Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey, famous television host considered one of the most powerful women today has humble beginnings. She was born in 1954 on a farm in Mississippi. She lived till the age of 6 with her grandmother who taught her to read before the age of three. She was nicknamed ‘preacher’ because of her ability to quote verses from the Bible. At the age of six, she went to live with her mom. Oprah has admitted to being molested by her cousin, uncle and a family friend. She even ran away from home.

At the age of sixteen she went to live with her father who was strict and made her add five new words to her vocabulary before she had dinner every day. It resulted in Oprah winning an oratorical that guaranteed her a full scholarship to the University of Tennessee. While in college she won a pageant and attracted the attention of the local black radio station, which hired her to do the news part-time. After college, she moved to another talk show and eventually the show got named ‘The Oprah Winfrey’ show and there was no turning back after that.

Today, the Oprah Winfrey show is avidly watched by fans all over the world. Her candid style and warm personality have made her one of the most recognized and admired faces in the world. Her openness in sharing her own personal problems on national television endeared her to all. Today she is so influential that everybody wants to be interviewed on ‘The Oprah Winfrey’ show. If Oprah likes you then chances are high that America and the rest of the world. will. Oprah recently donated $40 million creating the ‘Oprah Winfrey Academy’ for Girls in South Africa to fund the education of girls from low-income families, whom she has hand-picked. It is her continued interest in giving back to society that makes Oprah so influential and loved.