Oprah Winfrey Bio- Childhood, Success, Net Worth, Facts

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” She has been an inspiration to many, Oprah Winfrey. We have heard several stories of how she struggled his way up. Let’s read her childhood stories and success.

Name Orpah Gail Winfrey
Birthdate January 29, 1954
Place of Birth Kosciusko, Mississippi
Age 66
Father Vernon Winfrey
Mother Vernita Lee
Height 5’6”
Weight 66 kg
Notable Roles The Color Purple, The Princess, and the Frog
Net Worth Est. $ 2.6 billion

 

She is a star, businesswoman, and personality on television whose organized daily box set was one of the most beloved of all audiences in broadcast television. As a woman, Oprah is one of the most significant and wealthy of all.

Child Oprah
Childhood Photo of Oprah Winfrey

The Childhood of Oprah Winfrey

When she was young, her mother moved north in their state to search for a living. Her mother decided to leave Oprah to her grandmother for a while on a farm while she was away. Her grandmother influenced her love for books in a way of facilitating learning to her by teaching her to read when she was just a toddler. She would then recite verses she memorized from the Bible in front of the friends of her grandmother.

Two years later, she started attending classes in kindergarten but since she was already taught how to read and write, she had been advanced to Grade 1.

Hardships of Oprah

A year later, her grandmother got sick so she relocated to her half-sister and mother in an apartment. Her mother worked as a domestic helper who cleans homes and they would sometimes ask for the help of social services just so their family would be supported in their daily needs. Since the work of her mother kept her busy, the time left during the day was mostly spent with her half-sister.

More than a year later, Oprah moved homes again. She resided with her father and her stepmother. Since they are unable to conceive children biologically, they were filled with gratitude when Oprah came home to them. She now has her own room at last.

Oprah attended an elementary school there. She was gifted with knowledge so she had to be accelerated on a higher grade again. Winfrey was happy with her parents for they used to bring her to book rooms and libraries since they give importance to her education. She lived with a religious family and was always present in masses in their church. Because of her supportive family, she was given more hope and freedom to excel in declamation and speaking in front of many in her childhood.

Oprah’s Steps to Success

During her late teens, she became a news anchor for a local station. She then became a reporter and a coanchor for a larger news station following her graduation in a state university. She felt uneasy due to the required standards of impartiality of reporting to news so she decided to be a cohost in a morning show.

Oprah transcended in the format of being in a spontaneous and personal program. She then transferred seven years later to become a host in a deteriorating show in a different state. Because of her captivating personality, the show progressed successfully. A year later, the title of the program changed, renaming it by her name. Aired throughout different states, the show became the highest-rated television box set in their nation and acquired tons of awards.

Oprah in her show
Oprah in her show

The Rise of the “Queen of All Media”

A year after her program became successful, she starred in a film adapted from a famous writer. She was hailed and applauded by many critics due to her performance which led to starring other roles such as a performance from a short series aired on televisions. Five years later, she then built her very own company specializing in television production. That company then started to buy film rights to works made of literature. Seven years later, She appeared to a movie not only as an actress but also as the producer. She also dubbed a few films made of animation to which she also produced herself.

She also started an on-air club focusing on book six years after she formed her company. Each book she picked instantly piqued as a best-seller in charts so her publishing company became compelling. She additionally broadened her scope in the industry of publishing by commencing highly successful books.

After eight years of forming her own network, she also inaugurated a cable network in television that was exclusively for women. Then for another eight years, she initiated her own channel on the radio. She cut ties with her partnership in a network 2 years later. Then, changed the name of another channel into her own name after 3 years. Unfortunately, she announced that her talk show would come to an end a year later. The media thought that she would concentrate on her network.

Oprah Winfrey: One of the Wealthiest in America

Even though her exemplary show had come to an end 9 years ago, the authority she built upon to herself still carries on. What she attained is absolutely remarkable despite the hindrances and the struggles she faced specifically the exploitation, financial problems, and bigotry.

She has an estimated $ 2.8 billion net worth which is the result of her long haul and tough grind. It made her one of the wealthiest women in America.

Also See: Gigi Hadid – Life, Net Worth, Modeling Career, Personal Relationships

Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham
Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham

Long Term Relationship of Oprah

She’s in a relationship with Stedman Graham who is a columnist, entrepreneur, teacher, and speechmaker. They are together for roughly 34 years but did not plan on marriage. Oprah had clarified to him since the beginning of their relationship that her main priority is her career but she would like to know that he would feel that she is still worthy of being his wife. She just doesn’t like the idea of getting married.

Oprah Winfrey’s Stunning Body Measurement

Oprah’s body shape is of an apple. Her vital statistics are 40-30-40. Her feet size is 10.5. She underwent a couple of weight gain and losses in the span of her life. Once, Oprah reached a weight of 107 kg in the early 90s. The slimmest weight she experienced was 72 kg in the early 2000s. She even modeled on the front page of a magazine.

Interesting Facts about Oprah Winfrey

  • She was named “Orpah”. Her name was derived from the Bible but people tend to articulate her name incorrectly.
  • People used to call her “The Preacher”. It’s because of her skill to declaim verses out of the Bible at a young age.
  • First Black woman to become a multi-millionaire. From the economic hardships experienced by Oprah, she became one of the richest African-American.
  • Oprah received an award from former President Barack Obama. She was awarded the Nation’s Highest Civilian Honor– the Presidential Medal Freedom.
  • She won a pageant in her teenage years. Oprah won a beauty pageant in the country at the age of 17.
  • She was bullied for being poor. Oprah lived in a family that was so impoverished. She experienced wearing a potato sack for a dress. Ironic, isn’t it? She is now one of the wealthiest people in America.
  • Oprah got pregnant during her early teens. It was an unexpected pregnancy as she was molested by her male relative. Eventually, she gave birth to a premature baby, who did not survive not long after birth.

Related Questions about Oprah

Now, you may know more about Oprah with these questions.

Why is Oprah Winfrey important?

Oprah is branded as the “Queen of All Media”. She is an inspiration to the black community. She became one of the richest African-American in the 20th century. Moreover, she is the 1st black multi-millionaire. Not to mentioned, she became one of the most influential women in the world.

How does Oprah Winfrey help the needy?

When the Angel Network of Oprah has stopped receiving donations in 2010, they have already donated $80 million to several charitable causes. Meanwhile, Oprah has a charitable foundation that handles and donates to causes like human rights, education, and storm relief. Not to mention, she has founded a girls’ exclusive school in South Africa.

How does Oprah inspire people?

Oprah does not only inspire the black community. She inspires every people. Oprah Winfrey is recognized as a “positive impact maker”. With her past experiences and well-being, many people are empowered. Several people look up to her as she passionately shares her life with the world.

Did Oprah adopt children?

Oprah has always a good heart. In South Africa, she has been secretly adopted and parenting 10 children since 2002. However, Oprah is not happy with people who harshly critics celebrity adoptions.

Why is Oprah not Married?

She tells the public that she did not want to experience sacrifices and compromises because of the required commitment to make a marriage work. More so, she adds that they both know her show is her priority. Oprah has a distinct style with her shows. It creates a warm environment making people more willing to share their personal stories.