Oprah Winfrey
When Oprah Winfrey endorses something– an idea, a product or a mindset– billions of people follow in her footsteps.
Oprah Winfrey has amassed the kind of power few have had.
According to Fortune 500, when Oprah praised the Kindle, it sold out before Christmas. She is ranked as No. 6 on the list of “50 Most Powerful Women.”
A savvy businesswoman, Oprah is on top of what is in, which is one of the reason’s her popularity has only climbed. She is active on Twitter and Facebook.
From her Angel’s Network to countless contributions to charities the billionaire finds ways to give back.
Oprah was born on Jan. 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, where she lived with her grandmother until she was six, at which time she went to live with her mother in Milwaukee until age 13.
According to several interviews with the star, Oprah was molested and abused in the early part of her life.
In 1971 she started attending Tennessee State University and began working in radio and television broadcasting in Nashville.
Winfrey moved to Baltimore in 1976 and hosted a TV chat show called “People Are Talking.” It was a hit for eight years until she was recruited by a Chicago TV station to host her own morning show, “A.M. Chicago.”
After years of success with that show, she landed a role in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film, “The Color Purple,” which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
The Oprah Winfrey Show started in 1986, nationally. After a few years, her success allowed her to gain ownership of the program under her own production company, Harpo (Oprah spelled backwards) Productions.
After her launch of “Oprah’s Book Club,” she helped give exposure to many unknown authors. The program continues to be a success today.
In 1999, Oprah launched Oxygen Media, dedicated to creating program dedicated to and about women. She also produces a monthly magazine, “O,” which debuted in 2000.
Oprah announced on No. 20, 2009 that she will end her talk show after 25 years. The last episode will air Sept. 9, 2011.
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most powerful women in business today (photo courtesy traceyrickfoster)