'Next-Level Donation Amount' US Oprah Winfrey Donates 12.2 Billion KRW for COVID-19 Relief Fund

American broadcaster Oprah Winfrey / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] American broadcaster Oprah Winfrey has donated $10 million (approximately 12.2 billion KRW) in relief funds for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to the US 'CBS News' on the 2nd (local time), Winfrey stated, "I will donate a total of $10 million to the American cities and regions where I grew up."

In a post on her Twitter account that day, Winfrey explained, "The donation includes $1 million (approximately 1.2 billion KRW) contributed to America's Food Fund," adding, "I was moved by the people working at the organization and know there are many ways to help them."

She added, "I believe America's Food Fund will be a way to help our neighbors who are facing food shortages."

Winfrey also explained the importance of relief funds on the Apple TV+ talk show 'Oprah talks COVID-19' aired that day.

In the broadcast, she emphasized, "I still remember when I lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with my mother, receiving welfare benefits," and said, "In times like now when more neighbors have become vulnerable, we must help them survive."

Winfrey donated $1 million to America's Food Fund, jointly established by actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Laurene Powell Jobs, and the remaining $9 million will be used for COVID-19 relief efforts across the United States.

Meanwhile, according to the US Department of Labor, the number of people who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and applied for unemployment benefits last week exceeded 6.6 million, marking a record high.