Oprah Winfrey's mother Vernita Lee dies aged 83 on #ThanksgivingDay

Oprah Winfrey has spoken out following the passing of her mother Vernita Lee, who died on Thanksgiving Day at the age of 83.

Winfrey shared a photo of her mother surrounded in a touching tribute she posted to Instagram on Monday. 'Thank you all for your kind words and condolences regarding my mother Vernita Lee's passing,' she wrote. 'It gives our family great comfort knowing she lived a good life and is now at peace.' Vernita's death was first revealed by Oprah's niece Alisha Hayes on Facebook.