HOT GALLERY: Happy Birthday, Oprah! Snakkle Celebrates the Daytime Legend’s 61st Birthday with a Look Back

Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, to teenaged lovers Vernita Lee and Vernon Winfrey. She spent her early life in Mississippi under the care of her grandmother Hattie Mae Lee, who spent much of her time putting books into her precocious granddaughter’s young hands. Young Oprah eventually moved to Wisconsin to live with her mother. Here we see the future daytime diva as a freshman at Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin.

Nicolet High School was not Oprah’s first stop in academia while living in Wisconsin. She originally attended Lincoln Middle School in downtown Milwaukee. But after teacher Gene Abrams noticed her great love of books, he helped Oprah to transfer to a suburban school in Glendale, Wisconsin. Oprah was the only African-American at Nicolet High School, where she said she was popular “because it was real hip to know a black person [in 1968].”

Oprah was abused as a child and spent her formative years struggling with an absent mother. Exhibiting some behavioral issues, she was sent to live with her father Vernon and stepmother Zelma in Tennessee. There she enrolled in East Nashville High School, in Nashville. She became an honors student, citing Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as her inspiration.

While Oprah lived with her father and stepmother in Nashville, she enjoyed a strict but structured household. Vernon made sure that his formerly troubled daughter placed an emphasis on her education. While continuing at East Nashville High School, Oprah concentrated on her school work and public speaking. Here we see her as a candidate for Miss East Nashville High.

Oprah was also part of the NFL while at East Nashville High School. No, not that NFL—though she was a fan of the shoulder-padded suit during the early days of her talk show. Oprah (check out that checkered skirt) was actually active in the National Forensics League (NFL) while in school. The diva of talk shows went on to receive her first big break while still in high school. In 1971, Oprah was hired to be part-time news reader at local radio affiliate WVOL.

While young Oprah was gifted academically—she could read and write before the age of 3—she was also quite popular. Here we see her when she was literally voted “Most Popular” while still at East Nashville High School. She was also active in her school’s public speaking classes, which enabled the future political mover and shaker to meet with President Richard Nixon while still in high school.

Beyond being super popular and smart, Oprah was also very fashionable! Check out those peace sign earrings!

While still at East Nashville High School, Oprah served as vice president of student government. In 1970, she received a four-year scholarship when she won an Elks Club speaking competition. Oprah went on to attend Tennessee State University. After graduating, she became the first African-American woman and youngest person ever to anchor the TV news at WTVF-TV in Nashville. “The world’s most powerful woman” (according to Time magazine) was well on her way to global domination. Happy birthday, Opraaaahhh!