Oprah Winfrey’s mother dies at 83

Oprah Winfrey is mourning the death of her mother. The media titan’s niece, Alisha Hayes, has revealed Vernita

Lee, 83, died on Thanksgiving Day.

Born in 1935 in Mississippi, Verdita gave birth to Oprah in 1954. Mother and daughter moved to Wisconsin when Oprah was six.

Vernita gave birth to Oprah’s half-sister, Patricia, when the TV favourite was nine. The newborn was given up for adoption. Hayes also had a son, Jeffrey, who died in 1989 from AIDS.

Vernita retired to a luxury condominium in Milwaukee and received a monthly stipend from her famous daughter. A private funeral service has already been held, according to TMZ.