Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29th 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Oprah's parents were not married her father Vernon Winfrey did not know about Oprah until he received a" dear daddy letter from her mother Vernita Lee. Oprah, name was supposed to be Oprah a biblical name from the book of Ruth, but it was transposed on her birth certificate. Oprah was raised by her grandparents Hattie Mae and Earless lee, for the first 6 years of her life. Oprah could read and write be the age of three. Hattie Mae was strict but loving, she instilled in Oprah reverence for god and the habit of daily prayer. .
When Oprah was 6 she went to live with her mother Vernita.
Lee in Milwaukee Wisconsin when Oprah was 8 she went to live with her father Vernon and his wife Zelma, Oprah thrived and did well at school under their care. She also perfumed in Sunday school programs and at recitals, impressing adults with her verbal abilities. Oprah went to spend the summer with her mother, when her father came to pick her up in the fall Vernita refused to let Oprah go.
During the next five years Oprah lived in a two-bedroom appartment with her mother, step-father, half-brother and sister. When she was nine years old she was raped by her 19 year old cousin. She never told anyone thinking it was her fault it happened. During this time she was molested 2 more times. Because of the molestations she became a sexually promiscuous teenager. At 14 she became pregnant. Oprah was out of control, her mother couldn't handle her and called her father to come and get her. Oprah had been given a second chance at life. .
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Oprahs life with her father was filled with guidance and rules. Vernons high expectations led to many achievements for Oprah during her high school years. She was bright, well read, and a good talker. When Oprah was 16 she was selected by her school as a representative to a White House Conference on Youth.