THE VOICE

MEDIA MOGUL | ACTRESS | AUTHOR | PHILANTHROPIST | HUMANITARIAN

Starting from nothing, Oprah Winfrey cobbled together an empire. Born into poverty to an unwed teen in rural Mississippi, she would overcome astonishing odds to become the world’s first black female billionaire and the Most Influential Person in America.

Oprah experienced molestation and became pregnant at fourteen but her premature son died in infancy. These experiences fueled a sense of empathy that would ultimately become her calling card.

Articulate and outspoken, Oprah was nicknamed “Preacher” for her ability to recite Bible verses and credits her religious grandmother for encouraging her to use her voice and giving her a positive sense of self-worth and confidence.

Oprah stumbled into radio at sixteen, studied communication on a full scholarship earned by winning an oratory contest and became the first African American woman and youngest person ever to anchor the news at a Nashville station. Ultimately, she landed in Chicago and her television show became the highest rated talk show in America.

She continues to educate, inspire, encourage and teach her audiences that each among them has a divine purpose and that we are all the same, lowest to highest, because we all seek to be seen and heard. Oprah believes if we work to discover our truest, deepest purpose, we can accomplish the unimaginable. She has awarded 100s of grants and gives scholarships to students in the US and abroad.

Oprah is one of the most respected and admired people in history. In recognition of her extraordinary career and contributions, she has received innumerable awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement.