Oprah Winfrey

1954 -
Empathy and Kindness

“Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives.”

Who Am I?

Oprah is a one-name powerhouse, one of the most recognised faces in the world and the greatest Black philanthropist in American history. Born in Mississippi, Oprah was raised by her grandmother and had a very modest childhood. She experienced abuse as a child, and as a victim, she understands how damaging this can be. She played a key role in the passing of the National Child Protection Act in 1994.

 What Am I Known For?

Oprah has achieved great fame and fortune as a producer, actress and television icon. Her role in her first movie, The Colour Purple, saw her nominated for an Academy Award. Many more movies and shows followed, and she then hosted her own, The Oprah Winfrey Show, which became the highest-rated talk show in the USA, earning several Emmy Awards.

However, it is for her ability to empathise with people and her passion for racial and gender equality that she is best known. No matter where someone is from, what they do or who they are, Oprah has an amazing ability to connect with them. Whether talking to a huge audience or interviewing someone one-on-one, Oprah is tuned into what others think and feel. Through her charity involvement via The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation and Oprah’s Angel Network, she has personally donated millions to support education, equality, and many other causes.

How About You?

Who else do you know who is really tuned into what others are thinking and feeling?

Can you empathise with someone even though they may have a different perspective on something?

Other Amazing People (you can find them on the website)

Elizabeth Blackwell is a name you may not be familiar with, but she also had great empathy. She was the first female doctor in the US, and she focussed her energies on helping poor women and children. She went on to assist in the development of health care and the training of women in medicine. Explore her full story on the site.

Other Useful Resources (available on the website)

Please see our Empathy Guide to learn more about this character strength.

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Photo: U.S. federal government, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons