Oprah Winfrey is known all around the world as a talk‑show host, actress, producer, and helper of many people. But her life didn’t start out easy. When she was young, she faced a lot of hard times. Instead of giving up, she used those challenges to grow stronger and kinder. Today, people admire Oprah because she shows what courage, kindness, and determination can do. She became one of the most successful African American leaders of the twentieth century, and many people call her one of the most influential women in the world.