She defied both cultural and gender barriers, overcame obstacles that many of us could never dream of encountering, and above all, showed the world that anything is possible as long as you maintain the strength, will-power and desire to make a difference. Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Oprah Winfrey has dedicated most of her time and money to improve the lives of others. She has allowed fans and audiences alike to see that it is not about the situations individuals face or the conditions in which they live that are going to govern their success and achievements in this world, but rather it is their hearts and determination that make all the difference. Oprah was the first African-American woman to become a billionaire in 2003, and since then has donated to millions of dollars to help underprivileged students receive a better education. She has influenced individuals across the world and has used her reputation and power only for the good of others.
Oprah did not grow up having a fairytale lifestyle by any means. Her mother was an unwed 18-year-old and her father, a 24-year-old in the armed forced. One can safely say that even as a newborn, Oprah had a wall of obstacles that she forced to overcome; she was poor African-American female born into an environment with unmarried parents. Because her mother left her to look for a job in a northern state, Oprah spent the first couple years of her life on her grandmother's farm, these years being some of the best of her life. Her grandmother taught her how to read and write and by the age of three, Oprah began her public speaking career by reciting sermons and verses from the Bible at local churches. However, at the age of six, Oprah was sent to live with her mother in Milwaukee; a move that essentially caused her both physical and emotional harm. At the age of nine, Oprah was raped by a cousin and later, endured continual abuse and was frequently molested by her uncle and one of her mother's male friends. As a result, she became very sexually active as a teenager and often partook in wild outings and behaviors.
After giving birth to a baby, who died while still in the womb, Oprah was determined to turn her life around and make something of herself, thus she made the decision to move in with her father who lived in Nashville. While his rules were strict and discipline harsh, Oprah's father helped to put her on the right path. “As strict as he was,” says Oprah, “he had some concerns about me making the best of my life, and would not accept anything less than what he thought was my best.”
At 19-years old, Oprah started her first job as a reporter for a radio station in Nashville and after that, her life continued to flourish. After hosting a hit TV show entitled, People are Talking, and her own morning show called A.M. Chicago, Oprah's success was gradually becoming evident to individuals across the world. In 1986, The Oprah Winfrey Show had its first national broadcast and just like that, Oprah's way of life was turned upside down. Her television show became an instant attraction to audiences nationwide and in 1987 won three Daytime Emmy Awards.
America instantly fell in love with Oprah and all she had to offer. The Oprah Winfrey Show presented inspiring and breathtaking stories, as well as popular guests who attracted viewers. In addition, Oprah sought to establish a daytime show not common at the time; it was one that, in addition to entertaining people, stressed the importance of spiritual values and maintaining a healthy way of life.
There is no denying that Oprah did all she could to help others, possibly because she was never really helped herself. She did not have a great support system growing up and her childhood was anything but ordinary. And yet, she never let these troubles tear her down, in fact, she used them to make herself stronger and that is why she is the hero she is today. Deemed one of the "100 Most Influential People of the 20th century" by Time magazine, Oprah Winfrey is more than just a successful talk show host. She is an inspiration and has had an overpowering influence on the way individuals eat and exercise and most importantly, on the way they think and feel about themselves.
It may not be possible to teach someone how to dream or accomplish a goal, but Oprah's heroic story and all that she has accomplished is enough to do just that. She is a hero that has shown us that anything is possible; you just cannot give up when the going gets tough.
Below is a clip comprising of Oprah’s fondest moments on television as she says goodbye to The Oprah Winfrey show.
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I’ve always admired Oprah for her success in life and ability to climb out of the dark hole that was many parts of her childhood. I was aware that she had a tough upbringing, but I never knew the details before reading this post and now I respect her even more. She truly is role model for young girls experiencing hardships in adolescence and evidence that you can pick yourself back up and create your own destiny.
It is amazing how much Oprah has overcome to get to where she is today. It is truly inspirational. If book sales are any indication, Oprah is a hero to millions who will snatch up a book simply based on her recommendation. She is a great role model for anyone trying to better themselves.
It’s incredible to see how far Oprah has come. It’s no wonder she’s such an extraordinary figure. To me, he experiences make her compassion and generosity even more significant than they already were. She really is an important role model, as well as an invaluable public figure. She really and truly is an inspirational figure because she wouldn’t let adversity hold her back. She kept on trying and look what she’s accomplished!
Oprah is most definitely a hero! I think this one line towards the beginning of the Blog really paints the heroic picture – she has "€¦dedicated most of her time and money to improve the lives of others." Now, we all know that she obviously has the MONEY to do such things. However, it is the constant generosity that I think is so awe-provoking – not to mention, she also has a tendency to personalize her charitable ventures because, in a way, she can relate to such struggles as childhood obstacles, prejudices based solely on personal characteristics, living below the poverty level, etc. Also, the fact that she was able to go from the lowest of low circumstances earlier in life to being the first African American female billionaire in 2003 and easily one of the most powerful and influential women in this country, makes Oprah all the more inspirational and most likely a hero in the eyes of most – male or female, black or white, rich or poor.
Oprah is the best. Plain and simple. She has inspired so many people, women and men, to push for their dreams regardless of their situation. Even without the show, she will continue to inspire and lead Americans on the journey through life.
Oprah is a very inspiriting hero-whose power and influence is beyond belief . Its also really interesting to see her leave the Oprah Show at the height of her greatness. The question that I have is will she ever return in search of the thrill and excitement of her shows or will she remain behind scenes forever? The likes of Michael Jordon and Brett Favre could not I wonder if Oprah can ?