Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most famous, popular and respected media personalities of our times. She is one of the most successful and sensible media leader and T.V host. She rose from a humble background and today is an inspiration for many women all around the world.
Oprah Winfrey was born in Mississippi (USA) on January. 29. 1954, to Ms. Vemita lee, who worked as a house maid and Mr. Vernon Winfrey, a coal miner. Being from a very rural and impoverished background. she did not have a normal childhood. She was abused as a child. But she was a gifted child – talked very well, recited verses very well and became teacher’s pet. She was encouraged by her grandmother, to read. Her father too encouraged her to study. In school she was good in speech and oration. She was voted the ‘most popular girl’ in school and today she is the most popular woman in media.
She started her work. very early in her life at a local radio station, Nashville as a news reader, in 1971. Her natural talent never went unnoticed, – in 1973 she became the first African- American T.V correspondent and youngest (19 yrs) person to co- anchor news on WTVF- TV. Early exposure to media and her confidence landed her in a good position as a co-host of a leading talk show, in Baltimore. Looking for better prospects. in 1984, she re- located to Chicago to host TV’s morning talk show,’ A.M. Chicago’. Within a month it became the number one show and she was the talk of the town. In 1985, the show was renamed as “Oprah Winfrey Show” which became very popular and through cable T.V channels, has reached many homes all over the world. Today the show is even produced by her.
As a talk show host, her spontaneous & honest interaction, empathy with her guests, open emotions. confessions(during some serious topics) handling of issues with sensitivity and her sense of humor has set her apart from other talk show hosts. She has a great ability to connect with people/ her audience. She is a very expressive and entertaining host and is the favorite 01 many viewers. In 1988, she was named People’s choice awards Favorite talk- show host.
Her popularity and fame grew in leaps and bounds. Awards came her way when in 1996 she received the Gold Medal Award from international radio and television society.
She has many dimensions to her personality. She is an actress, a book critic, publisher and a philanthropist. The O, Oprah magazine is a big seller. She has always devoted her time, fame and money doing funding for good cause. She opened the ‘Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy’ for girls of South Africa in 2007 and considers them her daughters. She was awarded the Humanitarian Award by the Else Wiese! Foundation for Humanity in 2007.
She is a black American woman, who achieved the present status by her hard work, courage and dedication. She is a billionaire- richest Afro- American women and named one of the 100 ‘Most influential Women’ by Tune magazine. She took talk show on T.V to a different level and still is going strong with no rivals. Through her show, they touch many lives by donating things and even making true some of the needy people’s dream. It’s also a show which teaches people to experience happiness by making others happy.
Oprah started talking at the age of three and is still talking! Her journey from a local radio broad- casting station to world audience is amazing. She is the ‘queen’ of talk shows and an example to follow for those who want to make a difference.
