Oprah Winfrey is one of the largest landowners on the island of Maui but if the wildfires currently ripping through the island reach her land it, too, could face destruction.
Wildfires erupted on Maui on Aug. 8. The fires were able to spread over the last few days as a result of dry conditions caused by drought and intense winds. The fire has burned thousands of homes and commercial properties and led to an estimated 93 fatalities. To date, this is the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii’s history and reportedly the deadliest U.S. fire in more than a century.
Winfrey has described the wildfires as “overwhelming,” according to Hello! magazine. However, she has been visiting people using the War Memorial Stadium as shelter, and purchasing items for people in need. In 2019, when wildfires spread throughout Maui, Winfrey, who purchased two properties in Maui in 2003, opened her private road, allowing residents to travel safely.
“I’m really pleased to have so many people supporting… bringing what they can and doing what they can,” she said.
Winfrey, who reportedly has a net worth of $3.5 billion, owns over 1,000 acres of land across the island. This past March, she purchased 873 acres of land for $6.6 million. Sources believe Winfrey has spent $60 million on her properties.
In particular, Winfrey’s ranch-style property, which has been featured prominently on her website and television show, could be harmed. Located in the Kula area, this property is her primary residence when she is in Maui.
Inside Winfrey’s Maui Estate
In 2003, Winfrey scooped up two properties in Maui, totaling 163 acres, for $5.3 million.
Winfrey’s favorite space on the property is the ranch-style home she renovated with the help of famed decorator Ellie Cullman. The main house is 4,300 square feet, including three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.
“I love, love, love my house,” Winfrey said on Oprah.com. “It’s a gem, so sweet and exquisite. Such a real, normal house. It feels like a blanket. A lovely and soft cashmere one.”
Cullman and Winfrey worked together to transform the space into a modern farmhouse. The renovation included an overhaul of the ensuite. The master bedroom is Winfrey’s favorite space in the residence. The ensuite features high ceilings and a sitting room. And if Winfrey wants to relax outside, she only has to take a few steps and open French doors to her wraparound terrace.
The kitchen was also heavily renovated. Winfrey’s kitchen embodies a mix of modernity and folk culture that includes vintage pendant lights and a range cooker. There’s also a patterned stencil on the wall that is similar to a quilt, reminiscent of her childhood in Tennessee.
“I grew up in a rural folk environment,” she said on her website. “I’m still rooted in things that have brought me comfort over the years.”
How is this a land grab since she bought it years ago?
she thinks she is privileged black girl.she is nothing to me.
My question is ” In 2019, when wildfires spread throughout Maui, Winfrey, who purchased two properties in Maui in 2003, opened her private road, allowing residents to travel safely”
Wth does that mean??? 2019 ?
Oprah has worked hard for what she has attained and will be an asset to the Maui Island when all is said and done. her purchase there could sell turn into a preserve to Maui indigenous people who you can’t help but admire their quiet friendly manners, I have long been an admirer of their stamina under the damaging affect of Christian missionaries throughout history.
Sorry I was in Lahaina and spoke to residents after the 2018 fire. Oprah did not open her gates for firefighters to get thru. That’s msm version not the truth! Oprah helps Oprah. Why isn’t she opening her land for people now.
Correct Oprah is all for Oprah and no one else. First time I seen her on tv I new this was a phony .
I wanna know why she needs all that land she’s just a woman she doesn’t need all that land. She is just being greedy because she has all that money go back to the mainland and buy your land there.
shame on our kamaainas for selling our precious land.
Lahaina and Maui did quite well for themselves for over a century without Oprah or Zuckerberg, and can do even better without them now. Their land grabs are shameful and if they are really and truly concerned about the people as they claim, they can each just donate $1,000,000 to every displaced family – no strings attached. This donation would not only be less than 1% of their total wealth but also be tax deductible. Don’t hold your breath, Oprah has a loooong history of only giving away other people’s money.