Oprah Winfrey facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

For the talk show, see The Oprah Winfrey Show. For the painting by Shawn Michael Warren, see Oprah Winfrey (painting).

Quick facts for kids Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey in 2016
Born	Orpah Gail Winfrey (1954-01-29) January 29, 1954 (age 72) Kosciusko, Mississippi, U.S.
Education	Tennessee State University (BA)
Occupation	Television presenter actress television producer media proprietor philanthropist author
Years active	1973–present
Works	Media projects
Title	Chairwoman and CEO of Harpo Productions (1986–present) Chairwoman, CEO and CCO of the Oprah Winfrey Network (2011–present)
Partner(s)	Stedman Graham (1986–present)
Children	1
Awards	Full list
Signature

Oprah Gail Winfrey (born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954) is a famous American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and media proprietor. She is best known for her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. This show was broadcast from Chicago for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011.

Oprah Winfrey grew up in challenging circumstances. She was born in rural Mississippi to a young mother. Later, she lived in Milwaukee and then with the man she calls her father, Vernon Winfrey, in Nashville, Tennessee. While still in high school, she got a job in radio. By age 19, she was a co-anchor for the local evening news.

Her natural and heartfelt way of speaking led her to daytime talk shows. After making a local Chicago talk show very popular, she started her own company. Oprah is known for making television interviews more personal and open. She helped change the talk show world. Later, her show focused on books, self-improvement, and positive thinking. She has been praised for overcoming many difficulties to help others.

Who is Oprah Winfrey?

Oprah Winfrey is a global media leader. She is known as the "Queen of All Media." She became one of the richest Black women and wealthiest female celebrities in the world. In 2007, she was often called one of the most influential women globally. She also became a strong voice in politics, supporting Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race. In 2013, President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Early Life and Big Dreams

Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954. Her birth name was Orpah, but people often mispronounced it as "Oprah," and the name stuck. She was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Her mother, Vernita Lee, worked as a housemaid. Her father, Vernon Winfrey, was a barber and later a city councilman.

Oprah spent her first six years living with her grandmother, Hattie Mae, in the countryside. They were very poor, and Oprah sometimes wore clothes made from potato sacks. Her grandmother taught her to read before she was three years old. She also took Oprah to church, where Oprah was called "The Preacher" because she could recite Bible verses. Oprah faced strict discipline during these years.

Facing Childhood Challenges

At age six, Oprah moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to live with her mother. Her mother worked long hours. Oprah faced very difficult and painful experiences during her childhood. At 13, after years of hardship, Oprah ran away from home.

At 14, she experienced a profound loss when her baby was born prematurely and did not survive. She was deeply hurt when a family member shared private details about this difficult time with the media.

From Rebellion to Success

Oprah attended Lincoln Middle and High School in Milwaukee. She later transferred to Nicolet High School. She felt different from her wealthier classmates. She faced a period of rebellion and made some difficult choices. Her mother then sent her to live with her father, Vernon, in Nashville.

Vernon was strict but supportive. He made sure Oprah focused on her education. She became an honors student and was voted Most Popular Girl. She joined her high school speech team and excelled. Oprah said her father "saved me" by guiding her.

First Jobs and College

Oprah's first job as a teenager was at a local grocery store. At 17, she won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant. This caught the attention of a local radio station, WVOL, which hired her part-time. She worked there through high school and her first two years of college.

Oprah won a speech contest, earning a full scholarship to Tennessee State University. She studied communication there. She completed her degree in 1987, after she had already become a successful television personality. Her grandmother had always known Oprah would be a public speaker, saying she was "on stage" ever since she could talk.

Becoming a Talk Show Star

Oprah's career in media began quickly. She became the youngest news anchor and the first Black female news anchor at WLAC-TV in Nashville. In 1976, she moved to Baltimore to co-anchor the news at WJZ-TV. After a short time, she moved to a local talk show called People Are Talking.

The Oprah Winfrey Show's Impact

In 1984, Oprah moved to Chicago to host AM Chicago. The show was not very popular at first. But within months of Oprah taking over, it became the highest-rated talk show in Chicago. A movie critic, Roger Ebert, encouraged her to make a deal to broadcast her show nationwide.

The show was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show and became an hour long. It first aired nationwide on September 8, 1986. Oprah's show quickly became the number-one daytime talk show in America. Her warm and empathetic style connected deeply with viewers. She made people feel comfortable sharing their stories.

In its early years, the show covered many different topics. By the mid-1990s, Oprah changed her show's focus. She began to explore literature, self-improvement, positive thinking, and spirituality. She interviewed celebrities about important social issues. She also hosted special giveaways. Some guests and ideas promoted on her show faced scrutiny from critics.

Expanding Her Media Empire

Beyond her talk show, Oprah also produced and starred in other TV projects. She co-founded the women's cable television network Oxygen. She also became president of Harpo Productions, her own film and TV production company. Harpo Productions created popular shows like Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray.

In 2008, Oprah announced plans to create her own television network. This network, called the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), launched on January 1, 2011. The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired on May 25, 2011.

After her talk show, Oprah continued to work in television. She joined 60 Minutes as a special contributor. In 2018, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened an exhibit about her influence. In 2018, she also partnered with Apple to create new shows for Apple TV+. These included Oprah's Book Club and The Oprah Conversation. In 2024, she hosted a special on AI for ABC.

Oprah's Work in Film and Books

Oprah has also made a significant impact in movies and publishing.

Acting Roles

Oprah co-starred in Steven Spielberg's film The Color Purple (1985). She played the role of Sofia and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also produced and starred in the 1998 film Beloved, based on a famous novel.

She has lent her voice to animated films. These include Gussie the goose in Charlotte's Web (2006) and Eudora, Princess Tiana's mother, in Disney's The Princess and the Frog (2009). In 2018, she starred as Mrs. Which in the film adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time.

Writing and Publishing

Oprah has co-authored five books. She also publishes Oprah Daily magazine. From 2004 to 2008, she published O At Home. Her magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, was called the most successful new magazine in the industry in 2002. It ended its regular print publications in December 2020.

Oprah's company also created the Oprah.com website. This site offers resources and content related to her shows, magazines, and book club.

Her Personal Journey

Oprah's life has been a journey of growth and achievement. She has shared many aspects of her personal story with the world.

A Life of Giving Back

Oprah has been with her partner, Stedman Graham, since 1986. They were engaged in 1992, but they never married. Oprah has stated that she chose not to have more children.

She has also had many close friendships. Her best friend since their early twenties is Gayle King. Oprah also considered Maya Angelou, the famous author, her mentor and close friend.

Oprah was raised as a Baptist. She has spoken about her spiritual beliefs, saying she believes in a "God force that lives inside all of us." She attends The Potter's House, an Evangelical church in Dallas.

Oprah's Influence on the World

Oprah Winfrey is known for her incredible influence. She has been called "arguably the world's most powerful woman" and "one of the 100 people who most influenced the 20th Century."

Inspiring Millions

Life magazine named Oprah the most influential woman and Black person of her generation. She has consistently been ranked among the most admired women in the world. Her ability to connect with people and inspire them is often called "The Oprah Effect."

This "Oprah Effect" is seen in many areas, especially in book sales. When Oprah chose a book for her Oprah's Book Club, it instantly became a best-seller. This helped millions of people discover new books. She also helped launch other successful talk shows, like Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray.

Making a Difference in Politics

Oprah is a political independent. She has used her platform to encourage people to vote and to support candidates she believes in. She famously endorsed Barack Obama for president in 2008. Experts estimated her endorsement was worth over a million votes. She also campaigned for Joe Biden in 2020 and endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024.

In 2022, Oprah started OWN Your Vote. This nonpartisan group helps Black women register and get out to vote. She has also met with world leaders and spoken at important events.

Her Spiritual Message

Oprah has become an influential spiritual leader for many. Her show often focused on uplifting and inspirational topics. Viewers said her show motivated them to help others. A scientific study even found that watching an "uplifting" clip from her show made people more helpful.

She has promoted spiritual teachers and ideas, encouraging people to explore their inner selves. Oprah has also used her voice to speak out on important social issues. She has advocated for animal rights and discussed the importance of understanding different cultures.

Philanthropy and Helping Others

Oprah Winfrey is also a dedicated philanthropist, meaning she gives a lot of money and time to help others. She has given away about $400 million to support education. She has provided over 400 scholarships to Morehouse College.

In 2006, to thank her staff, Oprah took them and their families on a vacation to Hawaii. In 2013, she donated $12 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom that year.

Oprah has purchased land in Maui, Hawaii, where she runs an organic farm. She helps restore damaged natural areas. After a devastating fire in Maui, she distributed supplies to survivors. She also helped set up the People’s Fund of Maui, personally donating $25 million to the cause.

Oprah's Angel Network

In 1998, Oprah created Oprah's Angel Network. This charity supported projects and gave grants to nonprofit organizations worldwide. It raised over $80 million. Oprah personally paid for all the charity's administrative costs. This meant that 100% of all donations went directly to help people. The charity stopped accepting donations and closed in May 2010, as her show was ending.

Building a School in South Africa

In 2004, Oprah traveled to South Africa to highlight the challenges faced by children affected by poverty. She visited schools and orphanages and gave Christmas presents to 50,000 children. She asked viewers to donate to Oprah's Angel Network, raising over $7 million.

Oprah invested $40 million to establish the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. This school opened in January 2007 in Henley on Klip, South Africa. It provides a top-notch education for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. The school has modern classrooms, labs, a library, and a theater. Nelson Mandela praised Oprah for helping others after overcoming her own difficult youth. Oprah teaches a class at the school via satellite.

Awards and Recognition

Oprah Winfrey has received many awards and honors throughout her career.

American Library Association Honorary Membership (1997)
Honorary degrees from many universities, including Princeton University, Howard University, and Harvard University.
Mural including her image by Shawn Michael Warren in Chicago (2020)
Portrait of her by Shawn Michael Warren for the National Portrait Gallery (2023)
19 Daytime Emmy Awards (including Lifetime Achievement Award)
2 Primetime Emmy Awards (including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award)
A Tony Award
A Peabody Award
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy Awards
Two competitive Academy Award nominations
Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2021)
National Women's Hall of Fame (1994)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2013)
Spingarn Medal from the NAACP (2000)

Oprah Winfrey Quotes

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”
“Surround yourself only with people who are going to take you higher.”
“You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.”
“You don't become what you want, you become what you believe.”

Interesting Facts About Oprah Winfrey

Winfrey at the White House for the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors

Her first name was originally spelled Orpah on her birth certificate. This was after a biblical figure. But people often mispronounced it, and "Oprah" became the name everyone used.
Oprah's grandmother, Hattie Mae, taught her to read before she was three years old. She also took Oprah to church. There, Oprah was nicknamed "The Preacher" because she could recite Bible verses.
Oprah says her grandmother encouraged her to speak in public. She "gave me a positive sense of myself."
As a child, she would play games. She would interview her corncob doll and the crows on her family's fence.
A genetic test in 2006 showed that her family line came from the Kpelle people in what is now Liberia. Her genetic makeup was mostly African.
Oprah had three younger half-siblings. Her half-brother Jeffrey died from HIV/AIDS-related causes in 1989.
Oprah's first job as a teenager was working at a local grocery store.
At age 17, Oprah won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant.
Oprah started her media career as a newscaster. She worked at a local black radio station, WVOL, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Oprah co-starred in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple (1985). She played the character Sofia. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance.
In the 2008 presidential election, Oprah supported Barack Obama.
In 2018, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened a special exhibit. It showed how much Oprah influenced culture through television.
In 2021, she interviewed Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry. This interview was watched globally.
Oprah has written or co-written five books.
She publishes O, The Oprah Magazine. She also published O At Home from 2004 to 2008.
Oprah's company created the Oprah.com website. It offers resources and content related to her shows, magazines, book club, and charity.
The Wall Street Journal created the term "Oprahfication." This means sharing personal confessions as a way to heal.

Images for kids

Winfrey joins Barack and Michelle Obama on the campaign trail (December 10, 2007)
Winfrey in 2014
Winfrey speaking at Moore's inauguration, 2023
Winfrey filming in Denmark in 2009

Filmography

Oprah Winfrey has acted in and produced many films and television shows throughout her career. Some notable roles include Sofia in The Color Purple and Gloria Gaines in The Butler. She has also lent her voice to animated characters and served as an executive producer for numerous successful projects.