Oprah Winfrey held back tears in a televised emotional farewell on Friday – as she confirmed she’s quitting her U.S. talk show. Winfrey told her studio audience she will end The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2011, when its 25th season draws to a close.

The talk show queen said “prayer and careful thought” led her to her decision.

She continued, explaining, “I love this show … this show has been my life and i love it enough to know when it’s time to say goodbye. Twenty five years feels right in my bones and my spirit. It’s the perfect number, the exact right time.”

Oprah, who is the richest women in entertainment with US$1.5 billion to her name, will no doubt have something up her sleeves, she pockets an estimated US$225 million annually and has already established her own network, called Own: The Oprah Winfrey Network. A talkshow on her own network would just mean she wouldn’t have had to share a single cent of revenue with the network. I can just envisage someone getting richer.

Twit Reactions
Some celebrities, reacting to Oprah’s announcement:

Kevin Nealon:
“Don’t you quit me, Oprah! You’re not gonna like the real world. It’s cold out here!”

Nicky Hilton:
“Hard to believe that Oprah is pulling the plug on America’s favorite daytime show ”

Kim Kardashian:
“Wait Oprah is stopping the Oprah Winfrey show in 2011! What am I ever going 2 do with my life!!!!!!”