We thought we couldn’t love and admire Oprah more than we do, but after ‘that’ speech at the 2018 Golden Globes, it’s no wonder that calls for #Oprah2020 went viral. Media mogul, actress, chat show queen, philanthropist, how long have you got?
Speculation is rife about whether the Oprah should become the President of the United States. However, as much as we would like for Oprah to be POTUS, we still need her to be Oprah! The role of POTUS is thankless and exhausting, especially when she could have so much more impact by continuing to be a motivating role model for all of us!
We’re all about celebrating black excellence so join us as we recall all the times Oprah gave us inspiration for days.
When she was persistent in establishing her career
Everyone has their fair share of downs in their careers. Before she became the media mogul that she is today, Oprah was fired from her first television job because she was seen as “unfit for TV”. Well who has the last laugh now? The Oprah Winfrey Show went on to be the highest-rated talk show in history.
Her financial growth and business success
With a net worth of $2.8 billion, Oprah is the richest African American in the US and North America’s first black multibillionaire. Her empire includes her hugely successful magazine “O, The Oprah Magazine” and OWN, Oprah Winfrey Network.
Her philanthropic efforts
When it comes to giving back, Oprah is the Queen of Philanthropy. Ranked by Business Week as the greatest black philanthropist in American History, Oprah has donated millions to a variety of different charities and foundations. In 2012, she gave more than 400 scholarships to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2004, she invested money in building the school Leadership Academy for Girls in Johannesburg, South Africa and in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, she used Oprah’s Angel Network to help raise money for relief efforts. This brought in over $11 million.
That time she publicly endorsed Obama’s Presidential campaign
In 2007, when Barack Obama was still a Senator, campaigning to become the president of the US, Oprah joined many other high-profile personalities to publicly support him. She attended rallies in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina. Her endorsement alone was estimated to have brought in over a million votes in the 2008 Democratic primary race.
Her celebrity Interviews
When it comes to getting the most celebrated people to spill the tea, Oprah has it! It’s easier to compile a list of who she hasn’t interviewed, than those she has! Her 1993 interview with Michael Jackson, became the most watched interview ever and the fourth most-watched event in US TV history.
Her success as the queen of the talk show
Oprah is thought to have revolutionised the tabloid talk show genre. No doubt due to her willingness to discuss issues that weren’t being spoken about during the 20th century. All topics were on the table. The Oprah Winfrey Show is one of the longest-running daytime talk shows in history, receiving 47 Daytime Emmy Awards.
Her heart and soul acting skills
She entered the world of the big screen as far back as 1986 with The Colour Purple? She really can do it all! Her performance resulted in an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Since then, she has shone in The Butler and the small screen’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Her efforts were recognised in this year’s Golden Globes where she was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the first black female recipient of the award.
Her speech at the 2018 Golden Globes
Need we say anymore?
