Oprah Winfrey was born into poverty in Mississippi, but has become one of the most influential women in the world.
In her youth she had to overcome abuse and sexual assault on a regular basis. She ended up having a premature birth at 14, which unfortunately passed away from complications.
After her teen pregnancy she was sent to live with a man she now calls her father, Vernon Winfrey.
While she was still a teenager she landed a job in radio, by 19 she was co-anchoring the local news.
Her on air personality was a perfect fit for daytime talk shows popularized by Phil Donahue in the '80s. She soon took a number three local talk show in Chicago and quickly brought it to number one.
Oprah Winfrey rose to popularity by focusing on the viewers personal growth. She is also credited for being one of the first people to bring LGBT people into the mainstream on her show in the early 90's.
In 1994 she was admitted to the women's Hall of Fame, and is known for revolutionizing the modern day talk show into a more viewer centric focused show. Almost all day time talk shows now follow the format she pioneered.
Oprah showed her true influence when she endorsed Barack Obama for president on her show and is credited for over a million popular votes for Barack in the 2008 election. Oprah was later awarded the presidential medal of freedom in 2013.
Oprah now runs the OWN network, and continues to be an example and inspiration for women all over the world.
Oprah demonstrates that with hard work, persistence, and being your true self you can achieve greatness.
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