even if I don't get paid...she's a prophet of love...thats what she is!

R Grima (on 3/7/09)

Yes saw her dining at Naxxar's Palazzo Parisio today..She said she was enjoying Malta..might even come back.

Charles Micallef (on 3/7/09)

An example to some Maltese employers, that loyal employees should be carried along from cradle to the grave, sorry I forgot this is Malta, we carry some loyal employees only to their grave!

Elaine Compagno (on 3/7/09)

Dear Oprah,

Can I work for you? :D I make some real good coffee. Well, not really.. but willing to learn.

Regards,

Elaine.

enzo gusman (on 3/7/09)

A very warm welcome to Ms. Winfrey and thanks for including Malta in your cruise along with your staff.......May you have a wonderful stay in Malta. We feel honoured to have you here !!

Oprah takes her time to start Malta tour

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