-
The Birth of Oprah Winfrey
On January 29, 1954 Oprah Winfrey was born. She was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Her mother was Vernita Lee and her father was Vernon Winfrey. Shortly after, her parents split and Oprah was left with her strict grandmother on a farm. -
Period: to
The Life Oprah Winfrey
-
Oprah; Advanced at age 2
Oprah learned to read at age 2. Her grandmother had taught her while on the farm. She knew more about Jesus than any other kids at her church. She skipped kindergarden and went straight to 1st grade. Then she was promoted to 3rd grade after. -
Paid to Talk
When she was 12 years old she started feeling secure and happy for that brief time period. She began making speeches at social gatherings and churches when she was 12. She made the speeches in Nashville, Tennessee where her Dad lives. One time she earned 500 dollars for a speech. She knew she wanted to be "paid to talk". -
A Negative Effect On Teenage Years
Through her teenage years she had a rough time, she moved back and forth from her mother and father's house repeatedly. It also didn't help that she was sexually abused starting at age 9. She was abused by men that were in her family. Then when she was 14 she found out she was pregnant and hid it from her Dad. With all the stress she had the baby prematurely at 7 months. The baby passed away a month after. -
An Excellent Student!
In Nashville Tennessee she went to East Nashville High School. She continued being an excellent student. She participated in drama club, debate club, and student council. She won a full scholarship to Tennessee State University.
-The following year she was invited to a White House Conference on Youth. -
Miss Black Nashville
She won Miss Black Nashville and Miss Tennessee during her freshman year of college when she was 17. Then later on the Nashville Colombia Broadcasting System (CBS) offered her a job; Oprah turned it down twice, but finally took advice from a speech teacher and accepted. -
The Beginning of her TV Career
Oprah Winfrey was schedualed in Baltimore to do a local news update. She was soon moved to the morning talk show Baltimore is Talking. -
Moving On
In January, the year of 1984 Oprah took over as an anchor on AM Chicago. The show was constantly last in ratings. She changed the highlighting of the show from traditional woman's isussues to current and debatable topics. -
Renaming
In September of 1985 they renamed AM Chicago to the Oprah Winfrey Show. The show was also expanded to an hour. -
Acting Career
In 1986 Quincy Jones saw Oprah on TV and thought she would make a fine actress. Oprah always wanted a career in acting and this was her big shot. She played in the movie The Color Purple. -
Hew Own Comany
Oprah wanted to produce the topics she wanted to see on Tv. So in August she created her own company. Harpo Inc, which is Oprah spelled backwords. -
Her Popularity
Oprah's success from the movie increased rapidly. The rights to distribute a television program was pased and the movie aired in more than 138 cities! -
An Award
Oprah won a special award for the arts for unique contributions to the city's artistic community. (Chicago) She was named Woman of Achievemnet. Both from the Chicago Acadamy. -
Emmys
The Oprah Winfrey Show also won several Emmys for the Best Talk Show and Oprah was honored as Best Talk Show Host. -
Reading
Oprah wanted to get America reading and she knew she could do it. So she created her own reading club on her show. The club ensured Oprah as the most powerful book marketer in USA. -
Little Facts
For each of Oprah's seasons (25) she has Favortie Things each year. She always had adventures with her best friend Gayle. Oprah changed the lives for many popular people now a days. (Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz) Oprah also interviewed so many poeple in her 25 seasons. -
The Last of her Show
On November 20, 2009 Oprah announced that the 25th season would be the last.
