Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is an American Multiple-Emmy Award winning host of the Oprah Winfrey show, but we all probably know that. All those awards don’t really matter to me. It’s her story that motivates and inspires me. That’s why I call Oprah “My Hero”.

Oprah’s father, Vernon, was a coal miner,and he later worked as a barber before becoming a city councilman. Her mother, Vernita Lee, was a housemaid. When Oprah was born her mother moved north while her father was at war. She lived with her Grandma Hattie Mae in rural poverty for the first six years of her life.

Oprah and young African child

At age six she moved to an inner city ghetto in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her mother who did not support her as much. She has told sources that she was molested on numerous occasions by her own family members, but despite her bad home life she was a very smart girl and skipped two grades. Oprah’s mother got frustrated with her as a teen because of her rebellious ways. She sent her to live with her father in Nashville, Tennessee. She became and honor student and was awarded “Most Popular”.

Oprah ended up winning a scholarship to Tennessee University where she studied in communications. At 18 she won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant. Oprah was inspired at a young age to do what she does today. Her grandmother said she would play games and interview her corncob doll and the crows. Her media career actually began when she was 17. She worked at a local radio station. There she was named the youngest news anchor. Oprah continued anchoring at numerous places.

Oprah today has accomplished and overcome many feats in her life. Some of her major accomplishments include: hosting the ever popular Oprah Winfrey Show, starring in films, and publishing her own magazine. Oprah is my hero because she came from absolutely nothing to a very big something. Her story shows everyone that if we believe and want something badly enough we can achieve it. She’s changed so many lives including mine.