Note: The Idol series of posts profile individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary levels of success and have made a lasting impact on their specific industry, society, or business in general.
From a young girl born in a small town in Mississippi, to a modern-day business tycoon and one of the world’s most generous philanthropists, Oprah Winfrey has captivated millions of people around the globe. CNN and Time.com have both proclaimed her to be one of the world’s most influential women and she is the only person in the world who has made the list of Time Magazine’s most influential people in the world six years in a row.
Forbes’ international rich list has listed Winfrey as the world’s only black billionaire in 2004, 2005, and 2006 and as the first black woman billionaire in world history. According to Forbes, as of September 2009, Winfrey is worth over $2.3 billion and has overtaken former Ebay CEO Meg Whitman as the richest self-made woman in America.
Overcoming adversity
It’s no secret that Oprah has had her fair share of struggles over the years, namely her constantly fluctuating weight which she is constantly scrutinized over. In addition, Oprah was also the victim of repeated sexual abuse during her adolescence and at the age of 14, gave birth to a premature child who died shortly after birth. In 1995, Winfrey also confessed to drug use:
“And I’ve often said over the years…in my attempts to come out and say it, I’ve said many times I did things in my 20s that I was ashamed of, I did things I felt guilty about, but that is my life’s great big secret that’s always been held over my head.”
Despite those temporary setbacks, Winfrey hit the big time when she relocated to Chicago and hosted a low-rated morning talk-show that quickly surpassed the ratings of Phil Donahue’s program. Within months, it became the highest rated talk-show in Chicago, was expanded from 30 minutes in length to one hour, and was boldly renamed “The Oprah Winfrey Show”. The show was soon syndicated nationally and virtually doubled its audience overnight.
Oprah has since gone on to create and publish her own magazine, star in numerous, award-winning films, and serve as President of the wildly successful multimedia company she founded, Harpo Productions. On February 9, 2006 it was also announced that Winfrey had signed a three-year, $55 million contract with XM Satellite Radio to establish a new radio channel.
A philanthropic superstar
Winfrey has been repeatedly ranked as the most philanthropic celebrity and in 2005, she became the first black person listed by Business Week as one of America’s top 50 most generous philanthropists, having given an estimated $303 million over the span of her career. Through the charity she founded in 2000, Oprah’s Angel Network, Winfrey has raised more than $51 million to support volunteers and and other charitable organizations that “help make a difference in the lives of underprivileged others”.
What defines Oprah’s success?
- Her ability to connect with people. Oprah Winfrey has won the world over with her uncanny ability to connect with people and tap into their deepest emotions. Her empathy for others is unsurpassed by anyone in mainstream media and her passion for helping others in need resonates deeply with people the world over.
- Her indelible generosity. Besides the countless amount of gifts she gives to audience members (including 276 Pontiac G6 cars) Winfrey has raised nearly half a billion dollars for various charities around the world. Much of that amount, including the $10 million she donated to Hurricane Katrina victims, was donated by Winfrey personally.
- Her courage and persistence which allowed her to pursue her true calling. “I was called to talk, to use my voice in some way,” said Oprah. Right out of the gate, she was able to overcome numerous setbacks and capitalize on her passion for broadcasting. Although odds were not stacked in her favor at an early age, Winfrey had the tenacity and wherewithal to pursue and attain her dreams.
Further reading
It should come as no surprise that Winfrey has been the subject of over a dozen books, including numerous biographies. The following five have garnered the highest reviews on amazon.com.
- Oprah Winfrey (Book details)
- Oprah Winfrey: “I Don’t Believe In Failure” (Book details)
- Oprah Winfrey Speaks: Insights from the World’s Most Influential Voice (Book details)
- Up Close: Oprah Winfrey (Book details)
- The World According to Oprah: An Unauthorized Portrait in Her Own Words (Book details)
Your thoughts?
Is there a specific quality in Oprah Winfrey that you find admirable or impressive? Was there a particular topic on one of her programs that you particularly enjoyed and remember? Let’s hear about it in the comments below.
Sources: eSSORTMENT, Hollywood Grind, Wikipedia
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