Winfrey often talks about her personal secrets on her show. That pulls in viewers. For example, she revealed that she had been sexually abused as a child, and has spoken freely of her struggle with her weight.
Winfrey was born to a poor family in Mississippi in 1954. (4) At the age of 19, she became the youngest person and the first African-American woman to anchor (主持) a news programme.
Her success has not just been on the screen. Her media group includes a women’s TV network and websites for women.
Winfrey’s work has extended to social change. (5)
She testified before the US Senate to establish a national database of dangerous child abusers. President Bill Clinton later signed "Oprah Bill" into law.
A But it also looks at the celebrity’s presence on the Internet and in the media.
B In 1991, she did a lot of work for the National Child Protection Act.
C She was not a very successful woman.
D She began broadcasting while still at high school.
E It placed Winfrey at the top of its annual ranking of the 100 people last week.
F The couple had been tight-lipped about their break-up.