A broadcasting era has come to an end after the last ever episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show, which has become the highest-rated programme of its kind in history, aired in the US.

The talk show has run for 25 years and over that time, Winfrey, its host and producer, has become one of the most influential people in the world.

Millions of people across the world tune in to watch the talk show queen, who rose to stardom from humble beginnings.

Her influence - dubbed the 'Oprah Effect' - is so strong that almost any product appearing on her show sees a dramatic rise in sales.

The effect has even rippled to the Middle East, where Muna Abu Sulayman has been described as the Saudi Arabian 'Oprah'.

Sulayman, who is also the first Saudi woman to be appointed a UN goodwill ambassador, told Al Jazeera about Winfrey's impact on her own career.

Al Jazeera's Cath Turner reports from Chicago.