Oprah Throws Lavish Red-Themed 80th Birthday Party for Friend

On Friday night, Oprah Winfrey held an extravagant 80th birthday bash for her friend and neighbor Bob Veloz – and no expense was spared.

Around 200 guests, dressed in black tie, flocked to Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, California, to help the aerospace equipment entrepreneur ring in the milestone.

Celebrity attendees included Robert Redford and Patti La Belle, who performed later in the evening after a cocktail hour and lavish dinner.

The hotel crawled with security and one source told Closer it looked as if Oprah had brought in her own team to make sure the very private event stayed that way.

“The security is crazy tonight. They aren’t even letting employees walk through the event,” the source said.

“All entrances are blocked off and there was a guard watching the stairs making sure only those who had place cards and invitations were allowed down.”

The ocean-front resort is a favorite of the chat show queen and she has held many functions here over the years.

In June, she hosted some of Hollywood’s most powerful female African-American actresses during a taping of "Oprah’s Next Chapter."

During the interview, she sat down for an in-depth conversation with Alfre Woodard, Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad and Gabrielle Union.

Bob Veloz and his wife Marlene, from whom she purchased her Montecito spread for an estimated $50 million in 2001, held Oprah's 50th birthday party at their estate in 2004.

When she turned 60 last week, she opted for a much quieter affair.