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The birth of Oprah
Oprah was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi in the United States. Her father, Vernon Winfrey, was a coal miner and her mother, Vernita Lee, was a housemaid. DNA tests have shown that she has ancestors from Liberia, East Asia, and Native American tribes. -
Reunited with her mother
In 1960, Oprah moved from a farm with her grandmother to an inner city ghetto in Mississippi to live with her mother, stepsister, and stepbrother. She later revealed that she suffered abuse and was raped by her cousin, family friend, and uncle. -
On the road again
During this time she ran away from her mother and barely escaped being sent to a juvenile detention center. She also gave birth to a premature boy, who died shortly after birth. She then moved in with her father and stepmother in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father had become a successful businessman and was very strict on her education. Oprah was an honor student at East Nashville High School. -
College
Oprah graduated from Tennessee State University in 1973 with a degree in Speech and Performing Arts. At age 19, she then became the first black TV anchor on WTVF-TV. -
Another Job
Oprah was hired by WJZ-TV Baltimore to host the 6 o'clock news. She met her best friend, Gayle King, while working there. -
A.M. Chicago
In 1984, Oprah moved to Chicago, Illinois to host A.M. Chicago. The first episode premiered on January 2 and received high ratings. -
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show replaced A.M. Chicago. She also starred in Steven Spielberg's movie 'The Color Purple' as the character Sofia. -
Best Show
On February 9th, Oprah aired her reportedly best show from Forsyth County, Georgia where no blacks had been allowed to live since 1912. Later, she won her first Emmy as an outstanding talk show host and The Oprah Winfrey Show is named best show. -
Broadcaster of the Year
Oprah was named Broadcaster of the Year by International Television and Radio Society. She was the youngest to ever receive that award. Oprah then gained control of her own studio and bought her Chicago facility and her farm in Indiana. Then tragedy struck and Billy Rizzo, her assistant, died of AIDS. She was also a guest star on Pee-Wee Herman’s Playhouse: Christmas Special. -
One of the Richest Entertainers
Oprah admitted that 20 years earlier, she used cocaine. She also was put on Forbes Top 40 Entertainers list. She was the only black woman from the U.S. -
Nobel Peace Prize
Oprah hosted the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Conert. -
Only Black billionaire
Oprah was listed as the world's noly black billionare. She was also Named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people of the year.
