Oprah Leaving Her Show in September 2011

Oprah Winfrey, an icon for almost 25 years has said on her show taped today that she is leaving the daily talk show behind in September of 2011. She told her audience, according to People Magazine, "After much prayer and careful thought I decided that the next season...will be the last season."

A cultural icon, Winfrey has done such things as give her entire audience new cars, interviewed some of the most famous people on the planet like Michael Jackson, then-Senator Barack Obama, and mega stars from Hollywood. She is also very charitable as one of her greatest works has been starting a school for young girls in Africa who show leadership potential.

Going Out A Winner

Winfrey, age 55, is going out on the top of her game. Her show is constantly in the top of the ratings as bolstered by her recent interview with Sarah Palin. She shows no signs of slowing down as she is about to embark upon her own, literally, cable network called the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Many people have chosen to retire at the top of the heap and when they feel like they have reached the pinnacle. Other famous examples include Michael Jordan, Katie Holmes, and Pat Tillman.

Six Rings

Michael Jordan had just won his third NBA Championship with the Chicago Bulls and decided to call it quits in 1993 after saying he had lost his desire for the game. One of the all-time NBA greats, Jordan would be missed by everyone.

After trying his hand at baseball, Jordan returned and won an astonishing three more titles with the Bulls before retiring again. He tried one more comeback before deciding to call it quits for real this time.

Motherhood Calls

Katie Holmes, AKA Mrs. Tom Cruise, was a young actress in her early twenties and had landed huge roles in Batman Begins and The Gift after her long run on Dawson's Creek. Saying she wanted to concentrate on being a mother to Suri, her new baby with Tom Cruise, she said she would retire from acting.

Holmes had been off screen for four years when she returned for one film in Mad Money and is currently involved in three projects including The Romantics. Kudos to Gwyneth Paltrow who also retired for two years to become a mother after marrying Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in 2003.

Duty First

Pat Tillman is perhaps the most tragic and heroic story of retirement. After the events of September 11, 2001, had left America shattered and broken, the nation looked for ways to cope. Pat Tillman, all-pro safety for the Arizona Cardinals heeded the call of military service.

Tillman retired after only four years and could have signed a huge multi-million dollar contract to keep playing but instead joined the Army Rangers. He was killed in Afghanistan after two years of military service.

Why Retire Early

Reasons for retirements are as numerous as the reasons for having a job in the first place. Maybe it's time to do something new. Perhaps another calling is in order. Or it just plain feels good to know that you left in the best possible position that you could ever be.

Whatever her reasons, Oprah Winfrey certainly won't stay out of the limelight for long as she has her hands in many projects that I'm sure will continue for decades to come.