Ellen DeGeneres is one of the most iconic and progressive women in Hollywood. As of 2019, her net worth is around 450 million and is likely to increase as she becomes more popular and grows her industry (Biography, 2019). Ellen became known around the world when she branched out into acting before starring in her own television show, Ellen. She is also internationally recognized for publicly coming out as gay and advocating 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, to marry her longtime girlfriend, Portia de Rossi, in 2008. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay However, his worldwide success did not come easy and was the result of years of pain and struggle in every aspect of his life. She had been sexually assaulted 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 resilience to weather the bad times and make a name for herself. After discovering she had a talent for stand-up comedy, she received roles in films and television shows. However, she faced heavy criticism when she came out as gay, which jeopardized her success in her current roles. She was fired by several producers and received widespread criticism for the roles she continued to play. After he admitted his homosexuality on air, an ABC affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, refused to air the historic episode, fearing controversy, and pulled its ads. Subjected to years of hate and mocking Ellen, she spoke out on the Dax Shephard Armchair Expert podcast in 2018, recalling the humiliating feeling of being subjected to jokes on late-night talk shows, rejecting the proof that she was an LGBTQ leader simply 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 individually criticized, but they also received applause from activists and their fans, including his mother, Betty DeGeneres. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay After years of hatred and criticism, Ellen was persistent and resilient, and her unique combination of kind and funny personality overshadowed the focus on her sexuality. Her uniqueness made her a worldwide success, which helped her show Ellen become a big hit with daytime viewers and win an Emmy and a People's Choice Awards. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama for her contributions to the arts. She believes the adversity and criticism she faced fueled her desire to succeed. Today, she is a passionate activist, a globally loved television host and just a humble, generous and strong woman in general...