Oprah’s father Vernon Winfrey dies at 88

Oprah Winfrey confirmed the death of her father, Vernon Winfrey, shortly after local Nashville media reported his passing Friday night. He was 88 years old.

“Vernon Winfrey 1933-2022,” the media maven, 68, captioned a video of her dad from the 4th of July, revealing that their immediate family knew he was battling cancer.

“Less than a week ago we paid tribute to my father in his own backyard. My friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps greeted him with a song,” she continued. “He FELT love and reveled in it until he could no longer speak.

« Yesterday, surrounded by my family by his bedside, I had the sacred honor of seeing the man responsible for my life breathe his last. We could feel the peace entering the room as he passed away.

« This peace remains forever, » she added. “All is well. Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts 🙏🏾.”

The Oprah Daily Instagram account added in its comments section, « Rest in peace, Mr. Winfrey 🕊 What a beautiful tribute in person and in writing ❤️. »

The page then shared its own statement on Vernon’s death, posting, « It is with a heavy heart that we can confirm that Vernon Winfrey, Oprah’s father, passed away yesterday at the age of 89. «

The account also shared a post from ‘Lady O’ two days prior describing Vernon Winfrey’s ‘appreciation celebration’ as a way to celebrate the barber and businessman, ‘while he was still quite well. to fully enjoy the praise and gratitude of the people whose lives he touched.

« Thank you for being the kind of father who brought honor to your life and honor to my life, » Oprah said at the ceremony preceding her father’s passing.