Cindy Crawford

Parsis Khambatta

Her stars shine bright in the field of the acting when she worked in the films also. Oprah’s ewe inspiring role of Sofia in Steven Spielberg’s film “The Color Purple” made it the entering in the Oscar and Golden Award in the category of Best Supporting Actress. She was widely acclaimed by the critics in her performance in “Native Son”, a movie based on the classic of Richard Wright’s Classic 1940 novel.

Oprah was named as one of the most influential People of the 20^th Century by the Time magazine. In the year 1998 Oprah received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Oprah is an enigma in the U.S. and her influence does matter a lot in the publishing industry. She opened an on-air book club and her book club selections became instant bestsellers. Angel Network was started by Oprah for providing the support to the destitute around the world. This group has been into the extensive work in the U.S. and the Africa.

 In the year 2000, this network began presenting a $ 100,000 “Use Your Life Award” to people who are using their lives to improve the lives of others. When Forbes magazine published its list of America’s Billionaires for the year 2003, it disclosed that Oprah Winfrey was the first African-American woman to become a billionaire.

 But was the life of Oprah Winfrey was so easy? Has been born with the platinum spoon in her mouth? These questions do revolve in our mind. Well this is far from the truth. Oprah was born in 29 January, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, United States in a Baptist Family. Her parents were unmarried teenagers. She was originally named Orpah Gail Winfrey, after one of the people in the Bible’s Book of Ruth. But she was very poor in spelling that she reversed the “r” and the “p”.

 Oprah’s mother was a housemaid and her father was a coalminer. Later her father joined Armed Forces when she was born. Initial six year from her birth she lived her live in utter poverty and lived with her Grandma Hattie Mae. Her grandmother taught her the reading skills. She picked up the reading early and in the local church she was nicknamed “The Preacher” for her ability to recite the verses of the Bible impeccably.

 At the age of Six, Oprah moved to Wisconsin with her mother. However, her mother was less supportive and encouraging than her grandmother. Here her life took some very turbulent turns. As per Oprah when she was nine the tyranny started in her life and she was molested by her cousin, uncle, and a family friend. In-spite of all these ups and down in her life Oprah managed to become the pet of teacher’s and at the age of 13 received a scholarship to attend Nicolet High School in the suburbs in Wisconsin.

 Though she was popular, she couldn’t afford to go out on the town as frequently as her better-off classmates. Like many teenager in 1960 she also ran from her house and ran the streets. When she was 14, she was sent to her father in Nashville, Tennessee. Vernon her father was very strict but encouraging and made her education a priority. Winfrey became an honors student was voted “Most Popular Girl”.

Her boyfriend Anthony Otey, recalls that she was a determined girl from her early age and knew what she want from life. When all the people were taking drugs she was focusing on how to become a movie star. No doubt people with this sheer determination only succeed in life. Therefore, the Oprah is where she ever wanted in her life to be.

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