Oprah Winfrey

Born in poverty in rural Mississippi to a single mother, Oprah faced many hardships as a young girl.

 

After years of physical and mental abuse she ran away from home at the age of 14. She started working as a local news co-anchor on radio at the age of 19.

 

In 1983, aged 29, Winfrey relocated to Chicago to host a low-rated half-hour morning talk show. Within months the show went from last place in rating to becoming the highest rated talk show in Chicago. The show was taken Nationally and renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show".