Oprah Winfrey

Women Warriors

Honoring Women Who Fought Their Way to Greatness

Oprah Winfrey-Talk Show Queen



	Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Oprah’s original name was Orpah after the Moabite woman in the Bible. Everyone in the family kept on calling her Oprah so this nickname became the name by which she is knowned today. Until she was six years old, she lived with her grandmother because her own parents could not take care of her. Oprah’s grandmother taught her scriptures from the Bible and how to read.

			When Winfrey was six years old, she moved in with her mother. Living with her mother was very hard. Oprah was molested by cousins and family members while she was with her mother. This caused Oprah’s behavior to become out of control. Oprah’s mother did not know what was going on, so she sent Winfrey to her father's home to live.

Oprah’s father was very strict. This was good for Oprah because it helped her to become a better person. Oprah’s staying with her father kept her on the right track. Participating in drama plays at school is how Oprah became interested in show business. Her first big opportunity in television was being the co-anchor on a local show “People are Talking.” People started to like her “down to earth” personality. Oprah now has her own talk show with more than six million people watching her every day. She is one of the richest women in America, and is continuously doing great deeds for people in need, around the world.
		"My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment." - Oprah Winfrey
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