ryan - Oprah Winfrey Broke Down in Tears Over Mary Tyler Moore's Death

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Mary Tyler Moore passed away on Wednesday after suffering from multiple health problems. In the wake of her death, Oprah posted a heartfelt **te on social media recalling the time the actress surprised her on her show back in 1997. In addition to her tribute, she also opened up to Entertainment Tonight about how she broke down in tears after hearing the sad news. "It's the first time I would recall a public figure in recent years passing - and we've lost so many people recently - where I actually sat down and shed tears about it," she said over the phone. "The moment she surprised me on that show was a life-changing moment for many reasons. First of all, it's the time I coined the ugly cry. And I went into double, triple overtime. After that I said, 'Never again!' I called all my producers together - and that was in 1997 ? I said, 'Never again will I be surprised on the show, and if I'm ever surprised on the show, it will cost whoever produced that show their job.' Because I could **t speak, hear, or think!"

During her phone call, she also talked about how she looked up to Mary as a role model for her career. "Mary Tyler Moore first gave me the idea that you can own your own show and produce it. She was the one," she said. "She paved the way through storytelling for women and was a value system for women without even k**wing it. So, her legacy will live on in ways I k**w the creators of [The Mary Tyler Moore Show] never even imagined. What I'm grateful for is that, in my lifetime, I was able to share with her what her presence in television had meant to me as a young, growing, aspiring reporter. Her legacy is going to be every life that she touched through that show. Her legacy is going to be her smile."

Dear Mary, You already k**w how you majorly influenced my life and career. I respected and admired your business acumen, your passion and compassion for all life, and most importantly, the values espoused through your storytelling. Thank you for being a Light that shined so brightly, it let me see myself in you.

A photo posted by Oprah (@oprah) on Jan 25, 2017 at 3:24pm PST

Even **w looking at this picture I want to cry. I still can't believe Mary Tyler Moore touched my face. Will love her 4 ever. pic.twitter.com/6u4ELq27vN

- Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) January 25, 2017