Oprah Winfrey is basically America’s sweetheart. Fans of all ages absolutely love the former talk show host and fans have always admired her seemingly transparent nature. Unlike many celebrities, Oprah’s name hasn’t ever been associated with a scandal or any other type of unfavorable news. But despite her transparency, she’s often kept a tight lid on her personal life. Now, she’s opening up and giving her take on personal aspects of life; it’s a different type of Oprah and many may find her latest interview quite interesting.
On Motherhood:
By now, most fans know Oprah had a relatively disheartening experience with pregnancy. The ever-successful businesswoman actually became pregnant at the age of 14. However, the pregnancy wasn’t the result of any type of promiscuity on her part. Sadly Oprah was raped by a cousin when she was just 9-years-old. “I was raped at nine years old by a cousin, then again by another family member, and another family member,” she said during a previous interview. The sexual abuse lasted for several years and it ultimately led to her pregnancy. But Oprah wouldn’t end up raising her son because he died at birth.
After battling depression and contemplating suicide over the seemingly shameful pregnancy, Oprah decided to view the loss of her son, whom she named Canaan, from a different perspective. Looking back, Oprah believes the tragic loss of her baby was her second chance at life. It’s been more than 45 years since Oprah’s life-altering ordeal. Her son was her first and only child. Over the years, many fans have wondered if Oprah ever felt a void without her son or if she desired to embrace motherhood again. Now, she’s answering that very question.
Keepin’ It Real W/ Gwyneth Paltrow:
For those who missed it, Oprah recently sat down with her longtime friend Gwyneth Paltrow for the first episode of her new podcast The Goop. Surprisingly, Oprah offered a few enlightening details about herself and explained why she doesn’t believe she would have been a good parent. “I don’t think I would have been a good mother for baby children, because I need you to talk to me, and I need you to tell me what’s wrong,” she said. “I can’t just figure it out. I knew this about myself.”
Oprah admitted that being a godmother is fulfilling enough for her. “I was always better with kids once they turned two-and-a-half, three, I had a real resonance with them. Gayle (King) was like, ‘Don’t you love babies?’ I was like, ‘Oh, babies are fine.’ It didn’t feel like [having babies] was for me.”
As for having her own intermediate family, Oprah admits she prefers being a great friend to the people in her inner circle. “I am so supportive of whoever or whatever you want to do or be. I am just there for you,” Oprah said. “If I am your friend (there’s) never a hint of jealousy,” she said. “And the same thing with my friend Gayle. I’ve actually modeled being a friend after the friend that Gayle has been to me. I want to be the same friend to everyone that she’s been to me, so that no matter what happens to you — even if I ain’t got no job and you got the best job — I am just so happy for you! I want my friends to soar.”
Her Inner Circle:
Since Oprah’s a very private person, it’s probably safe to say there aren’t a lot of people in her inner circle. Separating her professional life from all things personal is probably one of the reasons why Oprah is such a widely loved person. All of Oprah’s fans know she’s been with Stedman Graham for more than 20 years but there’s a significant reason why you rarely see them in public together. She admitted, in the beginning of their relationship, the fabricated tabloid stories were a bit of an annoyance to her. Of course now, Oprah’s not one to sweat anything reported in tabloids, but back then, she actually sought advice from Maya Angelou about the situation. It has nothing to actually do with you,” Angelou would tell her, “It has to do with whoever sat down at that computer that moment.” Winfrey continues, “It’s also why I stopped making as many public appearances with Stedman because I realized that every time there’s a new photograph, there’s a new story.”
The two ladies agreed public appearances are an “open invitation” for a media field day. Oprah shared her take on the media. “I picture it: they’ve got the pictures on the wall. What do we have this week? What expression do we have? What can we create out of that?”
Oprah Winfrey’s reason for keeping her personal life under wraps is probably quite admirable to most fans. Like everyone else, Oprah isn’t perfect but the public won’t have the opportunity of seeing her flaws showcased on tabloids.
