Oprah's secret - A sister she didn't know

While family may sometimes feel like the ties that bind, it’s no secret that family is a precious bond that too few people appreciate until it is too late. A newly discovered golden flower amidst the twists of the familial vine has a lot to do with Oprah’s Winfrey’s recently exposed "secret," writes Pop Eater. Oprah’s mystery is that she has a 48-year-old half sibling of whom she’d never known until just recently. It makes you wonder who took out the short term cash loan to afford to find out this information and finally bring it to light.

Good mystery from Oprah

While some wondered whether Oprah’s secret had something to do with rekindling her old flame with music-man John Tesh, the truth made for heart-warming TV. There was an announcement made by Oprah about her having a half sibling living in Milwaukee named Patricia. In 1963 Oprah's mother, Vernita Lee, gave up this child for adoption. There are 2 adult kids, boy and girl, that Patricia has. Patricia wanted to keep the information out of the public eye although she found out in 2007 that she and Oprah had the exact same mother. She tried to get a hold of Vernita Lee first. She was unable to do this though. As Oprah admitted on her show, she was touched by Patricia’s concern.

Oprah had no idea that her mother had ever been pregnant with Patricia. During the time, Winfrey only saw her mother often as she lived with her father. Oprah's secret turned into a great family story after there was some DNA testing done. In 2010, Thanksgiving was celebrated by Oprah in meeting Patricia. Vernita Lee showed up too. "The news that literally shook me to my core," as Oprah put it, had given way to a somewhat awkward but ultimately joyous occasion.

Seeing the double personality within the name

There is an interesting twist to the Oprah/Patricia story, CNN accounts. There was already a half sibling of Winfrey's living in Milwaukee. Her name was Patricia too. That Patricia died in 2003. Oddly enough, the newly discovered Patricia who was given away for adoption was not named by Vernita Lee, but by the adoptive parents. It was not prepared for the names to match. The coincidence is evident.

Citations

CNN

marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/24/oprahs-big-announcement/

Pop Eater

popeater.com/2011/01/24/oprah-winfrey-secret-sister/

Oprah’s family secret revealed: A sister’s reunion

youtube.com/watch?v=96L1eeUhmaw