Oprah Winfrey is definitely one of the most recognizable women in the United States. She came to prominence through The Oprah Winfrey Show, which aired for 29 seasons, but she wears many hats. Having made a career for herself as an actress, philanthropist and media mogul, Winfrey has shattered many glass ceilings over the course of more than 45 years in media.

Continue on to learn more about one of American history's most successful women.

Oprah Gayle Winfrey was born on January 29th, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi then raised in Milwaukee. Winfrey moved around the country a little bit before settling in Chicago where her television career began.

Photography: Wikimedia Commons/Alan Light

Winfrey made a name for herself through her work on AM Chicago – a low-rated, half-hour morning talk show. The first episode aired in January 1984 and within months it overtook TV veteran Phil Donahue's show as the highest-rated morning program in the city. Shortly after in 1986, she signed a syndication deal, lengthened the show to one hour, and changed the name to, The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Photography: Wikimedia Commons/Greg Hernandez

Oprah continues to chase success and create opportunities for those coming up behind her. She has her own production company, Harpo Studios, and in 2011, she founded the internationally syndicated television network, OWN.

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OWN features many up-and-coming actors, writers and producers; giving them all a strong start for their careers. Winfrey also legitimizes numerous authors by featuring them in Oprah’s Book Club.

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A seal of approval from Oprah is typically a one-way ticket to stardom and success as many people have come to trust her judgment. In 2015 Winfrey helped revamp the Weight Watchers brand and gain a ton of new memberships by becoming one of their official spokespersons.

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She gives back to communities, both in the United States and abroad. In 2004, Winfrey opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Meyerton, South Africa. She made a whopping $40 million investment into starting the school.

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Among all her accomplishments Winfrey is best known for her revolutionary daytime talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran from 1986 until 2011. As a host, she grew into more of a spiritual leader than a TV host. Winfrey captured an audience of more than 22 million people on her way to becoming one of the most well-revered personalities in TV history.

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