After 16 years of not speaking, a subsequent make up and even the development of a near friendship, Oprah Winfrey opened up about her relationship with David Letterman.

The two television legends have had an icy relationship in the past, but in recent years they have appeared together on several occasions. Winfrey was a guest on Letterman's "Late Show" to promote "The Color Purple," the Broadway show she produced, and then Letterman appeared on Winfrey's iconic talk show. The pair even filmed a buzzworthy Super Bowl ad with Jay Leno several years ago.

And most recently, on Monday evening, Winfrey joined Letterman at Ball State University, the late night host's alma mater, for an intimate conversation that lasted nearly two hours.

After the event, Winfrey say down with CBS News and was asked about the tough relationship with Letterman and whether she'd call it a feud.

"Let's call it a distancing," the TV queen said with a smile.

She went on to explain her side of what caused she and Letterman to go without speaking for so long.

"I had done a show of his, and during the process of the show people started yelling bad things, and I thought that he didn't take control of the situation or should have taken control of the situation," Winfrey said. "It was such an uncomfortable experience for me."

CLICK HERE to see the video of Winfrey discussing her longtime feud with Letterman.

Reports from the conversation at Ball State said the chat was unusually serious, especially for the consistently light-hearted Letterman. Winfrey discussed her history of sexual abuse, and the many challenges she faced on her road to becoming an international icon and one of the richest and most powerful women in the world.

Winfrey said she embraces all the bad things that have happened to her, and she appreciates that it is those obstacles that made her present reality possible.

"Everything that has ever happened in your life contributes to the call and the journey," she said.

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