Oprah Winfrey is one of the most significant people in the world. She is recognized as the richest African-American of the 20th century, the greatest African American Philanthropist, and the most influential woman in the world. Winfrey was born to an unmarried teen mother named Vernita Lee in Kosciusko, Mississippi. After Winfrey's birth, her and mother moved to a poverty stricken rural area to live with her maternal grandmother, in which they lived for Winfrey's first six years of life. Her small family was so poor that Winfrey often wore dresses made of potato sacks and hand-me-down shoes that were often to big for her feet. Her grandmother was able to teach Winfrey to read before age three, because of this Winfrey was able to recite complete bible verses. This earned her the
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Her mother Vernita struggled greatly to support her two daughters, because of this she was often gone working late hours. Winfrey and her younger sister were often left in the care of male relatives. She was often sexually abused, this abuse lasted till the age of thirteen. The emotional turmoil was so intense that Winfrey tried several times to run away, but was unsuccessful due to not having place to go. At fourteen she managed to leave her mothers apartment and became involved with numerous male teenagers. She later stated herself, that she became a "promiscuous" teenager. Winfrey gave birth to a baby boy who later died in infancy. Winfrey was once again emotional devastated and went to live with her father Vernon, in Nashville, Tennessee. Vernon was able to finally provide a stable home for Winfrey. Winfrey began to flourish; she became an honor student at her high school and started winning speech competitions. At age 17 she won the Miss Black Tennessee pageant and was offered her first on the air job for WVOL radio, which served the African American community in
Her mother Vernita struggled greatly to support her two daughters, because of this she was often gone working late hours. Winfrey and her younger sister were often left in the care of male relatives. She was often sexually abused, this abuse lasted till the age of thirteen. The emotional turmoil was so intense that Winfrey tried several times to run away, but was unsuccessful due to not having place to go. At fourteen she managed to leave her mothers apartment and became involved with numerous male teenagers. She later stated herself, that she became a "promiscuous" teenager. Winfrey gave birth to a baby boy who later died in infancy. Winfrey was once again emotional devastated and went to live with her father Vernon, in Nashville, Tennessee. Vernon was able to finally provide a stable home for Winfrey. Winfrey began to flourish; she became an honor student at her high school and started winning speech competitions. At age 17 she won the Miss Black Tennessee pageant and was offered her first on the air job for WVOL radio, which served the African American community in