Oprah's Mother Vernita Lee Passes Away at 83

Source: Noam Galai / Getty

According to TMZ, Oprah’s mother Vernita Lee died on Thanksgiving. Oprah’s sister confirmed  the death with an social media post about the families lost.

Vernita Lee is survived by Oprah and Patricia Amanda Faye Leeand grandchildren Alisha Hayes, Chrishaunda Lee Perez, Aquarius Lofton and Andre Brown, as well as great grandchildren. She was 83.

The Latest Music, Celebrities and Interviews: Follow @1053rnb

If you didn’t know the history of Oprah and her mother, Vernita; here’s the short version:

Vernita was born in 1935 in segregated Mississippi. She met Vernon Winfrey and they gave birth to Oprah in 1954.   Vernita couldn’t raise Oprah because she moved to Milwaukee where she worked as a housemaid.Oprah was raised early on by her maternal grandmother. When Oprah turned 6, she moved to Milwaukee to live with her mom … who was a virtual stranger.

Oprah says her relationship with her mom was rocky because of the long separation … “I was asking the question … what is a mother? What are you supposed to feel about your mother?” Oprah was living with her mom when she was molested by her cousin and abused by an uncle. Vernita had another child in 1963 and gave her up for adoption. Oprah had not met her half-sister Patricia until 2010 and said she was shocked to learn about her long-lost sibling. Oprah paid for her college education. 

Vernita had a son, Jeffrey, who died in 1989 from AIDS. Oprah and Jeffrey reportedly had a difficult relationship. The relationship between Oprah and her mom was eventually repaired. Oprah had Vernita on her talk show in 1990. O’s personal stylist gave her a makeover.There are reports Vernita retired from a hospital dietitian job sometime after she reconnected with O, moved into a luxury condo in Milwaukee and got a stipend from her famous daughter of $5k a month. 

Please keep Oprah and he family in your thoughts and prayers.

The Latest:

• Tester testing
• Tupac Shakur’s Influence In Rap, Movies & Hip Hop Culture
• Is Abstinence Really ‘Not for Everyone?’ Rethinking The Narrative For Believers
• Single, Not Desperate: When Marketing Exploits Black Women’s Desire For Marriage [Op-Ed]
• Journaling For Resilience: Prompts To Help You Move Through Hard Times
• Lawyers Are A Girl’s Best Friend: Kim Kardashian, Niecy-Nash Betts, Sarah Paulson & More Open A Firm In The Official ‘All’s Fair’ Teaser Trailer
• Janet Jackson Will Deliver First TV Performance In 7 Years At The AMAs
• Mara Brock Akil Needs $50M to Make “Girlfriends” Movie Happen
• Tyra Banks Returns For Netflix’s America’s Next Top Model Docuseries
• An Intimate Experience: Maxwell Announces ‘The Silent Serenade Ensemble’

Oprah’s Mother Vernita Lee Passes Away at 83  was originally published on ronemajicatl2.staging.go.ione.nyc