Renaissance WomanWhen Oprah Winfrey told her 49 million viewers, "She stopped me from eating another hamburger!" (Tannen) about mad cow disease, he didn't know that it would cost the beef industry $12 million (Deborah Tannen). Texas ranchers tried to sue Oprah for causing this massive downfall, but she would win (Deborah Tannen). Oprah Winfrey was once a constantly abused thirteen-year-old girl. She is now arguably the most famous African American woman and her talk show is considered the most talked about show in America. His show has influenced many to change their lives and help others. Abraham Lincoln once said, “I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards.” (Inspirational Quotes: Achievements). This perseverance quote could describe his life. Oprah Winfrey's abusive childhood pushed her to do something for herself and others. Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, and lived with a poor Baptist family (Wikipedia). His parents, Vernon Winfrey and Vernita Lee, were not married and were still teenagers at the time of his birth (Wikipedia). He lived with his grandmother where he would learn to read aloud and recite sermons at age 3 (America's Beloved Best Friend). At the age of 13 he moved to Milwaukee with his mother and from there the troubles began (America's Beloved Best Friend). As a teenager she would face sexual abuse and harassment from her relatives, her cousin, family friends and her uncle (Victoria Walker). Oprah would keep this secret and suppress her anger, which will lead to problems (Victoria Walker). She allegedly ran away from home repeatedly and was sent to juvenile detention, but was denied admission due to the overcrowded detention area (America's Beloved Best Friend). At the age of 14 she was impregnated by one of her abusers, but the baby would be stillborn, which would devastate Oprah (Victoria Walker). Her mother would send her to live with her father as a last resort. She vowed to change her life (Victoria Walker). In Nashville, Tennessee, her father was almost the complete opposite of her mother (America's Best Friend). He was a disciplinarian, he would give Oprah a midnight curfew and she would have to read a book every week and write a book report (America's Beloved Best Friend).