Oprah Winfrey - The Story of an Entrepreneur

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Oprah soon aired a second show on the 'Mad Cow Disease,' with cattle industry representatives on the discussion panel to arrive at a balanced perspective on the issue. Commenting on this, Bill O'Brien, a co-owner of the Texas Beef Group said, "I do not think it repaired the damage. She did not go on the program and eat a hamburger before the world." In February 2000, a federal court dismissed the suit against Oprah stating that though Oprah's show melodramatized the issue, it did not give false information to defame cattle producers. The court also acquitted Lyman, stating that his statements, though strongly stated, were based on established facts. The issue attracted media attention all over the world, highlighting Oprah's immense popularity and influence over her viewers. Oprah, with a business empire worth over $ 1 billion in 2002, was unarguably the most successful female media personality ever. How this lady overcame her disturbed, troubled childhood, and several other problems to become so popular and successful is essentially a story of her entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

Oprah's 'Rags to Riches' Journey

The 'Talk Show' queen, Oprah, was born out of wedlock to Vernon Winfrey and Vernita Lee on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko (Mississippi, US). Named Orpah Gail Winfrey, she became Oprah after Orpah was misspelt in her school records. Her parents separated when she was very young. Following this, she was sent to live with her grandmother, Hattie Mae Lee (Hattie), on a small farm. Hattie laid the foundation of Oprah's career when she taught her to read the Bible. At the age of three, Oprah spent hours reading Bible stories to the animals on the farm. Hattie also taught her many lessons about God and faith. These lessons inspired her (at that tender age itself) to become strong and help people in need. She believed that she had a higher calling and she was sent to 'do good' to others. Public speaking skills were evident in Oprah right from her childhood. In 1957, at less than four years of age, Oprah recited sermons from the Bible at her local church. Oprah loved the attention and applause she received after her recitals. Oprah was an intelligent child who reportedly asked her teachers to advance her to higher grades. At the age of six, Oprah was sent to live with her father at Nashville, Tennessee. Her father and her stepmother, Zelma, noticed her interest in reading and encouraged her by buying more books. Her voracious reading helped her always stay ahead of her classmates. Later that year, she was sent to her mother in Milwaukee. Oprah led a few painful years of her childhood at her mother's. She was sexually abused by her male relatives and acquaintances. These experiences had a profound effect on her and she turned into a promiscuous and problematic teenager. Her mother tried to admit her in a home for troubled teens, but as the home was full, Oprah was sent to live with her father again. The shift to her father's place was a 'turning point' for Oprah. It reportedly put her life back on track. Oprah referred to the reunion with her father as 'my saving grace.' Oprah said that her father was a tough taskmaster, insisting on hard work and discipline. This attitude helped her improve herself in all aspects. In Oprah's words, 'As strict as he was, he had some concerns about me making the best of my life, and would not accept anything less than what he thought was my best.'

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