In the glamorous world of celebrity gossip, few stories can rival the sheer drama of Oprah Winfrey’s contentious relationship with her stepmother, Barbara Winfrey. In the early 2000s, Barbara married Vernom Winfrey, Oprah’s father. Their marriage, however, ended acrimoniously in 2012. What followed was a scandalous battle over a lavish home in Nashville, filled with accusations and heartache. Join us as we dive into this explosive tale of family betrayal and public spectacle.
A Troubled Marriage
Barbara Winfrey’s marriage to Vernon Winfrey seemed like a fairytale at first. They shared over a decade together, residing in a stunning five-bedroom home in Franklin, south Nashville. But in 2012, their marital bliss shattered when Vernon filed for divorce, setting the stage for a bitter feud.
Oprah Winfrey’s stepmom Barbara Winfrey claims Oprah is kicking her out of her marital h … – http://t.co/ljnUkljLnO pic.twitter.com/6rI26RY9RV
— Ose (@Ogaose) April 23, 2014
Oprah Enters the Fray
Amid the divorce, Oprah Winfrey made headlines by giving Barbara just 60 days to vacate the home she had lived in for 14 years. This eviction, steeped in controversy, sparked a media frenzy. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Barbara accused her stepdaughter of plotting to ruin her life. “That woman has set out to ruin me, destroy me,” Barbara lamented. “To take this house away is petty. This has been my home for 14 years. She’s robbed me of my husband, and now my home.”
Accusations of a Vendetta
Barbara’s accusations didn’t stop there. She claimed that Oprah’s actions were driven by a personal vendetta. “Oprah’s a billionaire three times over, her help lives better than this,” she said. Barbara alleged that Oprah never offered to sell the house and give her the proceeds, contrary to public statements. “It’s a personal vendetta,” Barbara insisted, suggesting that Oprah owned properties worldwide and had no reason to sell this particular house other than to spite her.
The Alleged Conspiracy
In court documents, Oprah was accused of being part of a conspiracy to force Vernon to divorce Barbara. The media mogul reportedly accompanied her father to secret meetings where they devised a scheme to evict Barbara. However, Vernon refuted these claims, stating, “What she has done is nothing short of evil, but she doesn’t scare me, her actions cause me to disrespect her.”
Barbara’s Heartbreak
Barbara’s heartbreak was evident as she recounted the opulent lifestyle she once enjoyed in the $1.4 million mansion. The house featured a modern kitchen, a stunning landscape, a wine cellar, a library, a billiards room, and a high-end bar. “We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on furniture, everything was high-end,” she shared. Barbara believed that Oprah took pleasure in uprooting her from her home, describing the actions as “evilness” she couldn’t comprehend.
Facing an Uncertain Future
As Barbara vacated the mansion, she expressed her fears about the future. At 66, with negative credit and nowhere to go, she faced an uncertain path. “I’m not trying to stay here [just] to stay here,” she told The Tennessean. “Where am I going to go at 66…to find someplace to live? Who’s going to rent to me?”
The Court’s Decision
The court’s decision revealed that Oprah purchased the property after Vernon transferred it to a man named Tom Walker, who then missed mortgage payments. “The court finds [Vernon Winfrey] allowed [the marital property] to go into foreclosure knowing that it would be purchased by his daughter, Oprah, for his and Thomas Walker’s benefit and to defeat any interest of Barbara Winfrey,” the ruling stated. Oprah’s spokesman clarified that she bid on the property to prevent her father’s life work from dissolving.
Barbara’s Refusal to Sign
Barbara declined an offer to choose a different property in Chateau Valley, Nashville, as part of the divorce settlement because it required her to sign a confidentiality agreement about Oprah. “I’m not going to sign anything,” she firmly stated. Oprah’s spokeswoman later confirmed that after several requests for Barbara to voluntarily vacate the property, legal action was taken to ensure her departure.
Conclusion
The dramatic feud between Oprah Winfrey and her stepmother, Barbara Winfrey, offers a glimpse into the complex and often painful dynamics of celebrity families. As the world watched this saga unfold, it served as a stark reminder that even the most public figures have private battles. While Barbara faced a challenging new chapter, the story of her clash with Oprah remains one of the most compelling scandals in Hollywood history.
FAQs
Why did Oprah Winfrey evict her stepmother?
Oprah Winfrey evicted her stepmother, Barbara Winfrey, amid a contentious divorce between Barbara and Oprah’s father, Vernon Winfrey. Barbara accused Oprah of scheming to destroy her life and take away her home.
What accusations did Barbara Winfrey make against Oprah?
Barbara Winfrey accused Oprah of having a personal vendetta against her and conspiring to force her out of her home. She claimed that Oprah’s actions were driven by spite and described them as “evilness.”
How long did Barbara Winfrey live in the Nashville home?
Barbara Winfrey lived in the five-bedroom home in Franklin, south Nashville, for 14 years before being evicted in 2014.
What did the court find regarding the property?
The court found that Vernon Winfrey allowed the property to go into foreclosure knowing it would be purchased by Oprah to benefit him and another man, Tom Walker, while defeating any interest of Barbara Winfrey.
Did Barbara Winfrey accept a settlement offer?
Barbara Winfrey declined a settlement offer that included choosing a different property in Chateau Valley, Nashville, because it required her to sign a confidentiality agreement about Oprah.
What was Barbara Winfrey’s reaction to the eviction?
Barbara Winfrey was devastated by the eviction, expressing fears about her future at 66 with negative credit and nowhere to go. She described the experience as deeply painful and incomprehensible.
