News broke out a few weeks ago that Oprah has a secret half sister. I am not a big fan of Oprah as an entertainer, but I am a big fan of Oprah as a business woman. The news of Oprah’s secret sister came out of left field. As Oprah is a brilliant business woman, I am sure that she has done her homework on her secret sister. I am sure that Oprah made sure the two are in fact related by blood. However, no matter how happy Oprah is to have a new sister in her life, in my opinion we have to question this woman’s motives.
Sometimes in business (and in life) personal emotions can take over our logical thinking. However, I don’t think that this will be the case with Oprah Winfrey and her new secret sister, whose name is Patricia. I am sure that Oprah Winfrey will not lose her millions to her newfound sister; but she may give away a few hundred thousand dollars. Oprah is known for being generous with her riches.
It is safe to say that Patricia’s lifestyle will significantly change now that she is the sister of Oprah Winfrey. Oprah may be willing to pay for her sister’s new lifestyle, the lifestyle that comes with being the sister of a millionaire mogul. Patricia was in and out of foster homes as a child and she is a single mom with 2 kids. It is safe to say that Patricia is not as well off as Oprah; but then again, who is? Forbes reported that Oprah Winfrey made an estimated $315 million in 2010. The question that I have to ask is, should Oprah feel obligated to share her hard earned money with her new found sister?
Oprah Winfrey has created an empire that includes The Oprah Show, O Magazine, Oprah Radio, Harpo Creative Works, Harpo Films, as well as Harpo Productions. Oprah’s production company Harpo Productions produces television shows such as The Rachel Ray Show, The Dr. Oz Show, as well as Dr. Phil. We all know that she has money, but how did Oprah get to be so rich?
The answer is plain and simple, she controls everything. Of course Oprah makes money because people support her; she relates to the general public and she is likeable. There would be no money to make if people didn’t buy what Oprah was selling…by the millions. However, what Oprah does with the money that counts. Should she feel obligated to make her sister’s life better just because she has the money to do so? It is not Oprah’s fault that she didn’t know about her half sister, or that she missed several bonding years with her sister, or that she is financially well off. However, spending money on her sister will not make up for lost time.
I am not saying that Oprah’s sister Patricia is a gold-digger (can that term be used for family?). All I am saying is that I am sure that money had a big role to play in Patricia making contact with her half sister Oprah Winfrey. I am not sure if Patricia would have put in the same amount of effort if her sister was also a single mom with 2 kids. Could you imagine finding out that your secret half sister is Oprah Winfrey?….Cha-Ching!
Photo by Alan Light
If I found out Op was my half sister I would at least expect some kickass Christmas presents. Anything else would be gravy!
I don’t think Oprah should feel obligated to support her sister, but, she’s Oprah, and you know she’s going to give big. She gives homes/cars to complete strangers for chrissakes, of course she’s going to give all that and more to her sister and her sister’s children.
Maybe she really just did want to meet her. If I found out I had a half-sibling I would definitely want to meet him or her, regardless of financial status.
Obviously finding out you’re related to a rich and famous person does add some baggage. For starters, you might think “Maybe sis will put my kids through college” or “Maybe she’d give me a shot at a job with one of her companies.”
No one is OBLIGATED to share. But if I were Oprah I would start by setting up college funds for those children and then I’d ask my new sister whether she’d like to go to college herself, my treat. I’d also get them a decent house. But that’s just me.
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I think that you ought to
publish more about this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t discuss these subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!