Oprah Winfrey
From a childhood in poverty to one of the most influential voices in media.
Where it began
Born in rural Mississippi in 1954 and raised in poverty during a difficult childhood.
The challenge
She faced hardship and instability in her early years.
The turning point
She found strength in reading and public speaking, and began working in radio and TV news as a teenager and young adult.
The journey
The Oprah Winfrey Show aired nationally from 1986 to 2011, and she went on to build a media company.
The impact
She has funded education programmes, including a girls' school in South Africa, and received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
What we can learn
- Your past does not have to write your future.
- Reading can change your life.
- Use your platform to lift others.
Tell the story
Speaking challenge
Retell Oprah Winfrey’s story in 1 minute: where they began, the challenge, the turning point, and one lesson for you.
Say it out loud. Nobody is listening — that’s the point. Mistakes are allowed.
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