Oprah, the star of the Oprah Winfrey Show, is one of the richest women in the world, according to various Forbes magazine lists. She is also one of the most influential people on the planet. With the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Oprah Magazine, and the Oprah Book Club, Oprah is a complete success who has followed the American Dream.

However, according to the Oprah Winfrey biography, Oprah's early life contrasted her current identity and success on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Born on January 29, 1954 in Mississippi, Oprah's beginnings were of the humble sort. Her early life was in the midst of poverty and constant struggle. By the age of 9, Oprah was molested by a cousin, uncle and a family friend. By 14, she was pregnant and eventually lost the child.

However, in contrast to her dark days, Oprah was a brilliant child who excelled in school and skipped 2 grades. She was accepted to a high school in the suburbs due to her grades and she eventually received a scholarship to Tennessee State University. She also won the Miss Black Tennessee Beauty Pageant.

Oprah's grandmother always said that since Oprah could talk, she always wanted to be onstage.