Manassas woman wins car from Oprah Winfrey show

Angela Watson stopped by Karen Radley Volkswagon to pick up the 2012 VW Beetle that she and the studio audience for an Oprah Winfrey show were given almost a year ago. In Woodbridge, Va. on Thursday, October 13, 2011.

Manassas resident Angie Watson stopped by the Karen Radley Volkswagen dealership in Woodbridge on Thursday afternoon to pick up her new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.

And she didnt pay the dealership any money for her new ride.

Watson said she won the car, priced $21,665, during a taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show that she attended last year.

The show aired Nov. 17, 2010.

One of Watsons dreams prior to her 50th birthday last year was to meet Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey, she said.

But she thought shed never see the talk show star in person after news spread last year about the show ending after 25 years on the air.

Unknown to Watson, her friends wrote to the shows producers and told them of Watsons work in the community, which involved giving Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas gifts, and other items to homeless people at Prince William-area shelters.

As if fulfilling one of her lifes dreams wasnt enough, she had one more surpriseshe found out, while in the audience, she was attending an Ultimate Favorite Things episodea yearly taping where Oprah would give away expensive presents to the entire audience.

She was pleased to win several items during the show, including an Apple iPad, diamond earrings and a cashmere sweater.

But Watson couldnt believe what she saw toward the end of the episode.

Oprah drove a [Volkswagen] Beetle onto the stage, Watson said.

Oprah, according to Watson, paused and seemed to be sad as she got out of the car.

She said that Volkswagen didnt let the show give the audience the car, Watson said of Oprah.

Her let-down was short-lived.

Oprah then said that! we were getting 2012 Beetles instead, Watson said. People [in the audience] screamed, jumped up and down and hugged everybody.

But with the gift came another surpriseWatson, along with the entire audience, had to wait a year until the 2012 Beetle model was released.

Show staff also forbade her from telling anybody she won anything until the show aired a week later, according to Watson.

She had to use her imagination to overcome questions from curious friends and family members.

I told them that people were singing Christmas carols on the show, Watson said laughing.

Watson said she was only able to choose the color of her car.

She chose Silver.

Dealership personnel placed Watsons new car in their showroom prior to her arrival and kept it a secret.

I was right by the car and didnt know it, Watson said.

Watson was speechless when Radley staff presented the Beetle to her.

Wowwow Watson said and laughed as she sat in the drivers seat for the first time.

Karen Radley Volkswagen general sales manager Brett Siock was pleased to participate with giving Watson her new car.

He said the dealership was recently notified by the Oprah show that a local resident won the car and to prepare for her arrival.

Watson said she couldnt believe the car was hers.

Its going to take me a few daysdriving around to get used to [the car], but its great, Watson said.

She was even more thankful for her friends who made the whole experience possible.

It was a dream of mine, and I guess making your dreams come true depends on who you have in your circle [of friends], Watson said.

Watson said the Oprah show paid the taxes on the purchase price of the car, but she still needs to pay personal property taxes.

She didnt mind.

Watson plans on keeping her current car, a 2007 Toyota RAV 4, but only expects to drive it when heavy snow hits the area.