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Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Born out of wedlock to vernon Winfrey and Vernite Lee.
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Was raised on a farm by her grandmother, Hattie Mae. She lived there for six years.
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Lived with her mother in an inner city ghetto in Mississippi. During this time, she was abused a raped by various family members and friends.
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After running away, almost being put in a juvie center, and giving birth to a baby, whom passed away shortly after birth, she moved to Nashville, TN with her father. He had become a successful businessman.
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Due to the strictness of her father, she become an honors student and did graduate from East Nashville High School. She even won a scholarshop to Tennessee State University.
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Crowned Miss Black Tennessee and Miss fire Prevention. She was also a contestant in Miss Black America Pageant.
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Graduated from Tennessee State University with a Degree in Speech and Performing Arts.
Became the first black TV news anchor reporter with WTVF-TV -
Hosted the local version of 'Dialing for Dollars'
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Her show begins.
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Named Broadcaster of the Year by the International Television and Radio Society.
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Starred in the movie Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones (documentary) .
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Won Best Talk Show Host at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
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Became the first woman and the only black on Forbes list of 400 richest Americans.
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September 16: Oprah announced the start of her successful on-air book club.
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Named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people of the year.
