Oprah Winfrey Asks For Prayers From Family, Friends And Fans
Winfrey shared publicly that her 89-year-old father had been battling cancer just a few weeks ago.
Oprah Winfrey’s father, Vernon, has passed away.
An article published on Oprah Daily confirmed Vernon Winfrey died late on 8 July. The 89-year-old had been battling cancer.
Just a few days ago, as Americans celebrated the 4th of July, Winfrey shared a video on her Instagram page, renaming the special day as “Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Day”. The backyard barbecue in Nashville was organised in honour of her ill father, who Winfrey said had no idea about the surprise.
“We wanted all his friends to be able to come and celebrate him while he was able to receive the joy”, Oprah told her long-time friend Gayle King in the video message.
“Giving my father his ‘flowers’ while he’s still well enough to smell them. Happy 4th of July as you gather with your family and friends,” Winfrey captioned the post, issuing a moving plea for everyone to “remember to celebrate each other” while you still can.
Just a few days after that celebration, her father lost his battle with cancer. Winfrey has since shared a statement thanking well-wishers for their support on her father’s passing.
The legendary TV personality and media mogul, who has 21.3 million followers on Instagram shared a tribute with pictures of the two of them together and footage of her father sitting in his garden, surrounded by friends and family. In the accompanying post, Winfrey wrote: “Less than a week ago we honoured my father in his own backyard. My friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps saluted him with song. He FELT the love and revelled in it until he could no longer speak. Yesterday with family surrounding his bedside, I had the sacred honour of witnessing the man responsible for my life, take his last breath. We could feel Peace enter the room at his passing. That Peace still abides. All is well. Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts.”
Winfrey has spoken about the influence her dad had on her on Father’s Day, attributing her phenomenal worldwide success to him, saying: “If it were not for him, I doubt if anyone in the world would know my name.”
Oprah Winfrey paid tribute to her late father Vernon Winfrey over the weekend, following his death on Friday at the age of 89.
In an Instagram post on Saturday, the legendary talk show host shared a short video of her father, who had been battling cancer.
Vernon Winfrey and daughter Oprah Winfrey arrive at the opening of “Charlie’s War” at the Nashville Film Festival, on May 2, 2003, in Nashville, Tenn.
“Vernon Winfrey 1933-2022,” she wrote. “Less than a week ago we honored my father in his own backyard. My friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps saluted him with song. He FELT the love and reveled in it until he could no longer speak.”
“Yesterday with family surrounding his bedside, I had the sacred honor of witnessing the man responsible for my life, take his last breath. We could feel Peace enter the room at his passing,” she continued. “That Peace still abides. All is well. Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts.”
Winfrey’s father was a former city councilman and operated a barbershop in Nashville for over 50 years prior to his death.
The “A Wrinkle in Time” star’s mother Vernita Lee died in November 2018, at the age of 83.
Oprah Winfrey is paying tribute to her late father, Vernon Winfrey.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Oprah shared a short video of her father, who died Friday of cancer. He was 88.
“Vernon Winfrey 1933-2022,” she wrote. “Less than a week ago we honored my father in his own backyard. My friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps saluted him with song. He FELT the love and reveled in it until he could no longer speak.”
“Yesterday with family surrounding his bedside, I had the sacred honor of witnessing the man responsible for my life, take his last breath. We could feel Peace enter the room at his passing,” Oprah continued, “That Peace still abides. All is well. Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts.”
Vernon was a former councilman and operated a barbershop in Nashville for over 50 years prior to his death.
