Oprah Winfrey has clarified that an ambush by her so-called “secret son” was a tabloid “setup” and confirmed that the man in question is not her child. The former daytime TV queen explained that she doesn’t have “a lost son,” but rather was accosted by a man named Calvin Mitchell whom she “befriended and tried to help” when he was a child.
Meeting Calvin Mitchell
Oprah Winfrey met Calvin Mitchell in the early 1990s while she was working on a TV movie called “There Are No Children Here.” Mitchell, a cute little boy, approached her on set and handed her a soda. Winfrey was charmed by him and started talking to him about his family and school life. She discovered that Mitchell and his mother were in a difficult situation, with his mother unemployed and their family stuck in the projects.
Winfrey decided to help Mitchell and his family by arranging for them to move out of the projects, enrolling Mitchell in a private school, and finding a job for his mother. However, despite her efforts, Mitchell was eventually expelled from his school. Winfrey gave him another chance by sending him to a private boarding school in Mississippi, but he claimed that the teachers didn’t like him and left the school.
The Setup
Recently, Mitchell approached Winfrey outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, where she was appearing on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” He asked to speak to her, and Winfrey, thinking he was the boy she once helped, asked her team to get his contact information. However, she later found out that the whole encounter was a setup orchestrated by the media. Winfrey lost interest in speaking to Mitchell once she realized the truth.
Oprah’s Lost Son
Oprah Winfrey has been open about the fact that she gave birth to a son when she was just 14 years old. Unfortunately, the baby boy died shortly after birth. Oprah has shared that she went through a period of devastation and felt betrayed by the person responsible for her pregnancy. She didn’t have the opportunity to hold or name her son at the time.
In 2015, during an event in Australia, Oprah revealed that she had decided to give her son a name. She named him Canaan, which means “new land” and “new life.” This naming was a way for Oprah to honor her son and acknowledge the impact he had on her life.
The Impact on Oprah’s Life
The experience of giving birth to and losing her son marked a significant turning point in Oprah Winfrey’s life. It was a moment of deep pain and reflection for her. She made a silent promise to herself to get out of her difficult circumstances and create a better life for herself. This determination and resilience propelled her to achieve great success in her career and become the influential figure she is today.
Oprah’s experience with Mitchell and her own personal journey inspired her to open the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007. She recognized the importance of providing support, education, and opportunities to young people who may be facing challenging circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Oprah Winfrey have a secret son?
No, Oprah Winfrey clarified that the man who approached her claiming to be her secret son was not her child. She had befriended him and tried to help him when he was a child, but the encounter was a setup orchestrated by the media.
2. What happened to Oprah Winfrey’s son?
Oprah Winfrey gave birth to a son when she was 14 years old, but the baby died shortly after birth. She did not have the opportunity to hold or name her son at the time. In 2015, Oprah revealed that she had named her son Canaan as a way to honor his memory.
3. Why did Oprah Winfrey open the Leadership Academy for Girls?
Oprah Winfrey’s experience with Calvin Mitchell and her own personal journey inspired her to open the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007. She recognized the importance of providing support, education, and opportunities to young people who may be facing challenging circumstances.
4. What is the meaning behind the name Canaan?
Oprah Winfrey named her son Canaan, which means “new land” and “new life.” The name symbolizes a fresh start and the hope for a better future.