It has never been a relationship noted for displays of passion. Across 28 years of dating Oprah and Stedman Graham could never stand accused of having publicly sizzled.
But on this particular evening there were fireworks all right, just not the sort either could have enjoyed.
It was the eve of Stedman’s nephew’s wedding some eight years ago, said Barbara Winfrey, 66, the ex-wife of Oprah's father Vernon.‘Stedman was going to be best man but they argued and his nephew didn’t want him anymore.
Threesome: Stedman Graham, Oprah and Gayle King are practically inseparable, says Barbara. 'I don't know any man I've ever dated who could tolerate that'
Pensive: As Barbara Winfrey faces eviction from the home she shared with Oprah's father Vernon for the past 14 years, her thoughts stray to how the talk queen has manipulated the people in her life
‘He turned to Oprah and said something like, “I don’t know why you’re still with him. He’s no good."’
At that all hell broke loose. In the argument that followed Oprah, now 60, revealed detailed knowledge of Stedman’s life, his movements and who he was spending his time with when she wasn’t around.
Barbara said: ‘She told Stedman a member of her security team had told her. When he asked, “How come this guy knows everything about my life?”, she said “That’s what I pay people to know.” She had had him followed I don’t know for how long.
Once you’re in Oprah’s world, she owns you,’ says Barbara, who feels she was belittled and betrayed by Oprah who is kicking her out of the home she shared with Vernon for 14 years.
Dancing queen: At first, Oprah wanted to marry Stedman; he was reluctant, says Barbara. But after a while the balance of power shifted to Oprah. Here, Oprah and Stedman dance together during a Mediterranean cruise.
Stedman and Oprah continued their argument in the SUV on the way to the wedding rehearsal dinner that night, Barbara said, leaving everyone waiting on their late arrival.
But she added, ‘After that it all returned to normal as far as anyone else could see.’
Yet what passes for normal is, to outside observers, anything but, as Stedman, 63, forms part of a strange tripod of co-dependence consisting of him, Oprah and Gayle King, 59.
Oprah’s relationships with Stedman and Gayle have long been the subject of much puzzled speculation.
Showtime: Oprah was front and center at her father's wedding to Barbara in 2000 in Nashville. But behind the scenes, Barbara says she and her husband were treated like second class citizens
Oprah began dating Stedman in 1986 but, according to Barbara, in all the times she saw them together she never once witnessed them hold hands or kiss.
They danced and they were clearly fond of each other, she said. ‘He was comfortable like an old shoe, to her. They stayed in the same room when they were here but he didn’t live with her exactly.
'She wanted to get married at first but he wasn't so keen Then things changed... the balance switched'
- Barbara Winfrey
- Barbara Winfrey
‘He travels so much; he would fly here and there to her. He’s at her beck and call.’
She added, ‘I think in the beginning it was different. Vernon told me how one time he was driving and Oprah was taking Stedman to meet family in Mississippi. He said she was running her hands through his hair the whole trip, till he was so fed up he was ready to put her out of the car.
‘She wanted to get married at first but he wasn’t so keen.
Daily Mail
Hatred for stepdaughter Barb?
ReplyDeleteTALE OF A BITTER WOMAN WHO WAS JUST KICKED OUT OF HER HUSBAND HOUSE, CAN'T BE CREDIBLE
ReplyDeleteDis story is coming from a place of rage, Barbara could have tell d story before she was being chased out of the house.
ReplyDeleteHaving lots of money comes with so much problems, i believe step mum is angry cos she won't receive any allowance or income from Oprah but she went a bit too far, so spiteful.
ReplyDelete