Read Oprah’s statement on Quincy Jones’ death

After Jones’ death, Oprah reflected on their time together. Read her statement below.

My beloved Q. The world’s beloved Q. The one and only Quincy Jones ‘discovered’ me for the film ‘The Color Purple’ in 1985.

My life changed forever for the better after I met him.

I had never experienced, nor have I experienced since, anyone whose heart was so full of love.

He walked around with his heart wide open and treated everyone as if they were the most important person he had ever met. He was the Light. No shadows.

He was love lived out loud in human form and he was the first person I ever loved unconditionally. This is how we signed all our notes together: “Unconditionally…”

This photo is one of my favorites among us. I was at his home in Bel Air in 2001 to interview him about his prolific career, the family that completed him and the life he still had ahead of him. He was the most powerful soul. His life strengthened mine and every life he touched. That will be his global legacy.

Greatest, fullest, most loving life ever. One of one

For more about Oprah and Jones’ friendship, revisit their 2001 interview.

Cassie Hurwitz (she/her) is an associate editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers everything from culture to entertainment to lifestyle. She can usually be found in the middle of several books and TV shows at once. Previously, Cassie worked as a sidekick Parents, Rachael Ray in the seasonAnd Reveal. Her love language is pizza (New York slices, Chicago deep dish and otherwise).