Oprah Winfrey is a self­-made billionaire. She is a renowned public figure, better distinguished for her success and generosity.

What makes Winfrey a truly inspirational African American figure? To me, it is her determination for self-­improvement and her courage to overcome every limitation.

Life for Winfrey was not always a luxurious dream. She was born in a life of rural poverty in Mississippi and raised by a single mother. During her childhood, the conditions were so difficult that at times Winfrey was left with no choice but to wear potato sacks as clothing. She was pregnant at the age of 14 as a result of sexual abuse, the baby dying shortly after she gave birth. She had little support from her mother and was sent to live with her father, Vernon Winfrey, who was a barber in Tennessee.

But Winfrey didn’t let herself be held back by the instability and problems in her life. Instead, she kept focused and fought harder for a better one.

During her senior year of high school, she landed a job on a radio station. There, she began co-anchoring the local news at the age of 19.

A few years later, she moved on to work on the field of television where the first “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was broadcasted in 1986. She stood out and quickly prevailed during a time when talk show hosts were predominantly white males.

Winfrey’s success and recognition only increased from that point on. She became a millionaire by the age of 32.

Nevertheless, Winfrey’s triumphs rely not only on all that she has achieved for herself, but more so on her benevolent and altruistic spirit for others.

She is selfless and passionate about helping others. Over her years of success, she has donated millions of dollars to various organizations, charities, foundations and other projects, such as the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

Winfrey is truly an inspirational person because she refused to let the poverty of her youth keep her from achieving a life of abundant prosperity. She is a powerful role model of strength and character with a defiant tenacity to fight against all odds.

In the words of Winfrey, “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.”