Oprah Winfrey Research Paper

To describe Oprah Winfrey’s journey in becoming a leader in society in a single phrase, it would be described as a true rags to riches story. Her life started with adversity as an innocent child who was a victim of sexual abuse starting at the age of nine. She endured poverty in her home, raised by a single parent facing several challenges as a teenager, resulting in making poor decisions. Eventually, Oprah was sent to live with her father who ran a strict household, providing Oprah a fresh start with new hopes for her future. Oprah wore her skeletons from her closet on her sleeve as she entered the world of daytime television ready to share her story. Catapulting her to be one of the most wealthiest successful business women of her time. Most

She was raised by her single mother who often worked late nights in order to provide food and shelter. While her mother was away at work, Oprah was often watched by her uncle who molested her from the ages of 9 to 13. Not only was she victimized by her relative she was also sexually assaulted from time to time by friends of her uncle. Wanting so badly to leave behind her misfortune, Oprah turned to the streets as a runaway being careless in her decision making regarding her school work, friends, and sexual partners. Before being sent away to live with her father in another state, Oprah would experience one last struggle as a new mother who later endures the pain of losing a child, her son who passed away as an

She played a role in several movies, started a world famous book club with her viewers and of course her list of favorite things. Oprah has been very giving throughout her career by helping those who are less fortunate and even dabbled in politics, proposing a bill in Congress to help mandate severe punishment to those convicted of sexual crimes against children. Even though she did portray a perfect life, Oprah had a lifelong battle with her weight, which fluctuated on and off camera for many years. At one point Oprah (1989), told her audience “When I started gaining the weight back, I felt I had let people down, and that triggered my greatest fear in life: the fear of not being liked, of not being good enough," (para.20). Although, Oprah was a determined leader to her viewers, she stayed strong and was an advocate for people to learn to love who they