Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi to an unwed teenage mother. Oprah spent her early years on her grandmother’s farm. Oprah was taught to read at an early age, and at age three she was reciting bible verses and poems as well. She enjoyed the loving support of her grandmother and church community, who uplifted her as a gifted child. Suddenly, six year old Oprah would changed for the worst. She was sent to Milwaukee to live with her hardworking mother she served as a housemaid. Sometimes when her mother was absent from their apartment, there she was repeatedly molested by male relatives. The abuse had lasted from the ages 9 to 13. Oprah then took the matters into her own hands she tried running away to a juvenile detention center but because all the beds were filled she was turned down. At the young age of 14 she was out of the house and on her own. Oprah soon started having sexual intercourse as a teenager. She gave birth to a a baby boy that died in the hospital a few weeks later. Oprah then went to Nashville, Tennessee to live with her father Vernon Winfrey. Her father was very strict but supplied Oprah with a secured home life that she needed. She had a curfew to obey by and was required to write a report on a book she read each week. Oprah quoted that her father wanted the best for her and would not accept anything less. In such a structured environment, she became an honor student winning prizes. Oprah is a talk show host, media proprietor, producer, actress and philanthropist.
Oprah was offered a full scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she majored in Speech Communication and Performing Arts. She later co-hosted her first-talk show, People Are Talking. She found something that matched her personality. Oprah had been invited to Chicago host a half hour morning show. It was soon expanded to an hour and renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show. The show was broadcasting nationally and became the number one talk show. In 1987, the show received three Daytime Emmy Awards. The following year Oprah received the International Radio and Television Society’s “Broadcaster of the Year” Award. The ever youngest person to earn the honor. With the passion for acting and quality entertainments she decided to come up with Harpo Productions. She has appeared on movies such as; The Color Purple, Charlottes’ Web, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Princess and the Frog and many others just to name a few. Oprah owned and produced her own talk show, making her the first woman in history. She was motivated by her memories of child abuse. Initiating a campaign to form a national database of child abuse conviction. Bill Clinton signed the “Oprah Bill” into law in 1993, on behalf of the National Child Protection Act. An interview with Michael Jackson drew a million viewers, making it the most watched interview in television history.
Oprah’s Angel Network has presented a 100,000 “Use Your Life Award” to people who are using their lives to improve others’ lives. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls located in South Africa is a boarding school for young girls who has grew up in high poverty environments. It is designed for these young girls to dream colossal and pursue them. But most importantly to get an education and apply it to life. Oprah held a fundraiser event for Senator Barack Obama and appeared with him at campaign events. Oprah’s principal home is on a 42-acre of an ocean-view of land in Montecito, California. She also owns homes in 6 other states and on the island of Antigua. The richest African-American Woman, The most paid performer on television. Oprah is made up of such great influential spirit that motivates people around the world to not only think about themselves and becoming a better you, but also the world around you! With a net-worth of 2.7 billion she is called the richest self-made woman in America. Oprah has been rightfully called “the most powerful woman in the world.” She truly is significant to African-American history.
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