Oprah Winfrey Says Her Dogs Helped Her Through Life’s Toughest Moments

For decades, Oprah Winfrey has created a public legacy focused on resilience, healing, and emotional honesty. In one of her most personal reflections, the media icon shared that some of her greatest life lessons came not from boardrooms or television studios. Instead, they come from the dogs who stood by her through heartbreak, pressure, and uncertainty.

In a recent exclusive interview with PEOPLE related to the release of the new series Life Is Better With Dogs, Winfrey said, “Dogs have always been the friend in my life when everything else around me was falling apart. It was the dog that allowed me to hold on.” She described them as a constant source of emotional support throughout her life.

This interview comes at a reflective time for Winfrey. Now 72, the billionaire philanthropist and cultural figure has increasingly talked about aging, wellness, gratitude, and emotional freedom in 2026. In recent discussions with Oprah Daily and NPR, she described this stage of life as one focused on “distillation,” growth, and learning to appreciate the present moment fully.

Her comments about dogs fit naturally into this larger story.

Winfrey has owned 21 dogs over the years. She spoke openly about the emotional support they offered during times of stress, loneliness, and public scrutiny. She highlighted her late golden retriever Luke as her “soul dog.” Winfrey credited him with deepening her spirituality and teaching her to slow down and be emotionally present.

The interview also revealed her vulnerability. Winfrey talked about taking care of her aging cocker spaniel, Sadie, now 17. She said this experience taught her not just “how to live well,” but also “how to die well.” These remarks showed a deeply human side of a woman often viewed through the lens of extraordinary success.

Winfrey’s reflections resonate beyond celebrity culture. Her words contribute to a broader conversation about grief, companionship, mental wellness. It also contributes to the healing role animals often play in people’s lives.

The timing is important, too. Through her partnership with The Farmer’s Dog and the launch of Life Is Better With Dogs, Winfrey highlights stories of emotional transformation between pets and their owners. These stories mirror her own experiences with love, loss, and perseverance.

For many readers, the takeaway is simple but powerful. This is that even one of the world’s most influential women found comfort in unconditional companionship when life became overwhelming.