logo
 Getty Images
Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey on Why She Chose Not to Marry or Have Kids

Olawale Ogunjimi
By Olawale Ogunjimi
Jan 14, 2020
07:30 P.M.

Billionaire Business Mogul, Oprah Winfrey shares the real reasons for choosing not to marry or have kids.

Advertisement

Motherhood might seem like the ultimate price for some, while for others, it is something they can do without irrespective of societal pressure.

While speaking in a recent interview with "People Magazine," famous humanitarian and business Mogul, Oprah Winfrey shares the reasons why she has never succumbed to societal pressures to get married or give birth.

 Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage during the 45th NAACP Image Awards presented by TV One at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2014|Photo: Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage during the 45th NAACP Image Awards presented by TV One at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2014|Photo: Getty Images

MOTHERHOOD IS NOT FOR ALL

Oprah expressed that working on the set of her popular show "The Oprah Winfrey show," made her realize that motherhood was not for her as it required sacrifice and great responsibility. She said:

Advertisement

"I realized, 'Whoa, I'm talking to a lot of messed-up people, and they are messed up because they had mothers and fathers who were not aware of how serious that job is."

She further expressed that she could not compartmentalize as mothers do, and this was going to show in the way she raised her children.

Oprah Winfrey attends "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" premiere at SVA Theater on April 18, 2017 |Photo: Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey attends "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" premiere at SVA Theater on April 18, 2017 |Photo: Getty Images

NURSING THE THOUGHT

She, however, mentioned that during her move to Chicago a few years back, she considered the thought of being a mother but never followed it through.

Advertisement

"At one point in Chicago, I had bought an additional apartment because I was thinking, 'Well, if we get married, I'm going to need room for children."

While that thought never came to be, Oprah is glad that she made the decision not to have children because she feared they were going to hate her, as stated in an earlier interview with "The Hollywood Reporter."

Oprah Winfrey poses with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in the press room during The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2018| Photo: Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey poses with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in the press room during The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2018| Photo: Getty Images

A LASTING RELATIONSHIP

Although Oprah has never been married, she has been in a long term relationship with her partner, Stedman Graham, and the duo agreed never to marry.

Advertisement

The pair have been in a relationship since 1986 and got engaged once but rescinded on it, deciding that being unmarried was the best shot for them.

 Oprah Winfrey arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle before the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018| Photo: Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey arrives at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle before the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018| Photo: Getty Images

NO REGRETS

One would expect that in her later years, Oprah would have regrets about her decisions, but she has firmly held on to them.

She does not look back and think of what might have or not have been as she gets to fulfill her maternal roles in other ways.

Advertisement
Oprah Winfrey attends the premiere of Disney's "A Wrinkle In Time" at the El Capitan Theatre on February 26, 2018 |Photo: Images

Oprah Winfrey attends the premiere of Disney's "A Wrinkle In Time" at the El Capitan Theatre on February 26, 2018 |Photo: Images

Oprah, who owns the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, said she gets all the love she would have gotten from her children from the girls at the academy.

She affirmed that the girls filled what would have been the maternal void in her and that they did not only fill it, they overfilled it as she is overflowed with love.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

Public Has Mixed Reactions After Goldie Hawn Reveals Her True Marriage Views with Kurt Russell

May 11, 2026

Sandra Bullock Shares Rare Family Moment with Her Children — Photos

May 11, 2026

This Former 'Who's the Boss?' Star, 50, Once Thought Marriage Wasn't in His Future Until Life Proved Him Wrong — Photos

June 25, 2026

What Meg Ryan's Two Grown Children Look Like Now – See the Photos

April 23, 2026

From 'Charmed' to Now: Holly Marie Combs' Life, Her Sons, and the 'Perfect Person' Who Showed Up When She Stopped Looking – Photos

June 26, 2026

Meet Uma Thurman's Three Blonde Kids, Ages 13 to 27 – See How They've Changed

March 20, 2026

Meghan Markle Enjoys Disneyland Trip with Her Children and Mother Doria – Photos

May 12, 2026

Sandra Bullock Marks Mother's Day With Emotional Post and Rare Photo of Her Kids

May 10, 2026

Meryl Streep Reflects on Melania Trump's Style and the Pressure on Women – Igniting Reactions

April 08, 2026

Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden Welcome Third Child, Sparking Reactions as Fans Split Over Major Detail

May 05, 2026

The Real Reason Amanda Holden Married Les Dennis at 24, Despite Their 17-Year Age Gap — Their Relationship Timeline in Photos

March 30, 2026