Oprah Winfrey

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Oprah Winfrey, the greatest Black philanthropist by Business Week in 2005 has made her way to her viewers’ hearts and has become a role model citizen for everyone. Her selflessness and charitable character has caused her to continuously raise and donate millions of dollars. Oprah was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi on January 25, 1954 to Vernita Lee and Vernon Winfrey. When she was born, her parents were not married so she lived with her grandmother and completed her secondary education at East High School in Nashville. After a trip to the White House, a local radio show asked her for an interview regarding it. Her voice and speech delivery impressed the radio show so much they offered her a job at the age of 16. Winfrey also won a public speaking contest. She studied speech and acting at Tennessee State University and was then given the job as a news reporter. At 19, Winfrey already made a statement with being the youngest television news anchor and the first African American anchor as well. For 8 years, she was the co-host of “People Are Talking”. In 1984 she hosted A.M Chicago. Her work as Sofia in “Colour Purple” earned her an Academy Award nomination. In 1986 she started the iconic talk show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show”. Later with her continued success in the 1980s she bought the show and started Harpo Productions becoming the third woman to own a major production studio. Winfrey also won two beauty contests. She then launched her own magazine in 2000 and then in 2008 her own television network. Oprah Winfrey soon enough became the first African American female billionaire. Despite her endless success, Winfrey went through struggles equally as tough. When she was 9 years old, her 19 year old cousin raped her and over the... ... middle of paper ... ...out a voice. She has had a hand in launching 35 schools in Haiti, India, China and other South American schools. Her Angel Network has raised over $17 million. Her primary belief is that “Women will change the world”. For her generous donations and admirable charity donations, Winfrey has earned numerous awards and recognitions. Amongst those include the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Presidential Medal for Freedom which is the country’s highest civilian honour. Oprah Winfrey’s journey starts from being in the lows and not bright yet with her dedication, hard work and perseverance she has been able to overcome all the obstacles in her way and to achieve the success she has today. Winfrey is the ideal global citizen and her contributions and selfless acts will surely engrave her name in history as one of the major inspirational philanthropists of time.

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