Here are the details about the iconic daytime TV star’s painful past, her view on having kids, and her “daughters,” who she said have enabled her to fulfill her maternal duties.

Winfrey’s Pregnancy and Her Mother’s Decision

Winfrey fell pregnant at age fourteen and hid the pregnancy for seven months until the child was born. She shared in her “Life Class” program for OWN that she saved the unborn baby because she felt detached:

Winfrey admitted hiding the pregnancy brought her nothing but shame and that having swollen ankles and a big belly made it evident that she was expecting:

“Hiding that secret and carrying that shame blocked me in so many ways that I remember being taken to the detention home when my mother was going to put me out of the house at the age of 14,” Winfrey continued.

Winfrey further explained that being taken to the detention home and waiting to be processed while there, she remembered how relatives abused her from age nine.

The media mogul disclosed that she had been sexually abused at nine and ten years old, and was molested for all of those years, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy.

Young Winfrey and her mom had to leave, and she was released to go and live with her father. According to her, that was her saving grace.

Saving Grace and New Chance

After dodging a bullet from being placed in the detention home, the Mississippi native felt like she had a second chance in life, saying:

She revealed what her father said to her when her baby died at the hospital (born prematurely), giving her a sense of hope after her traumatic experience.

“When that child died, my father said to me, ‘This is your second chance. This is your opportunity to cease this moment and make something of your life,'” the 69-year-old revealed.

Winfrey’s Secret Revealed to The World

Later, the author shared that she had hoped her secret would remain hidden until she could entirely deal with her own deep emotions and feelings.

After her pregnancy, the TV personality feared they would expel her from school for being debauched. A few years down the line, she worried that it would damage her thriving career and said:

Winfrey recalled: “I remember (boyfriend) Stedman (Graham) coming into the bedroom that Sunday afternoon, the room darkened from the closed curtains. Standing before me, looking like he, too, had shed tears, he handed me the tabloid and said, ‘I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve this.'”

However, no one did such a thing to her, and they said nothing, not even strangers or people she knew, and she was stunned by that and later expressed:

Winfrey’s View on Having Children and Her Daughters

In October 2019, Winfrey opened up about her decision not to have kids in an exclusive interview with People. She revealed that initially, the thought of becoming a mom did cross her mind after she and Graham, whom she met at a charity event in 1986, became engaged:

For that same thought, Winfrey admitted she had no regrets about her choice to have a life without any biological children. “I have not had one regret about that,” she said, adding part of the reason why was because she managed to fulfill it in the way that was best for her, her Academy for Girls.

In 2007, the former talk show host realized her five-year dream of creating a safe, educational environment for impoverished girls in South Africa when she opened The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.

2022 was no different as Oprah once again invited the first graduating class to her home to celebrate the special holiday together. The young woman, who she calls her “daughter-girls,” enjoyed the holiday with her.

Oprah and the first graduating class share many special traditions, one of which is having a welcoming committee for the guests that she will host for Thanksgiving.

Oprah said that Thanksgiving was in full swing at her home after posting the video. She then posted a video of her and all her “daughter-girls” before they ate dinner, but there was a twist.

Instead of praying over their food, they sang a song that was sent to them by one of the woman who could not join the, for Thanksgiving that year. As Oprah read the lyrics, the rest of the dinner table sang them.

She posted a video in which she is seen handing boxes to all of the women as they sit around the table. When they opened the gifts their faces were an amalgamation of shock and appreciation.

“The Color Purple” actress once wrote that she and her daughter-girls share lovely meals and even more incredible conversations. Winfrey said it was the definition of what family meant, which is a space to express and be oneself.

Though Winfrey did not initially understand the message, she later realized that it was good for the young lady to have some time alone during quarantine.

She applauded Sade for expressing her needs even though she knew it would hurt their feelings, especially during this time. Despite not having any children, Winfrey has a fulfilling life with her partner and “daughter-girls”