Oprah and Stedman have been happily unmarried for almost 30 years and through the years, their relationship has been tested by public perception more times than we could count. What’s also happened, is that the world doesn’t really know the mysterious, Stedman, outside of being “Oprah’s man.” But there are several interesting little-known facts about the brotha and his past that contradict certain rumors about their relationship and makes us see him as a standup guy…

HERE’S WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT STEDMAN GRAHAM

STEDMAN PROPOSED TO OPRAH IN 1992, BUT…
Although many people speculated that Stedman never wanted to marry Oprah all these years, it was actually Oprah who didn’t want marriage. Quiet as it’s kept, Stedman actually proposed to Oprah in 1992, at first she said ‘yes,’ but about a year later, she changed her mind and called off wedding plans. Oprah later revealed what her first thoughts were when he proposed:

“The moment he asked me to marry him, I was like ‘Oh God, now I actually have to get married?!!”

In a 2015 Super Soul Sunday episode, Oprah stated what she’s learned about herself as it pertains to marriage:

“What I realized is, I don’t want to be married, because I could not have the life that I created for myself…I couldn’t do it,” explained Oprah. “If you ever interviewed him [Stedman], he would tell that had we married, we would not be together today.”

HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER

Stedman is a 6’6″ former basketball player for the professional European League. Who knew?!! He played pro ball in the 70’s.

HE WAS MARRIED
Stedman was married to his ex-wife, Glenda, in the early ’70s, but they divorced in the mid ’70s.

HE RESPECTS OPRAH’S CLOSE BOND WITH GAYLE KING
In a past interview, here’s what Stedman said when asked about Oprah’s and Gayle’s close bond: “It makes my life easier because I know that Oprah is talking with someone who cares about her, who she can trust,” he explained. A man who understands the value of female friendships? That’s a keeper.”

NOT INTIMIDATED BY OPRAH’S MULTI-BILLIONAIRE STATUS

“I’m not threatened by [Oprah’s] fame or her success or her money or all of that,” Graham shared in a behind-the-scenes clip from The Oprah Winfrey Show. “That’s who she is. It doesn’t have anything to do with how I define myself.”

Oprah also knows Stedman is genuine dude who would be there through thick and thin:

Oprah: “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo. But you want someone who’ll help you catch the bus.”

HE WROTE TWO BEST SELLING BOOKS
“You Can Make It Happen: A 9-Step Plan For Success” and “Teens Can Make It Happen” were Stedman’s best-sellers and he has written 9 other self-help and business books throughout the years.

HAS A MASTER’S AND A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Stedman has a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in education.

HE’S A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

“My hope is to help people build value in their own lives,” Stedman once stated in a Forbes interview.

STEDMAN IS A PHILANTHROPIST
In 1995, Stedman founded, Athletes Against Drugs (AAD) foundation, which connects professional athletes with young inner city kids to teach and guide them toward a positive path: Stedman:

“Being in this business for 25 years has taught us that it’s not about the drugs, but about providing positive choices, keeping yourself active and keeping yourself busy with activities, the proper curriculum, and special events like taking kids to games. That’s how you keep our youth off drugs.”

He’s on the board of directors for the Chicago based non profit organization, Junior Achievement, which focuses on developing and incorporating new educational programs into the city’s schools.

HE’S AN ARMY VETERAN
In the 1970’s, Stedman served in the Army and credits that for changing his life:

“I was a basketball player at Hardin-Simmons University (in Abilene), but I had no clue who I was as an individual,” he said. “The Army gave me some structure, helped me organize my life and taught me how to scrub floors, wash pots, KP (kitchen patrol), all those things necessary to build character, create a work ethic, a can-do attitude, perseverance, dedication.”

Stedman and Oprah…a powerful couple indeed.
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