Oprah+Winfrey

=Oprah Winfrey=

She’s interviewed hundreds of people in her lifetime. She has helped thousands more. She is looked up to as a person of influence, inspiration and importance. She has several terms coined specifically to her. She is a household name in homes all over the world and is one of the only female self-made billionaires in history. Her name is Oprah Winfrey. Oprah’s impact around the world is indescribable and her legacy will never be forgotten and therefore helps define our time.

Oprah’s humble beginnings started with her birth on January 29, 1954 in the back woods of Kosciusko, Mississippi. She was sexually abused by several male relatives and friends of her mother when she was a teenager, which caused her to be promiscuous. She entered Tennessee University in 1971 and began her radio and television broadcasting career in Nashville.

In 1971, Oprah was hired by Nashville radio station WVOL to read the news. In 1976, she moved to Baltimore where she co-anchored the 6 o’ clock news and later on co-hosted the television talk show //People Are Talking// which became an instant hit. After 8 years, she was recruited by a Chicago television station to host her own morning show, //A.M. Chicago// which became the award-winning //The Oprah Winfrey Show//.

//The Oprah Winfrey Show// quickly grew to be a success, being watched by millions of people all over the world every day. She’s interviewed hundreds of celebrities and people of interests and comments on issues in society. Her show has inspired people by programs such as Live Your Best Life. The Oprah Winfrey Show has had over four thousand shows over a span of 25 years. The show has won over 45 Emmys and countless more awards. Its end brought sadness among many people.

Other than //the Oprah Winfrey Show//, Oprah is also known for her acting and producing. She starred in blockbusters such as //The Color Purple, Beloved//, and //The Women of Brewster Place//. Her production company has brought us hits such as //Dr. Phil, The Rachael Ray Show, The Dr. Oz Show// and //The Nate Berkus Show//. Her network, the OWN Network debuted in January 2011.

Oprah is probably most acknowledged for her good deeds and philanthropy. She is well-known for her advocacy in education and in the elimination of child and sexual abuse, world hunger and poverty. Her private organization The Oprah Winfrey Foundation has awarded thousands of scholarships and grants to aid in the pursuit of education. Oprah’s Angel Network has also built schools all over the globe and rose over $80 billion for charitable organizations. Oprah's commitment to children led her to start the National Child Protection Act in 1991, in which she testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to establish a national database of convicted child abusers. On December 20, 1993, President Clinton signed the national "Oprah Bill" into law. Within 48 hours of the opening of the database, 2 convicted child offenders were captured. Oprah has also given out tons of items such as cars, kitchen appliances, jewelry, gadgets and clothes on her television show. And this is just the bare bones of it all.

Oprah stands in a category of her own being named the black billionaire from 2004- 2006 by Forbes’ and the first and only black woman billionaire in history. She acts, produces, inspires and gives. Her impact will not be forgotten any time soon. Terms have been coined in her name such as ‘Oprahfication’ meaning therapy through public discussion and ‘The Oprah Effect’ which basically describe how things reach instant success if Oprah endorses them. Books that are on her Book Club list usually become bestsellers. She’s won many awards, including Emmys, Golden Globes, Academy awards, Humanitarian Awards, Lifetime Achievement Awards, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for three different subjects. She was named Time's Most Influential Person. Oprah and her show have won more than 45 Emmys. Her legacy will continue to stand the test of time.

References: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1939458_1939454_1939448,00.html http://www.forbes.com/profile/oprah-winfrey/ http://www.cnbc.com/id/30625424/The_Oprah_Effect?slide=2 http://www.biography.com/people/oprah-winfrey-9534419 http://www.oprah.com/pressroom/Oprah-Winfreys-Official-Biography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oprah_Winfrey_Show#Interviews http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey

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