Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey's fans weren’t the only ones who didn’t know about the star’s half-sister Patricia. According to the Daily Mail, Oprah’s father Vernon claims he only found out about Patricia when the star staged her ‘family reunion’ on TV.
“Every family has some secrets,” said Vernon Winfrey.
“Some will be aired, and some will not. It's nothing to be shameful about.”
Patricia was born in 1963. Her mother, Vernita Lee, a former partner of Vernon Winfrey, put the child up for adoption so that she could get off welfare and return to work.
Both Vernon and Oprah, who was eight-years-old at the time, knew nothing of the birth. Oprah’s dad, however, says he is happy that Oprah found Patricia.
“I’m pleased for Oprah that she discovered that she has a new half sister and I would like to meet her too,” he said.
“I intend to call Oprah later this evening actually to try and catch-up with her about the exciting news.”
Vernon also had some words of encouragement for his ex Vernita.
“I knew Vernita’s two deceased children and she sent Oprah to me because she could not cope and was having a hard time.”
“I don’t blame her for giving-up Patricia because I know it was done out of love and she just wanted a better life for her.
“I intend to call Vernita and tell her to hold her head-up high because she has done nothing to feel ashamed of and she is a loving kind of person.”
Patricia is Oprah’s only surviving sibling. The star’s half-brother Jeffrey died of AIDS in 1989, and in 2003, her half-sister Pat succumbed to years of drug abuse.
After unveiling her sibling on her OWN channel, Oprah then appeared on The Gayle King Show, and revealed that she and Patricia were working at building a relationship.
“We're taking it slow,” Oprah told best friend Gayle.
“I think it's about building a relationship one conversation – one experience – at a time.”