News Vernita Lee, mother of Oprah Winfrey, dies in Milwaukee at age 83 November 26, 2018November 26, 2018 Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Comments Off on Vernita Lee, mother of Oprah Winfrey, dies in Milwaukee at age 83 Vernita Lee, Oprah Winfrey's mother, died on Thanksgiving at her home in Milwaukee, her family announced Monday. She was 83.