Oprah Winfrey opens up on heartbreakingly violent abuse she suffered during her 'lonely' childhood
Oprah Winfrey reflects on the horrific abuse in her new book
Oprah Winfrey has opened up on the harrowing abuse she endured as a child.
In poignant words from her new book What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, the iconic TV presenter and interviewer extraordinaire shared moments of her "lonely" childhood, recalling how she was beaten by her grandmother.
Touching on her heartbreaking experiences with abuse as a little girl, Oprah penned notes on her life in Mississippi with her abusive grandmother, who regularly "whupped" her.
Oprah was later "shuttled" between living with her father in Nashville and with her mother in Milwaukee, where she was made to sleep on the outside porch, facing "a terrified sense of loneliness".
A post shared by Oprah (@oprah)
A photo posted by on
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry, $22.30/£16 | Amazon
Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry explore how childhood trauma impacts our lives and how we can grow and heal from the things we suffered in the early years of life.
Discussing the book with Dr. Oz ahead of the release this week, Oprah recounted more devastating childhood memories.
Opening up on a time when she was violently punished for dipping her hands in the family's drinking water, Oprah said, "As I was bringing the water back, I was, like, playing with the water with my fingers like that in the water and my grandmother was looking out the window."
A post shared by Oprah (@oprah)
A photo posted by on
She added, "She’s like ‘Were you playing in the water? Did you have your fingers in that water? That’s our drinking water'."
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Sharing that she got a "really bad whipping for it", Oprah went on to say, "Later, when I put on my clothes to go to church, one of the welts from my back opened up and bloodied the, bloodied the dress, so, my emotion now is not because I feel such deep pain about it, I just feel pain for that little girl."
A post shared by Oprah (@oprah)
A photo posted by on
More from woman&home:
• Best books of 2021 to add to your reading list
• Best eReaders for literary lovers out of space on their bookshelf
• Best non-fiction books that you need to get your hands on
Oprah penned the book about childhood trauma with psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Perry, putting her name to the project in order to give the book "as much visibility as possible".
Announcing the news of the new book back in April, Oprah shared her hopes for it to help others come to terms with suffering childhood trauma similar to her own and to help those around those suffering to understand it.
"We hope that through these pages, we help people hold more empathy for themselves and others as we learn to shift from asking 'What’s wrong with you?' to 'What happened to you?'," she wrote on Twitter at the time.
Caitlin is News Editor for woman&home, covering all things royal, celeb, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Caitlin started on local papers and titles such as Cosmopolitan, Now, Reveal and Take a Break while studying for her Multimedia Journalism degree. She also worked in Fashion PR as a Press Assistant for Arcadia's Topshop before becoming a part of the Now team. Caitlin went on to add the likes of Woman, GoodtoKnow, WhatToWatch and woman&home to her writing repertoire before moving on to her current role.
-
Dr Amir Khan reveals 5 'really important' vitamins to help prevent hair loss
Over 50% of women over 70 will experience hair loss in their life. Dr Amir Khan took to Instagram to reveal the dietary changes we can make to help prevent it
By Grace Walsh Published
-
We can't stop thinking about Charlotte Hawkins' stunning burgundy maxi coat and matching velvet accessories
The This Morning presenter stole the show in the most elegant monochrome outfit for the Royal Christmas celebrations
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
The reason Gwyneth Paltrow 'can't' watch Oprah's interview with Harry & Meghan
It's actually so relatable
By Madeline Merinuk Published
-
Queen's surprising decision about Meghan and Harry's Oprah interview after 'massive challenge' revealed
Queen Elizabeth II did not want to 'rush' the response to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's allegations of racism against Buckingham Palace
By Emma Dooney Published
-
Meghan Markle's new podcast could be more 'damaging' than the Oprah interview for royal family
A royal writer believes it could be a chance for the Duchess to finally have her say
By Sarah Finley Published
-
Oprah Winfrey gives Ellen DeGeneres this wise tip upon ending her daytime show
Appearing on one of the final episodes ever of the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Oprah Winfrey tells her pal and talk show host to take some well-deserved time off
By Anna Rahmanan Published
-
Is Meghan Markle set for second 'damage control' Oprah interview during Queen's jubilee year?
Reportedly, Meghan Markle is lining up another Oprah interview as the Duchess is 'so sick of the negative headlines' about herself
By Laura Harman Published
-
Samantha Markle's lawsuit puts Meghan's 'credibility on the line', says US attorney
Meghan Markle is being sued by her half-sister, Samantha, for defamation
By Emma Dooney Published
-
Prince William 'didn't want' to attend Princess Diana's statue unveiling with Prince Harry after Oprah interview
Prince William was still 'reeling' over Prince Harry's comments about the Royal Family, a royal source has said
By Emma Dooney Published
-
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry plan to sell their Californian mansion
A royal source has confirmed the couple are unhappy with the location of the house
By Sarah Finley Published