2011
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
1999
1998
1997
1996
- The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences--Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award/Honorary Academy Award
- National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences--Crystal Pillar Award
- Time Magazine--100 Most Influential People in the World. She is the only person to have been included in all eight of TIME'S 100 Most Influential People in World lists, from 2004-2011.
- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts--Kennedy Center Honors
- The Women's Conference (California)--Minerva Award
2007
- The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity--2007 Humanitarian Award
2006
- The New York Public Library--Library Lion 2006
2005
- National Civil Rights Museum--2005 National Freedom Award
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People--Hall of Fame
- International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences--2005 International Emmy Founders Award
2004
- United Nations Association of the United States of America--Global Humanitarian Action Award
- National Association of Broadcasters--Distinguished Service Award
2003
- Association of American Publishers--AAP Honors Award
2002
- 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards®--Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
- Broadcasting & Cable--Hall of Fame
1999
- National Book Foundation--50th Anniversary Gold Medal
1998
- National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences®--Lifetime Achievement Award
- Time Magazine--100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century
1997
- Newsweek—Most Important Person in Books and Media
- TV Guide—Television Performer of the Year
1996
- International Radio & Television Society Foundation--Gold Medal Award
- George Foster Peabody Awards--1995 Individual Achievement Award