Oprah Died? TV Host Becomes Victim of Social Media Death Hoax

Oprah Winfrey is dead. At least that's what social media sites are saying. However the television host didn't die. She's just the victim of an Internet death hoax.

Rumors started spreading this week saying that Oprah died. Dozens of tweets started spreading the rumors. Some said the 59-year-old died of a heart attack. Some said she died of a stroke. Some came across a picture of what looked like a real CNN report saying "Oprah Winfrey declared dead at airport after stroke." The report is false and cannot be found anywhere on the real CNN site or any other reliable news source.

These reports are not true. The rumor is nothing but a rumor. Oprah is alive and well.

Some may have come across a Necropedia page which confirms the death as it says,

"Oprah Winfrey is dead

Oprah Winfrey, born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, was an American television host. She died on February 27, 2013 at the age of 59.

Tributes have poured in from across the world."

February 27th hasn't happened yet. Necropedia is a page that creates "anticipated obituaries." According to a note on the site, "An anticipated obituary is, by definition, an obituary written BEFORE the death of a person. It is common for news agencies to keep pre-written obituary for public figures, famous and high-profile people who are still alive. It is by no means a death announcement nor an anticipation of death."

Despite the rumor being false, fans took to Twitter to question and mourn the loss. Some examples of tweets include:

"WOW... Oprah Winfrey died of a heart attack. RIP 1954-2013"

"This better be a joke that Oprah died!!!"

"Damn is Oprah really dead?? RIP"

"RIP Oprah. You will be missed dearly..."

Oprah isn't the only celebrity to become a victim of a social media death hoax. Death hoaxes have become a trend in recent months.

Some other celebrities who became victims of a death hoax in recent months include "The Big Bang Theory actory Jim Parsons, actress Megan Fox, wrestler John Cena, singer Bruno Mars, actor Vin Diesel, musician Skrillex, Rapper Lil Wayne, Actor Vince Vaughn, Tom Kenny, the voice behind SpongeBob Squarepants, country singer Taylor Swift, legendary actor Morgan Freeman, Comedian Bill Cosby, Alfonso Ribeiro aka Carlton from the Fresh Prince, and Bill Nye the Science Guy. All of these celebrities are just fine.