“America's Supermom”: Oprah Winfrey Turns 70

If it's more important, celebrities, athletes and politicians in America are sitting on Oprah Winfrey's TV sofa: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan after they left Great Britain, Barack Obama on his way to the White House or professional cyclist Lance Armstrong. Later he was accused of doping.

With her sensitive, gentle and patient nature, Winfrey allows herself to express herself extensively and openly even on unpleasant topics – and in doing so draws millions of viewers to their screens. The host, who turns 70 on Monday, is almost like a kind of “supermom of the nation.” She doesn't want to make herself the leader, and Winfrey has made that clear time and time again — even if many of her fans yearn for it. In recent years, Winfrey has always actively supported her favorites, such as Obama or Democrat Stacey Abrams, but has always ruled out running for office.

Winfrey, who also works as an actress and producer and has her own television channel OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network), is one of the most influential women in America and beyond. According to Forbes magazine, his net worth is said to be 2.8 billion dollars (about 2.6 billion euros). His personal network includes countless influential and famous people.

Winfrey was born in the US state of Mississippi in 1954 to a one-year-old mother, raised in poverty, who was raped at the age of nine, became pregnant at the age of 14 and lost her son soon after birth. But Winfrey didn't give up, moving to Tennessee and getting a job in radio while still in high school. After school he became a news anchor for a local TV station.

Winfrey's forte since the beginning has been emotional interviews, which is why she moved from news anchor to talk studio. She later got her own “Oprah Winfrey Show,” which became the most successful talk show in American television history. When the show ended in 2011 after 25 years as host, countless fans mourned her. Even then, he remained a voice of sorts for the American conscience.

Winfrey is a voice, especially for black people in America. She sees her victory as “compensation” for those who have suffered more than her in the fight for equality. More recently, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington unveiled a portrait of Winfrey in a purple dress by artist Shawn Michael Warren.