There are few tales quite as inspirational or as defining for women everywhere than that of Oprah Winfrey. As many people may know her as the juggernaut entrepreneur and wildly popular television host of the Oprah Winfrey Show, too few are aware of her struggle and unique journey to become the icon she is today.
Being the richest African American of the 21st century doesn’t just happen by accident – she is currently valued at $2.6 Billion and has inspired a legion of followers and other successful entrepreneurial women in her stead.
From Ashes
You wouldn’t expect the daughter of an unmarried teenage housemaid to become arguably one of the most influential women of our time – but here we are. She was raised in extremely poverty-stricken circumstances, often being teased at school for the extent of her upbringing.
There’s one anecdote that is quite well known that conceptualizes the level of poverty she was residing in where she would wear dresses made out of potato sacks to school. Her familial circumstances were not ideal either, as a child she was a victim of sexual abuse from family members. A trauma that would end up coming back in the form of catharsis during a special episode of her television show.
It was not until she was a little older and scored her first job at a local radio station that the cogs began to turn in her favor. It was at this station where she began to impress her superiors with her signature oratory ability, with her passion and initiative ultimately illuminating the pathway to bigger opportunities and more responsibilities.
Eventually she was in the unique position of being offered a television contract that would ultimately become The Oprah Winfrey Show.
A Legacy In Stone
Her story has been recognized as being one of the true rags-to-riches ones in our time. Where the sheer determination and overall competency in her field allowed her to blossom from the darkest of circumstances and become an icon and inspiration for generations to come.
If there is one lesson to be taken from her story and legacy, it is – there is no such thing as too far gone.
