Becoming wealthy does not change a person’s character. Instead, it just intensifies whatever character traits the person may have had before they received their wealth. So if some impoverished a-hole becomes wealthy, he’ll just become a more powerful a-hole after he becomes wealthy. The only thing that changes is his balance sheet, not his a-holeness.
Warren Buffet was the richest man in the world before Bill Gates toppled him on the Forbes list during the 90s. Although Buffet may have some pathetic political leanings, he is still the same down-home folksy person that he was before he became wealthy.
Bill Gates was a paranoid, power-hungry geek before he became wealthy. Even after he became the richest man in the world, he is still a paranoid, power-hungry geek.
So to extend this analysis to Oprah, the odds are strong that she was a bee itch way before she made it big.
I know a many wealthy people because of my husband and his job. Most are snobby, think people with little money are beneath them, but there are a few that are so nice and generous. I’ve always said that if I had money I would be nice and generous as well and never be full of myself. But I think your right, someones character is established before the come into money and doesn’t change regardless.