logo

Oprah Winfrey's mother passes away on Thanksgiving at the age of 83

Aby Rivas
Nov 26, 2018
03:38 P.M.

Oprah Winfrey’s mother, Vernita Lee, died at the age of 83 in her home at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Advertisement

Lee’s granddaughter Alisha first revealed the news on Facebook, and it was later confirmed through an official statement to news outlets. Representatives of Winfrey revealed that Lee passed away on Thanksgiving Day at her home.

Advertisement

According to Daily Mail, Alisha posted two photos with Vernita to share the sad news and added:

“My grandmother, Rest In Peace. I lost my beautiful grandma on Thanksgiving. She was the number one supporter of Pat’s [Alisha's restaurant] and was the person who named our restaurant. We will miss her and will carry on her legacy of good eating! We love you Vernita Lee!”

Advertisement

Aside from her famous daughter, Lee is survived by daughter Patricia Amanda Faye Lee, Oprah's half-sister, grandchildren Alisha Hayes, Chrishaunda Lee Perez, Aquarius Lofton, and Andre Brown and great-grandchildren Jaxon Praise Perez, Chai Theresa Perez, Donovan Hayes, and Trinity Hayes.

She also had two more children, son Jeffrey Lee and daughter Patricia Lee Lloyd, who died in 1989 and 2003 respectively.

A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP

Vernita, born in 1935, was still a teenager when she gave birth to Oprah in 1954. She left her baby under her mom’s care and moved to Milwaukee, where she worked as a housemaid.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Oprah was 6-year-old when she reunited with Lee, and because of the woman’s absence in her life, they had a complicated relationship. On top of that, Winfrey was abused by two members of her family while living under Vernita’s roof.

In 1968, Oprah moved to live permanently with his father, creating even more distance between her and Vernita.

MAKING AMENDS

But after Winfrey became a media sensation, she decided to fix her relationship with Lee, eventually making amends and re-building the bond they had lost through the years.

Advertisement

In 2010, Lee revealed to Oprah the existence of her half-sister Patricia Amanda, whom Lee had given in adoption in 1963 and reconnected with later in life. Surprised to learn about her long-lost sibling, Oprah paid for her college education, officially welcoming her into the family in a special episode of her talk show in 2011.

According to TMZ, Lee was a retired hospital dietitian living in a luxurious condo in Milwaukee and receiving financial help from her famous daughter.

Oprah spent Thanksgiving Day at her home in Montecito with family and friends.

A private funeral service has already been held. The family encourages people to make memorial donations in Vernita's name to Feeding America.

Our condolences go to Winfrey and her family.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Gayle King Is a Proud Mother and Grandmother — Meet Her Lookalike Offspring

February 10, 2022

Harry Revealed Pregnant Meghan Wanted to End Her Life ⁠— She Lived So He Would Not Lose Another Loved One

April 19, 2022

Jackie Kennedy Did Not Leave Sister Lee Radziwill a Penny From $43.7 Million Fortune - Inside Her 36-Page Will

March 29, 2022

Alicia Keys Grew up without a Dad after He Abandoned Her — Meet the Singer's Mother Who Raised Her Alone

May 13, 2022

Oprah & Stedman Enjoy Their Unconventional Relationship 30 Years after His Proposal That Never Led to Marriage

February 06, 2022

Kathie Lee Gifford Stayed Celibate until 22 When She Wed 1st Husband — She Spent Wedding Night Sobbing

April 08, 2022

Jamie Lee Curtis Was ‘The Product of 13 Divorces’ Who Was Raised in a ‘House of Hatred'

March 01, 2022

Harry & Meghan Will Bring Kids to Queen’s Jubilee despite Queen Banning Them from Palace Balcony Ceremony

May 10, 2022

Kathie Lee Gifford Lost Hope of Having Kids after 'Loveless' Marriage & Let 'Nature Takes Its Course'

March 13, 2022

Oprah Winfrey Sought Medical Diagnosis after Feeling Ill — Doctor Told Her to 'Embrace Hunger'

May 24, 2022

Oprah Winfrey Waited 6 Years for Fiancé to Propose — She Has Been Engaged for Nearly 30 Years

April 15, 2022

Prince Harry's Daughter Lilibet Diana Takes Her 1st Steps — Inside His Life as a 'Proud Papa'

April 22, 2022

Meghan Markle ‘No Longer Cares’ if She Is Welcome in UK Though Prince Harry Is ‘Desperate’ to Return, Reports Say

February 24, 2022

Inside Tom Hanks & Wife of 33 Years Rita Wilson's Relationship with Their Biracial Granddaughter

April 29, 2022