Oprah Winfrey

The Biography of Oprah Winfrey – “Believe in yourself”

She was a neglected child but went on to became an icon. She had an abusive childhood, numerous career setbacks, but we all are witness to this success story of one of the richest and most successful women in the world. Yes, we are talking about ‘Oprah Winfrey’.

Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954 in a rural town to an unwed teenage mother. Initially Oprah had to stay with her grandmother as Oprah's mother moved North to find work. Her grandmother taught her to how to read at the age of three. At the very young age she started reciting poems and Bible verses in local churches. Soon the church, and the entire neighborhood knew she had a gift and was nicknamed, "The Little Speaker". When she was enrolled in school she was often promoted several grades ahead of her age because she was able to read and write at an early age.

At the age of six, Oprah was sent to live with her father but later she came back to her mother when she found out that her mother was pregnant. When Oprah was nine she was raped by her cousin. She was sexually abused by their family friend, mother’s boyfriend, her uncle and this continued for four years. She could not stand any more with the years abuse and finally at the age of thirteen she tried to run away, but she was sent to a juvenile detention home, only to be denied admission because all the beds were filled. At fourteen she became pregnant and gave birth to a child. The child died shortly after birth.

She was emotionally devastated by abuse and later the death of her child. Oprah took the death of her son as she was given a second chance in life. She has decided to get her life back on track. She was good at studies and her interest was public speaking and hence she concentrated on both of them. She again went to live with her father. Her father was very strict and made education the number-one priority for Oprah. When Oprah attended high school she knew she was certain her career would be with speaking or drama. Oprah was also elected school president as she was part of public speaking classes. One day when she was rehearsing with her drama class when a local radio station spotted her and asked her if she would like to read on radio. She readily accepted the job. Later she participated in public speaking contest and won the grand prize of scholarship in a university.

Before she completed her graduation, she was offered another job as reporter in a television channel. Very soon she was fired from her job because she was unfit for TV. This did not discourage her, as she believed in herself and she always knew she was destined for greatness. Oprah's boss set her up as a talk show host on a morning talk show called, "People Are Talking". After continuing this job for seven years, she landed in a job hosting A.M. Chicago. Very soon she changed the name of the show to “The Oprah Winfrey Show” which received higher ratings. Through her show she promoted many things on her show such as books, movie releases all of which people were eager to know what her opinions were of them. Apart from the show, she started releasing monthly magazines O:The Oprah Magazine, Oprah's Book Club (her collection of books), O at Home etc. She made her acting debut with the film “The Color Purple” directed by Steven Spielberg.

She received many awards including multiple Day Time Emmy Awards, an achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts And Sciences, to name a few. Oprah helped broaden not just woman's point of view and significance, but she helped to realize that every human has an importance in this world. She is inspiring millions of people across the world, discussing significant issues on her show such as equal rights toward genders, racism, poverty, and many others. She brought herself to where she is today due to her belief and willpower. Winfrey is a world icon and is one of the most successful women in the world.

Some of the famous quotes by Oprah Winfrey:

1. "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
2. "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
3. "Where there is no struggle, there is no strength."
4. "If you want your life to be more rewarding, you have to change the way you think."
5. "Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment."
6. "Whatever you fear most has no power - it is your fear that has the power. Facing the truth really will set you free."
7. "Turn your wounds into wisdom."
8. "You CAN have it all. You just can't have it all at once."