Oprah's biography (Rough draft)

Born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko Mississippi to a housemaid and a coal miner, Oprah Winfrey has traveled a long way to get to where she is now. Known as the host of the most highly rated television show in history, an Academy-Award nominated actress, a magazine publisher and philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey is truly a pioneer of the 20th century.
During the first six years of her life, Oprah lived in rural poverty with her grandmother Hattie Mae. It is during these early childhood years that Oprah was introduced to the importance of her faith and education. Under her grandmother’s strict supervision, Oprah learned to read at the age of 3 and attended the Buffalo United Methodist Church every Sunday and it is there that she first showed off her public speaking talents. Often reciting bible verses for the congregation, she became the life of the church; a very creative and imaginative child who was always high spirited despite the authoritative nature of her grandmother. Oprah is often quoted talking about her days on the farm with her animals, getting disciplined by her grandmother and greatly appreciating this upbringing that made her who she is.
After moving to Milwaukee with her mother who was on welfare and lived in the ghetto, things started to take a turn for the worst as Oprah went from a bubbly child to a troubled teen. Going back and forth from Milwakee to Nashville to live with mother or father, Oprah led a very tumultuous life battling abuse, rape and an early pregnancy and lost of her child. Eventually, Oprah found stability in her life during her high school years in Nashville. While living with her father, in a structured home, she was able to face reality and positively change her life. With the use of words, a strong voice and public speaking talents which she acquired at a tender age, Oprah accomplished many things in highschool leading her to find her identity and a sense of self that would enable her to become who she is today. She overcame dark and depressive years in poverty as a young child yet she managed to strive. Speaking became a tool which would help her escape the madness of her early teen life.
After receiving a full scholarship to attend Tennessee State University, Oprah made a decision that would forever change her life. She dropped out of college a couple of months before graduation and accepted a full time job as a reporter in Baltimore, Maryland. Ready to spread her wings and detach herself from her father’s strict ways, Oprah left Tennesse with endless dreams and a positive attitude. This new job quickly led her to become a co-host for a morning talk show "People Are Talking" and then led her to "AM Chicago" and finally "The Oprah Winfrey Show". Her life changed rapidly as she fought hard and was handed many great opportunities to mentor millions of people and touch every individual who watched her show and followed her success.
Nearly five years after the start of the Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah became one of the richest African-Americans. Surpassing amazing African Americans such as Bill Cosby, Oprah is believed to be the richest African-American of the 20th century.
Her career as a successful reporter and her passion for the arts make Oprah’s life very unique and almost surreal. In 1985, one year before "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was broadcasted nationally, Oprah starred in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, thirteen years later, Oprah starred in an adaptation of Toni Morrison’s Beloved and in 2005 her production company released a movie adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. Oprah used the novels of these phenomenal African-American women along with her gift to connect with people to send out a message of hope and womanhood all across the world. Along with her movies, Oprah created her O, The Oprah Magazine, Oprah.com and a radio show, Oprah and Friends to conquer the media world and touch everyone’s life. She continues to fight and make the world a communicative place where different people can come together and share the beauty of life.
Today, Oprah strives by helping those around her, crying and laughing with her guests and truly becoming America’s best friend. It is incredible to witness the intensity and fervor she uses to follow her passion and influence millions of people around her.