Quick Facts About Oprah

OprahEarly Life

Oprah was born on the 29^th January, 1954 and went to live with her grandparents as her parents divorced. Because she was sexually molested by relatives, she ran away from home and, eventually, she went to live with her very strict father who insisted that she read every day. No doubt, as a consequence of her earlier life, she now struggled with drugs and anti-social behavior. She also gave birth to a premature baby.

Education

However, her life changed when she won a scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she majored, as an honors student, in Speech Communications and Performing

First Job

Arts. Oprah started her broadcasting career at the age of 17 when she went to work for WVOL radio in Nashville, Tennessee, while still at school. Her first appointment as anchor came with WTVF-TV two years after joining WVOL.

Career Progress

She joined WJZ-TV news as a co-anchor in 1976 and, two years later, became a co-host for their 'People are Talking' show. From there it was a meteoric rise until, finally, in 1985, her show in Chicago was renamed, "The Oprah Winfrey Show." It took less than a year for her to become the number one talk show in the United States and to go on to win many awards, including, the Daytime Emmy Ward and the Broadcaster of the Year award. Oprah also starred in Steven Spielberg's film, 'The Color Purple'.

Forming Her Own Company

Oprah formed her own production company, Harpo Products, Inc., in 1986. Today, it is one of the largest and most powerful production companies in the world. Her shows are watched by millions of people daily all over the world. Oprah also publishes The Oprah magazine and the Oprah at Home magazine. She is shortly to start her own radio program on XM satellite radio where listeners can speak directly to her magazine staff.

Her Greatest Love?

Perhaps, Oprah's greatest love is the book club she formed. She encourages people to read and this, no doubt, is a carry over from the days her very strict father forced her to read a book a week.