Oprah auction brings in $600,000 for charity

CARPINTERIA, Calif., Nov. 3 (UPI) -- An auction of Oprah Winfrey's personal items in California raised at least $600,000 for her leadership academy in South Africa, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Winfrey and her exercise adviser, Bob Greene, took in more money than they expected when they auctioned off 584 items at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria Saturday, the newspaper said.

A pair of crystal lamp bases without shades estimated to be worth $200 to $400 sold for $2,500, and a $300 to $500 painting went for $6,000, the Times said.

Enthusiastic Internet bidders caused the auction to proceed at a slower-than-expected clip, and after the first 2 hours, only 55 of the items had been auctioned off, the newspaper said.

All of Winfrey's items had been sold by 6:16 p.m., but the auction proceeded with Greene's donations. At that point, the auction had already brought in $600,000 for Winfrey's charity.