In May 2013 Oprah conducted an interview with Angelou. In a preamble, she wrote, “Over the years, she has taught me some of the most profound lessons of my life: that when we know better, we do better; that to love someone is to liberate, not possess, them; that negative words have the power to seep into the furniture and into our skin; that we should be grateful even for our trials.”

Angelou truly inspired, challenged, and guided Oprah through all these years. And she tries really hard to pay that back, serving as a source of inspiration for so many others.