Learn how Oprah Winfrey went from the shadows to the spotlight overcoming extreme poverty Oprah Winfrey is one-of-a-kind. When we hear her name, we're likely to think immediately of her incredibly famous talk show, which ran for an amazing 25 seasons, from 1986 to 2011. However, she's certainly much more than an entertainer, and the success she's seen in all areas of her life are testament to that. Oprah grew up in a less-than-ideal environment, but was able to not only overcome her hardships bu