Oprah Winfrey Fast Facts Here is a look at the life of Oprah Winfrey, who hosted the award-winning “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Personal Birth place: Kosciusko, Mississippi Father: Vernon Winfrey, a barber Mother: Vernita Lee, a maid (parents never married) Education: Tennessee State University, B.A., Speech and Performing Arts, 1976 Other Facts At age 19, while still a sophomore in college, becomes the youngest and first African-American anchor for WTVF-TV in Nashville. Winfrey’s first name is spelled Orpah on her birth certificate but there was confusion over how to pronounce the name, s...