Oprah Surprises Herself by Googling Her Name for the First Time The media star recently learned things about herself that she never knew. "This is what I didn’t know: that I was the first African-American self-made billionaire. Did not know that."  She also learned that she donated more to charity in the 20th century than any other African-American. Winfrey has donated to a D.C. organization for homeless women, the Smithsonian and has given to her Leadership Academy for Girls. Oprah revealed that her key to success is being herself. “All these years I have made a fortune, really, being myself. So I'm never not me." The celebrity is worth about $3 billion.