If you haven't heard of Oprah Winfrey, then chances are pretty high that you've been living under a rock for at least the last 20 years. Oprah has made a name for herself that people around the world know today. Becoming a household name is not easy, especially when she did it so many years ago. Although Oprah is powerful, wealthy and a good businesswoman, there are still emotional problems she has suffered from. For example, did you know she still suffers from anxiety, like so many celebrities do?
It's no surprise that one of the wealthiest women in the world has anxieties, especially considering the huge choices she has to make on a daily basis. Starting her own network, quitting her show and other decisions do not come easy no matter how wealthy and successful you are.
Oprah's Lifelong Anxiety
While Oprah still battles anxiety today; it's something that has affected her throughout her entire life. She recently revealed that when she was a child she was sexually abused. The abuse she suffered happened for several years, which really took a toll on her mental and physical health. This experience changed the way she looked at her life and she was never the same after it. Her anxieties were rooted in the abuse she dealt with for years until she finally got professional help. These experiences caused her to have bad self-esteem and an anxious feeling when dealing with some people.
At the age of 14 she gave birth to a son, but he unfortunately passed away soon after birth. Oprah's bad life experiences then led her to run away from home. After years of battling with her mother and finally being sent away, she found her place. This is where she found her voice and learned how to talk with and trust people once again. Her first job was at a corner store where she wasn't allowed to speak with people, but things changed when she got a job at a radio station.
This led to a job and opportunity to run a camera, which then led to being in front of one! Oprah knew that if she wanted to be successful and speak with people, she would have to let her anxieties go. When she was a reporter her downfall was having too much empathy for people. She wanted to work with people instead of report the news about them. The thought of spending her career at a news desk like this gave Oprah even more anxiety about her life. That is not what she wanted to do and couldn't imagine her life staying that way.
She used her fears and anxieties to push herself to where she is today. Soon after that, she got an opportunity to host a talk show and never looked back! Her wildly successful show turned into a phenomenon and made Oprah the powerful woman she is today. In fact, some say she's one of the most influential women in the world. Her talk show ran for 25 years and was one of the most watched daytime television programs of all time.
Oprah's Adult Anxieties
Oprah had never revealed this abuse until she opened up to David Letterman a couple of years ago. She admits that she relied on religion to get her through the process and that the challenges she went through affected her mental state. She now heads many different foundations that help women all around the world get educated about sexual abuse, including rape. Talking about her sexual abuse has been very healing and she's been able to find comfort in helping others.
Her anxieties today are a bit different from what everyone else deals with, but they can be extremely stressful and worrisome. When she made moves to purchase her own television network, OWN, she worried about whether or not it was a good business decision. Only time will tell if this investment pays off, which is why Oprah still carries around anxiety about it today.
The success story of how Oprah overcame her abusive childhood and became one of the most powerful women in the world is one every person should know! She was able to turn her anxieties into a driving force that made her career what it is today. Although she still makes huge decisions that carry the weight of worry, she is able to get through it by using her passion and hope. She's an advocate for women and speaks freely about her anxieties today.