Oprah Winfrey has confirmed the death of her father, Vernon Winfrey, shortly after local Nashville news stations reported his passing Friday night. He was 88 years old.
“Vernon Winfrey 1933-2022,” the 68-year-old media pundit wrote a July 4 video of her father, which showed that their immediate family knew he was battling cancer.
“Just a week ago, we honored my father in his own backyard. My friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps greeted him with a song,” she continued. “He FEELED the love and enjoyed it until he couldn’t speak.
“Yesterday I had the holy honor of watching the man responsible for my life take his last breath with family around his bed. As he passed, we felt Peace enter the room.
“That peace is still there,” she added. “Everything good. Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts .”
The Oprah Daily Instagram account added in its comment section, “Rest in Peace Mr. Winfrey What a beautiful tribute in person and through the written word ❤️.”
The page went on to share its own statement regarding 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 message from “Lady O” two days earlier describing the “Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Celebration” as a way to celebrate the hairdresser and businessman, “while still well enough to show the praise and gratitude of the completely absorbing people whose lives he touched.”
“Thank you for being the kind of father who brought honor into your life and honor into my life,” Oprah said at her father’s death ceremony.