10 things you didn't know about Oprah Winfrey

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    1. Oprah Winfrey's first talk show was called 'People Are Talking'. Long before her quarter century reign as the highest-rated, most popular daytime talk show in history, Winfrey hosted, along with journalist Richard Sher, the local talk show in Baltimore, Maryland.
    3/12 1. Oprah Winfrey's first talk show was called 'People Are Talking'. Long before her quarter century reign as the highest-rated, most popular daytime talk show in history, Winfrey hosted, along with journalist Richard Sher, the local talk show in Baltimore, Maryland.
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    2. Winfrey's real first name is "Orpah" after the biblical character in the 'Book of Ruth'. Winfrey's mother gave her the name, but with so many people mispronouncing it, Winfrey stuck with Oprah.
    4/12 2. Winfrey's real first name is "Orpah" after the biblical character in the 'Book of Ruth'. Winfrey's mother gave her the name, but with so many people mispronouncing it, Winfrey stuck with Oprah.
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    3. Every week, her email box gets flooded by 12,000 e-mails from fans all over the world.
    5/12 3. Every week, her email box gets flooded by 12,000 e-mails from fans all over the world.
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    4. In 1993, President William Clinton signed the National Child Protection Act, often called the Oprah Bill because of Winfrey's staunch support of getting the bill signed into law. The bill gives parents the assurance that their children are not being cared for by criminals by creating a national database of child abusers.
    6/12 4. In 1993, President William Clinton signed the National Child Protection Act, often called the Oprah Bill because of Winfrey's staunch support of getting the bill signed into law. The bill gives parents the assurance that their children are not being cared for by criminals by creating a national database of child abusers.
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    5. Became - and remains - the first African American female billionaire. Not only was she named the first African American female billionaire in history in 2003 on the Forbes list, she remains the only African American female billionaire on the list. EVER.
    7/12 5. Became - and remains - the first African American female billionaire. Not only was she named the first African American female billionaire in history in 2003 on the Forbes list, she remains the only African American female billionaire on the list. EVER.
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    6. Oprah is more popular than Superman and Elvis. At least according to VH1, who listed the Winfrey as the No. 1 Pop Culture Icon in history. She topped both the Man of Steel and the King of Rock.
    8/12 6. Oprah is more popular than Superman and Elvis. At least according to VH1, who listed the Winfrey as the No. 1 Pop Culture Icon in history. She topped both the Man of Steel and the King of Rock.
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    7. Has a perfect attendance record. Over her 25-year history on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show', Winfrey never missed a day.
    9/12 7. Has a perfect attendance record. Over her 25-year history on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show', Winfrey never missed a day.
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    8. Got the world reading again. Her "Oprah's Book Club," which now lives online, has spurred more than 30 million in book sales for more than 60 books on her coveted list. That's a lot of new readers.
    10/12 8. Got the world reading again. Her "Oprah's Book Club," which now lives online, has spurred more than 30 million in book sales for more than 60 books on her coveted list. That's a lot of new readers.
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    9. Winfrey hasn't won an Emmy since 1998. And for good reason. She withdrew her eligibility after winning the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Prior to that, Winfrey regularly nabbed the Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Variety Show (talk show in our world).
    11/12 9. Winfrey hasn't won an Emmy since 1998. And for good reason. She withdrew her eligibility after winning the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Prior to that, Winfrey regularly nabbed the Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Variety Show (talk show in our world).
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    10. Winfrey was born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a teenage single mother. She experienced considerable hardship during her childhood, saying she was raped at age nine and became pregnant at 14, but her son was born prematurely and he died shortly after birth.
    12/12 10. Winfrey was born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a teenage single mother. She experienced considerable hardship during her childhood, saying she was raped at age nine and became pregnant at 14, but her son was born prematurely and he died shortly after birth.

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Oprah's daytime talk show 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' became an instant success, making her one of the most influential people in the world. But here are 10 facts you might not know about the TV mogul.