Ellen DeGeneres is one of the most iconic and progressive women in Hollywood. As of 2019, his net worth was around 450 million and is likely to grow as he becomes more popular and grows his industry (Biography, 2019). Ellen became world famous when she began working as a stand-up comedian before starring in her own television show, Ellen. She is also recognized globally for coming out as gay publicly and being an advocate for LGBTQ rights. Ellen's success has led her to host her own award-winning talk show since 2003 and, on a more personal note, marry her longtime girlfriend Portia de Rossi in 2008. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay However, his overall success has not come easy and is the result of years of pain and struggle in all aspects of his life. She had been sexually abused by her stepfather, telling the public that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer and that her stepfather insisted on examining her breasts for lumps. This left Ellen struggling throughout her childhood, but gave her the ability to push through the bad times and make a name for herself. After discovering he had a talent for stand-up comedy, he received roles in films and television shows. However, he faced strong criticism when he came out as gay, which jeopardized his success in his current roles. She was let go by several producers and received major criticism for the roles she continued to play. After acknowledging his homosexuality on the air, an ABC affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama refused to air the landmark episode, as they feared controversy and pulled the commercial. Subjected to years of hate and mockery, Ellen speaks on armchair pundit Dax Shephard's podcast in 2018, recalling the humiliating feeling of being subjected to jokes on late-night talk shows, rejecting the evidence that she was simply an LGBTQ leader because she didn't want to keep this secret anymore. However, there was a window of relief when several episodes following his public announcement had gay themes. They were harshly criticized, but also received applause from activists and fans, including his mother, Betty DeGeneres. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay After years of hate and criticism, Ellen was tough and resilient, and her unique combination of kind and funny personality outweighed the focus on her sexuality. Her uniqueness made her a worldwide success that led to her show, Ellen, becoming a huge hit among daytime viewers and winning the show an Emmy and People's Choice Awards. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama for his contributions to the arts. He believes the adversity and criticism he faced fueled his desire to succeed. Now she is a passionate activist, a world-loved TV host and overall a humble, generous and strong woman.