American media executive and talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, has lost her mother.

Oprah’s niece, Alisha Hayes, confirmed the news and revealed that Vernita Lee, 83, died on Thanksgiving Day, TMZ reports.

Vernita was born in 1935 in 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.

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Oprah was raised early by her maternal grandmother. When Oprah turned 6, she moved to Milwaukee to live with her mom.

Vernita had a son, Jeffrey, who died in 1989 from AIDS. Oprah and Jeffrey reportedly had a difficult relationship.

Vernita is survived by Oprah and Patricia Amanda Faye Lee and grandchildren Alisha Hayes, Chrishaunda Lee Perez, Aquarius Lofton and Andre Brown, as well as great-grandchildren Jaxon Praise Perez, Chai Theresa Perez, Donovan Hayes and Trinity Hayes.

According to reports private funeral service has already been held.

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