Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is an Emmy Award-winning television talk show host as well as an Academy Award-nominated actress. She is often listed as one of the richest and most admired women in the world, having amassed a multi-billion-dollar fortune with successful ventures such as her hugely influential book club, her magazine (titled simply O), and of course her production company, Harpo Productions, which produces The Oprah Winfrey Show, the Dr. Phil show and others.

Fast Facts

1. Born: January 29, 1954
2. Birthplace: Kosciusko, Mississippi
3. Mother: Vernita Lee
4. Father: Vernon Winfrey
5. Sept. '07 net worth: $2.5 billion
6. The Oprah Winfrey Show is seen in 117 countries ('06 figure)
7. Co-founded the Oxygen cable TV network
8. Co-authored 5 books
9. Once dated film critic Roger Ebert, who she credits with inspiring her to take her show to syndication
10. Celebrated her 51st birthday by having her ears pierced for the first time live on her show¹

Early Life

Winfrey was forced to overcome many early life obstacles, including poverty, rape, and the death of an infant son she had at 14. Only five years later, however, she began co-anchoring local TV news broadcasts. After stays in a number of large markets, she finally landed in Chicago, where she turned around a low-rated local talk show that eventually morphed into the highest-rated talk show in television history, The Oprah Winfrey Show.

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