Does Oprah Winfrey Struggle To Walk Post-Ozempic? This Is The Health Rumor She Couldn't Ignore

On March 5, Oprah Winfrey and her longtime friend Gayle King were front and center at the Chloé Fall/Winter 2026 runway show for Paris Fashion Week. Alas, it wasn't their matching snake-effect Chloé Cleia T-bar pumps or even their coordinating burnt-sienna-hued suede jacket and leather pants that got people talking. "Not the Ozempic shuffle," one TikTok user commented on a TikTok video, referencing Oprah's seemingly hesitant and shuffled steps as she slowly made her way into the event. Meanwhile, another demanded, "Where is your scooter!!!" 

The next Ozempic case I see is definitely Oprah Winfrey..who seems to be struggling to walk..

The only difference is she's covered it up pretty well, so it's not that obvious.

What is happening with people? Why is everyone so obsessed with shortcuts?
It's getting ridiculous.😳 pic.twitter.com/M4ghtqNLR9

— Hanz (@fashionistaera) March 7, 2026

It should be noted that later, during a clip of her taping "The Oprah Podcast," Winfrey, who has admitted to taking a weight loss medication, chalked the moment up to simply not being able to see through a brand new pair of non-prescription sunglasses she was haphazardly handed right before stepping out of her car. Still, others in the comments section were adamant that the famous media mogul's walking struggle was indicative of something much more serious. "Ozempic is linked to osteoporosis (weak bones)," one armchair user claimed.

Unfortunately, for Winfrey, according to Kevin Jefferson, DPM, aka the DC Foot Doctor, "Ozempic feet" is a real thing, and it's not something she should blatantly ignore. "GLP-1s and other weight loss medications and methods do not focus on any one particular part of the body, but they cause fat loss all over, including the bottom of the feet," Jefferson cautioned in a Facebook video. "This can lead to pain, callus formation, and even skin breakdown."

According to Jefferson, Ozempic users who have type 2 diabetes or other conditions that cause neuropathy and poor circulation can be especially prone to experiencing skin breakdown on the bottom of their feet, ultimately making them more susceptible to developing foot ulcers. And as it turns out, "GLP-1 medications are primarily indicated to control blood sugar and type 2 diabetes," Dr. Jefferson noted, making the case of "Ozempic feet" that much more likely. "If you start to notice them, have this conversation with your primary doctor and see a podiatrist to get this issue taken care of before problems can ensue," he warned.

As you may recall, in September 2018, Winfrey penned an open letter to her Weight Watchers (obtained by People) members in which she revealed that she had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes before she joined Weight Watchers. She also revealed that her late mother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. (Since then, Winfrey has also opened up about her Hashimoto's disease diagnosis.)

Additionally, Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D., the executive vice president for medical affairs and dean of the medical school at the University of Michigan, told VeryWell Health that side effects of "Ozempic feet" also include sagging skin due to the sheer speed of the weight loss, as well as gait issues and joint pain. "Unlike visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs, this peripheral fat is lost more quickly and visibly, often leading to a hollow or sagging appearance," Runge explained.