Finally, the grande dame of TV's longest-reigning soap ("The Young and the Restless" has been No. 1 since 1989) has taken her bow on the Emmys' stage — as a winner.

In the past, 79-year-old Jeanne Cooper received a lifetime achievement award in 2004, but actually winning in a competitive category was special, she told us backstage.

"This is a big plus!" she crowed. "This time I competed and I won. Like 'American Idol,' like the Oscar!"

The "Y&R" diva — who's appeared on the show since 1973 — lost seven times in the lead race and one more time when she dropped down to a supporting role (2005).

She was so convinced that she'd probably lose again tonight that she almost decided not to attend. "I only decided to come as of Monday," she told us.

In tonight’s audience was her son Corbin Bernsen, who brought her back to primetime with a guest spot as his mother on "LA Law" in its first season. She got an Emmy nod but lost to Alfre Woodard who appeared in the "LA Law" pilot. Cooper's only other primetime nod had come a quarter of a century earlier when her guest spot on "Ben Casey" landed her in the supporting actress race –- she lost to Pamela Brown for "Victoria Regina."