Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey

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Biography

Oprah Winfrey (born January 29th, 1954) Oprah Winfrey is an American talk show host on her show 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'.

Net Worth: Her net worth was estimated at $2.9 billion. (Forbes, 2013)

Childhood: Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Her mother was Vernita Lee, a teenage housemaid, but there was much speculation as to who her father was. While she thought coal miner Vernon Winfrey was her biological father, several years later a farmer called Noah Robinson, Sr. claimed he was. She lived with her mother and grandmother as a youngster and the family were extremely poor.

Oprah learnt to read and often recited Bible verses. She and her mother than lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a time, before she was sent to be taken care of by Vernon. Oprah has claimed that between the ages of 9 and 13 she was molested by various family members and subsequently ran away from home. She had a child at the age of 14 who died a short time after birth. She attended Lincoln High School before being transferred to Nicolet High School where she was frequently bullied for being poor.

She became a more popular student when she went to East Nashville High School and was known for her drama and speech skills which led her to a scholarship at Tennessee State University. Her first job was at a grocery store and she later landed a part time job as a newsreader on local radio station WVOL.

TV and film career: Oprah Winfrey's early TV career included anchor positions at Nashville's WLAC-TV and Baltimore's WJZ-TV, and host of WJZ talk show 'People Are Talking' and 'Dialling for Dollars'. In the early 80s, Oprah began hosting talk show 'AM Chicago' and was responsible for bringing the show higher ratings. The program soon became 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' and beat 'Donahue' as America's number one talk show. In 2011, Discovery Health Channel was turned into OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

That year saw the final episode of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'. The show saw several high profile celebrity guests including political figures such as Barack Obama and Sarah Palin. Her most famous interview, however, was with Michael Jackson in 1993 which became the most watched interview ever recorded with 36.5 million viewers. As well as hosting, Oprah has also had various production and acting roles.

Her first TV acting job was on 1989 miniseries 'The Women of Brewster Place'. In 1985, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her appearance in Steven Spielberg's 'The Color Purple'. She subsequently went on to produce the Broadway musical adaption. She took on another production and acting venture in 1998 with the movie 'Beloved' alongside Danny Glover and Thandie Newton, but it performed poorly at the box office despite some good reviews.

Winfrey has done a lot for charity, ranking in on the 50 most generous Americans in 2004 and remaining there until 2010. As of 2012 she'd given roughly $400 million to educational causes. In the summer of 2006, Winfrey took her staff and their families (1065 people) on a trip to Hawaii to celebrate two decades on national television, as a thank you for her employee's hard work. Winfrey donated $12 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2013.

The same year she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barrack Obama. Winfrey created Oprah's Angel Network in 1998; a charity that supported charitable projects and provided grants to non-profit organizations around the world, which raised more than $80,000,000. 100% of funds raised went to charity programs as Winfrey handled all administrative costs associated with the charity. The charity stopped accepting donations in 2010 and was later dissolved. After Hurricane Katrina, Winfrey created the Oprah Angel Network Katrina registry, which raised more than $11 million and for which Winfrey gave $10 million.

Personal Life: In 1970 Winfrey dated musician John Tesh. When insecure about her appearance, Winfrey found comfort in reporter Lloyd Kramer, claiming it to be "the most fun romance I've ever had". During her life she has faced struggles with crack cocaine addiction and fluctuating weight. During these times, she has admitted to have been going through a series of difficult relationships.

Winfrey briefly dated film critic Roger Ebert, before later entering into a romance with filmmaker Reginald Chevalier. The relationship came to an end when she met Stedman Graham who she has been with since 1986. Although they were engaged once, they remain an unmarried couple. Winfrey has been best friends with 'This Morning' co-anchor Gayle King for several decades.

Their incredibly close bond has been the subject of much speculation that their relationship is romantic, though both have laughed off this suggestion as nonsense.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

'Trump Went Too Far': Ellen DeGeneres Hits Back At The President's Oprah Criticism


Ellen Degeneres Oprah Winfrey

As could have been predicted, Ellen Degeneres has lashed out at the President after he Tweeted his disdain of Oprah Winfrey over the weekend. She took him down in the ultimate comparison test, proving that Oprah will always be a much more iconic figure for what the USA stands for than Donald Trump will ever be.

Ellen DeGeneres at the 'Finding Dory' premiereEllen DeGeneres at the 'Finding Dory' premiere

During the opening monologue on her show, she spoke about how it was George Washington's birthday and used the topic of Presidents to segue into a discussion of another ridiculous Trump Tweet in which he slammed Oprah Winfrey for her political 60 Minutes debate segment.

Continue reading: 'Trump Went Too Far': Ellen DeGeneres Hits Back At The President's Oprah Criticism

Donald Trump Wants To 'Defeat' Oprah Winfrey After TV Segment


Oprah Winfrey Donald Trump

Oprah Winfrey might be exalted almost to the point of royalty by many, but even she's not safe from Donald Trump's wrath. He blasted the TV personality after she gathered together a group of republican voters and liberal voters to discuss their thoughts on the current president.

Oprah Winfrey at the 'Released' premiereOprah Winfrey at the 'Released' premiere

Despite the fact that Oprah's '60 Minutes' segment was seemingly supposed to be an impartial discussion about Trump's policies, his likability and whether or not he is doing a good job as president, Trump seemed to take it all thoroughly personally and blasted Oprah for her bias via his favourite medium.

Continue reading: Donald Trump Wants To 'Defeat' Oprah Winfrey After TV Segment

Oprah Winfrey Reiterates That She's NOT Running For President


Oprah Winfrey

Sorry everybody - Oprah Winfrey has again reiterated that she has no desire to run for president in 2020.

Ever since the 64 year old TV legend accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes back at the start of January and delivered a rousing speech, speculation has been fervent that Winfrey would be launching a presidential bid to run for the White House in two years’ time.

However, in a new interview that went out on CBS’ ‘This Morning’ on Thursday (February 15th), Oprah once again denied that she had such political intentions.

Continue reading: Oprah Winfrey Reiterates That She's NOT Running For President

Oprah Believes Reese Witherspoon Was Suffering From PTSD After Weinstein Scandal


Reese Witherspoon Oprah Winfrey Salma Hayek Harvey Weinstein

Oprah Winfrey has said that she believes Reese Witherspoon was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in the days after the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal broke last year.

The legendary presenter said in her Super Soul Sunday Conversation special podcast with Salma Hayek that she believed that Witherspoon was acting in a very strange way in the days following the scandal breaking back in October, according to Entertainment Tonight.

“Everyone, including Reese – I’ve said this to her – was acting like, I was seeing some of the girls at my school behave, who were suffering from PTSD. Everybody was acting like they were afraid and they were having the conversation,” Winfrey said in the conversation.

Continue reading: Oprah Believes Reese Witherspoon Was Suffering From PTSD After Weinstein Scandal

Reese Witherspoon Jokes About 'Three-Legged' Magazine Cover Blunder


Reese Witherspoon Oprah Winfrey

It doesn't matter how often magazines are criticised for the way they airbrush celebrities, they just carry on doing so - and sometimes with bizarre results. Reese Witherspoon is the latest to point out the ridiculous standards of fashion magazines when she realised she appeared to have three legs on her recent cover.

Reese Witherspoon at the Screen Actors Guild AwardsReese Witherspoon at the Screen Actors Guild Awards

The 41-year-old actress was amused to discover that photo editors at Vanity Fair had made a huge blunder when they were trying to edit her pose for their 2018 Hollywood Issue, meaning that she somehow managed to end up looking like she had three legs.

Continue reading: Reese Witherspoon Jokes About 'Three-Legged' Magazine Cover Blunder

Oprah Winfrey Rejects Possibility Of Running For President In 2020


Oprah Winfrey Donald Trump

In what will come as a serious disappointment to many, Oprah Winfrey has poured cold water on recent rumours that she’s lining up a presidential candidacy bid, telling an interviewer that she doesn’t “have the DNA” for the White House.

The extremely popular TV host, 63, has been widely touted as a possible Democratic contender for the 2020 presidential election following a passionate speech she delivered at the Golden Globe Awards earlier in January.

However, speaking to InStyle magazine for its March cover, Winfrey scotched the possibility of a White House run.

Continue reading: Oprah Winfrey Rejects Possibility Of Running For President In 2020

Seal Explains His Stance On Oprah-Shaming Meme


Seal Oprah Winfrey

While most observers were keen to heap praise on Oprah Winfrey following her impassioned speech at the Golden Globe Awards, not everyone was impressed by her words. Seal later posted on social media a meme featuring Oprah pictured with Harvey Weinstein and questioned the double-standards of Hollywood.

Seal pictured arriving at LAXSeal pictured arriving at LAX

When Oprah spoke about the systematic abuse of women in the workplace and the lack of justice for many women who tell their stories, it seemed like she was speaking the minds of everyone watching. But British singer Seal wasn't buying any of it, seemingly accusing her of knowing about Harvey Weinstein all along.

Continue reading: Seal Explains His Stance On Oprah-Shaming Meme

Seal Brands Oprah Winfrey "Sanctimonious"


Oprah Winfrey Seal Harvey Weinstein

The growing hype behind a potential Oprah Winfrey presidential campaign doesn’t seem to have everybody enamoured with the idea, with singer Seal dubbing the star as “sanctimonious” and accusing her of being aware of Harvey Weinstein’s misdeeds well before they were made public.

The 54 year old singer launched a stinging attack on the legendary American chat show host, just a few hours after she delivered a rousing speech at the 2018 Golden Globes at the weekend, at which virtually all the female stars wore black in solidarity with the #metoo movement.

Winfrey had told the crowd that “a new day is on the horizon” where nobody will be a victim of sexual violence. That speech sparked a resurgence of interest in long-standing speculation that she might run for president in 2020, with big-name stars throwing their support behind her.

Continue reading: Seal Brands Oprah Winfrey "Sanctimonious"

Cecil B. DeMille Award Winner Oprah Winfrey's Inspiring Golden Globes Speech


Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is one of the most important female figures in the entertainment industry for a great many reasons, but when she became the first black women to land the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes over the weekend, her commitment to justice and female empowerment stood out strongly.

Oprah Winfrey at 'Released' premiereOprah Winfrey at 'Released' premiere

The 63-year-old used this iconic moment in her career, and indeed in the history of film, to reflect on an important moment in her childhood. When she was just 11-years-old, she watched 'Lilies of the Field' star Sidney Poitier become the first black man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor on television; a moment that made history.

Continue reading: Cecil B. DeMille Award Winner Oprah Winfrey's Inspiring Golden Globes Speech

Oprah Winfrey Has Us Hungry For Her New Soup Range


Oprah Winfrey

Media magnate and billionaire Oprah Winfrey is set to extend her business empire by going into the food industry. Specifically, she will release her own line of healthy refridgerated soups and sides with Kraft Heinz this week, something that will no doubt boost the brand's image enormously. 

Oprah Winfrey at a screening for 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks'Oprah Winfrey at a screening for 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks'

The 63-year-old's endorsement of Weight Watchers was second to none, and now she's feeding us up herself with her new range of supermarket soups and side dishes that comes alongside the tagline 'O, That's Good'. Plus, she has been involved in the creation of the recipes herself at the Kraft Heinz kitchen in Chicago, she she can vouch for the quality.

Continue reading: Oprah Winfrey Has Us Hungry For Her New Soup Range

Tyler Perry posing alone and with Oprah Winfrey attending the premiere of 'Boo! A Madea Halloween' at the ArcLight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, California, United States - Monday 17th October 2016

Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry

Oprah Winfrey - US Open Tennis - Day 8 - Celebrity Sightings at Billy Jean King National Tennis Center - New York City, United States - Tuesday 8th September 2015

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey Thursday 16th June 2011 Chairman of 'OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network', is interviewed as part of 'The Cable Show' during the event 'A Conversation With Oprah, Paula Zahn, Host and Executive Producer, 'On the Case With Paula Zahn' at McCormick Place Chicago, Illinois

Oprah Winfrey

Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey - Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey Chicago, Illinois - during Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular at the United Center in Chicago Tuesday 17th May 2011

Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey and Russell Crowe Monday 13th December 2010 Oprah Winfrey skippers a yacht with Russell Crowe on Sydney Harbour in a regatta raced by Oprah audience members. They were being filmed as part of the 'Ultimate Australian Adventure' Oprah shows. Sydney, Australia

Oprah Winfrey and Russell Crowe
Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey Quick Links

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Oprah Winfrey

Date of birth

29th January, 1954

Occupation

TV Presenter

Sex

Female

Height

1.69




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Oprah Winfrey Movies

A Wrinkle in Time Trailer

A Wrinkle in Time Trailer

Time is an extraordinarily complicated thing which does not always behave in the way you...

Selma Movie Review

Selma Movie Review

One of the finest biopics in recent memory, this drama manages to present someone as...

Selma Trailer

Selma Trailer

“What happens when a man stands up and says ‘enough is enough’?” So goes the...

The Hundred-Foot Journey Movie Review

The Hundred-Foot Journey Movie Review

A relentlessly smiley-glowy tone threatens to undo this film at every turn, but it's just...

The Armstrong Lie Movie Review

The Armstrong Lie Movie Review

This biographical documentary about disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong feels eerily gentle compared to filmmaker Alex...

The Butler Movie Review

The Butler Movie Review

This is an strangely slushy movie from Lee Daniels, whose last two films (Precious and...

The Butler Trailer

The Butler Trailer

Cecil Gaines is a modest and dedicated butler at the White House who manages to...

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The Butler Trailer

The Butler Trailer

Cecil Gains is a devoted White House butler who grew up on a simple cotton...

Under African Skies Movie Review

Under African Skies Movie Review

This beautifully assembled documentary traces the creation of Paul Simon's seminal 1986 album Graceland, focussing...

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