Mother to American media personality Oprah Winfrey, Vernita Lee died at the age 83.
The late Vernita passed away on Thanksgiving (22.11.18) at her home in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin and has already been laid to rest at a private funeral. Her cause of death has not yet been determined.
The ‘A wrinkle in time’ actress paid tribute to her mother on Instagram saying that it gives her comfort that she lived a good life and that she is now at peace.
Vernita who worked as a housekeeper throughout her life gave birth to Oprah at the age of 14, shortly after meeting Oprah’s father but she had to move to Wisconsin to become a maid, meaning the American icon was raised by her grandmother.
She is survived by Oprah, 64, and her other daughter, Patricia Amanda Faye Lee. Vernita is also survived by her four grandchildren – Alisha Hayes, Chrishaunda Lee Perez, Aquarius Lofton and Andre Brown – and four great grandchildren – Jaxon Praise Perez, Chai Theresa Perez, Donovan Hayes and Trinity Hayes.
Oprah’s parents had a distant relationship until later in the TV star’s life, and they eventually appeared together on Oprah’s talk show in 1990.
