When contemplating on who to write about and why, I came across an abundance of honorable African American figures. Though, they are all extraordinary deserve recognition, I chose to further go into details of their lives before officially deciding. While reading, I noticed Oprah Winfrey and in minutes of reading, I instantly became inspired by her story and many accomplishments.
Oprah Gail Winfrey, the first African American female billionaire, known for her acting, producing, and TV show hosting. Everybody knows her success, but not the journey she traveled to get where she is today. She faced many hardships. From being molested on going by her mother's friends and uncles, to being given away by her mother at birth then again as a teenager.
…show more content…
She won an oratory contest, which awarded her a full scholarship to Tennessee State University. She allured the observation of the local black radio station, and began working part-time. She started working in local media where she was the first African American and youngest news anchor at WLAC-TV. From 1976-1983, she plunged into a moving spree hosting and co-hosting shows.
In 1983, she arrived in Chicago to host a low-rated morning talk show. With Oprah in charge, springing the show from the lowest to the highest rated talk show in Chicago. She was soon persuaded to sign a deal with King World. Originally named "At the Movies", expanded to a full hour and renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show" broadcasted nationally September 8,1986. The show gained popularity and high rating so until its departure in May 2011,
Once her show aired nationally, Oprah became a millionaire at 32. At the age of 41, she negotiated ownership rights and established her own television program and production company. In 2000, her net worth was 800 million. Forbes' international rich list enrolled Oprah the worlds only African American and African American female billionaire 2004-2006. As of 2014, her total net worth was approximately 2.9 billion