Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey (harpersbazaar.com)

Oprah Winfrey is my hero; I did research on her using “Biography Today.” She is known internationally for her generosity. She is a media role model, and she is a female success story. Oprah is a great lady who has worked hard to become a respected American idol.

Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954. She was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi; her parents were Vernon Winfrey and Vernita Lee. Oprah’s unusual first name was given to her by accident. Her mother wanted to name her Orpah, who is a woman cited in the Bible. When Oprah was 14 years old, she had a baby. The baby was born prematurely and died soon afterwards. Oprah has never married, but she is involved in a long-term relationship with former NBA star, Stedman Graham.

Education played a significant role in Oprah’s life. Oprah’s grandmother taught her to read by the age of three. At the age of five, Oprah entered kindergarten, She found it boring, so she was moved to first grade. Oprah attended Lincoln Middle School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Oprah’s teacher got her involved in Upward Bound which is a government program that provides kids from low-income families with funding to attend good high schools. Through Upward Bound, Oprah earned a scholarship to Nicolet High School. Oprah moved, and then she attended East High in Nashville. At East High she was an honor student, and she participated in many extracurricular activities. As a senior, Oprah got a part-time job reading the news on a local radio station, WVOL. At the age of 17, Oprah graduated from East High School and decided to go to Tennessee State University in Nashville. A few months before she was to earn her Bachelor Degree, she left college to accept a new job. She continued to take courses while working. Finally, in 1986, she got her degree.

The 2011 Oprah Magazine (downeu.com)

Hard work, combined with an appropriate education, led to many professional opportunities for Oprah. In 1972, Oprah was asked to audition for a job as co-anchor for a local TV station. She got the job at the age of 19 which made her both the first black woman and the youngest person to have the job. In 1976, she was offered another co-anchor position at WJZ-TV in Baltimore. In 1984, Oprah became the host of A.M. Chicago. After a few months of hosting A.M. Chicago, it became The Oprah Winfrey Show. After launching The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah met Jeff Jacobs who was an entertainment lawyer. Jeff convinced Oprah to form her own media company. Together they formed Harpo Production Studio; Jeff acted as the president and owned 10 percent while Oprah was the chairman and owned 90 percent. Still today, Oprah’s show remains the top-rated syndicated talk show in the United States. The Oprah Magazine, O, has become a popular magazine in the last few years. Oprah is widely considered to be one of the most generous, successful people in the media business.

Oprah has been honored with many awards. She has won a total of 39 Emmy Awards. She won seven for Outstanding Host, nine for Outstanding Talk Show, and 21 in the Creative Arts category. Oprah won the George Foster Peabody Award in 1996. She won the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Additional awards include the Individual Achievement Gold Medal in 1996 and the Honorary National Book Award in 1999. Oprah is in the National Woman’s Hall of Fame, and she won the 50th Anniversary Medal in 1999.

Oprah Winfrey is a dynamic, national icon who has helped change the culture of America. She openly shares her success with others. Her endless generosity has touched lives around the world. According to Oprah, “I don't think you ever stop giving. I really don't. I think it's an on-going process. And it's not just about being able to write a check. It's being able to touch somebody's life.” Oprah Winfrey is an important woman to America.