Born to an unwed teenage mother, Oprah Winfrey grew up in a small town in Mississippi. Living most of her early years on her grandparent’s farm, Winfrey learned to read and write with the help of her grandmother. As a child, Winfrey lived in a physical environment of hardship, and was presented with many challenging obstacles growing up. For much of Winfrey’s life, she was molested and sexually abused by many of her mother’s partners. Winfrey’s attempt to run away from home sent her straight to a juvenile detention home.  Soon after, Winfrey moved in with her father at age 17. Life with her father was far more discipline than hers with her mother. Winfrey’s father had her follow a strict set of rules and managed to keep her under control. In this stern environment, Winfrey prospered to be nothing less than an honor student, winning several prizes for oral and dramatic recitation.