Featured in the latest issue of People Magazine, the TV mogul further points out that she fills any void left by not starting a family by focusing on her philanthropic efforts in South Africa.
- Oct 11, 2019
AceShowbiz - Oprah Winfrey has "not had one regret" over her decision not to marry or have kids.
The popular TV talk show host met longtime love Stedman Graham at a charity event in 1968 and, while the couple are still together, they remain unmarried.
In the latest issue of People Magazine, however, the 65-year-old insisted she's glad the pair never tied the knot, speculating it would have led to the breakdown of their relationship.
"No question about it - we would not stay married, because of what that would have meant to him, and I would have had my own ideas about it," "The Color Purple" star shared. "I have not had one regret about that."
Of her decision to not have kids, she mused, "At one point in Chicago I had bought an additional apartment because I was thinking, 'Well, if we get married, I'm going to need room for children.' "
However, the star admitted she saw "the depth of responsibility and sacrifice that is actually required to be a mother" while working on "The Oprah Winfrey Show", which put her off the idea.
"I realized, 'Whoa, I'm talking to a lot of messed-up people, and they are messed up because they had mothers and fathers who were not aware of how serious that job is,' " Oprah said. "I don't have the ability to compartmentalize the way I see other women do."
But the TV mogul went on to reflect her philanthropic efforts fill any void left by not starting a family, explaining, "I also believe that part of the reason why I don't have regrets is because I got to fulfil it in the way that was best for me: the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa."
"Those girls fill that maternal fold that I perhaps would have had. In fact, they overfill - I'm overflowed with maternal."
