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TV Mogul In Waiting
Photo: Getty Images
It's amazing Oprah Winfrey survived her childhood let alone thrived. The daughter of a single Mississippi mother, Oprah experienced abuse at a young age and eventually went to live with her estranged father. After an ill-fated pregnancy, things turned around. By 19, she was co-anchoring the local news.
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Chicago Bound (1983)
Photo: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
In 1983, Winfrey relocated to Chicago to host a low-rated TV talk show at WLS-TV. Her arrival boosted the show to the top of the ratings in months. Three years later, Winfrey signed a national syndication deal with King World. The show was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show, and the rest is history.
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The Oprah Bill (1986)
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Early on, Oprah set her show apart from tabloid-oriented competitors with a harder edge. She herself confessed to having been an abused child in 1986. Her story and campaign against abuse helped create what became known as the National Child Protection Act. She was present in 1993 when President Clinton signed the bill - which created a national predator database - into law.
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The Color Purple (1986)
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Winfrey showed her range with her celebrated role in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple. Nominated for an Oscar, Oprah continues to dabble with acting, returning to the screen in 2013's The Butler.
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The Michael Jackson Interview (1993)
Photo: John Barrett/Shutterstock
This primetime special was interesting. Jackson -- who hadn't done a full interview in 16 years -- was open and engaging and only a little eccentric. It wouldn't last. The interview drew 62 million viewers, making it the highest-rated TV interview up till then.
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Oprah's Book Club (1996)
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Oprah went against the television tide with this popular segment on her show. Talking about books on TV? It happened. Getting your book on Oprah could turn your novel into a mega-hit best-seller. The so-called 'Oprah editions' of her chosen books eventually sold more than 55 million copies.
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You Get A Car! Everyone Gets A Car! (2004)
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Oprah's studio audience got real lucky one day in 2004 when Oprah gave each and every one of them (276 in all) a car! A $28,000 car at that. Mayhem ensued, though it was short-lived. The cars were considered income. So the winners had to decide if they wanted to keep the car and pay up to $7,000 in taxes. A lot of them sold it. Still, the moment was great while it lasted.
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Dancing On The Couch (2005)
Photo: Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock
It's amazing how much press this incident got. Tom Cruise was in a new relationship with Katie Holmes and expressed his joy to Oprah by jumping on her couch. Many thought him crazy. His career even suffered. Sheesh. People who have gone to prison have taken less bad press than the couch-jumper. Look at Oprah's face! She's not concerned.
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The Presidents
Photo: Jemal Countess/WireImage/Getty Images
Oprah became a key political figure over the years. Her daytime show had a lot of sway on segments of the voting public. So candidates flocked to her. In all, Oprah interviewed four presidents. But it was fellow Chicago native Barack Obama whom she not only supported, but successfully campaigned for in 2008.
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Oprah The Billionaire
Photo: Steve Jennings/Getty Images
In the 1990s, Winfrey's media empire grew to such a point that she became the first black woman billionaire in America. Her wealth was estimated at somewhere around $2.9 billion by Forbes last year, placing her well behind Nigerian oil queen Folorunsho Alakija, whose weath sits at $7.9 billion.
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The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy For Girls (2007)
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Following up on a promise to South African leader Nelson Mandela, Oprah built this school for disadvantaged South African girls. Built at a cost of $40 million, the school accommodates 152 students. The academy hasn't been without its problems, however, including an assault charge against a staffer.
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OWN (2011)
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
After ending her talk show in 2011, Oprah focused her attention on this new network. It had a rocky start, with low ratings and losses estimated at $330 million. But recent moves -- including teaming with Tyler Perry and that infamous Lance Armstrong interview -- have seen ratings improve. I wouldn't count Oprah out just yet - though a proposed Lindsay Lohan reality show may just be Oprah's undoing.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Photo: Everett Collection/CP Images
Photo: Everett Collection/CP Images
Photo: John Barrett/Shutterstock
Photo: Everett Collection/CP Images
Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Photo: Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock
Photo: Jemal Countess/WireImage/Getty Images
Photo: Steve Jennings/Getty Images
Photo: Pan Media Agency/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
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