Oprah Winfrey's father Vernon passes away at 88 after battling cancer

Oprah Winfrey’s father, Vernon Winfrey, has passed away at the age of 88.

The hard-working businessman was battling with cancer, and his daughter surprised him with a heartfelt surprise party to honor his life over the Independence Day holiday. 

The TV personality’s father owned a barbershop and was a city councilman in the city of Nashville during the course of his life. 

The 68-year-old uploaded a post on her Instagram earlier on Saturday with a heartfelt caption following the news of his passing. 

Oprah wrote out, ‘Less than a week ago we honored my father in his own backyard. My friend and gospel singer Wintley Phipps saluted him with song.’ 

‘He FELT the love and reveled in it until he could no longer speak. Yesterday with family surrounding his bedside I had the sacred honor of witnessing the man responsible for my life, take his last breath,’ she added, expressing that her father knew how much people loved and cherished him. 

‘We could feel Peace enter the room at his passing. That Peace still abides. All is well. Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts,’ the star stated at the end. 

Although the type of cancer Vernon was fighting hasn’t been released to the public, the business owner had a chance to be surrounded by friends and family over the holiday weekend. 

Oprah, 68, planned a backyard barbeque to honor him and labeled the celebration as Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Day. 

In a video uploaded onto her Instagram page, the talk show host explained what the event entailed. 

She stated that she was throwing the party, ‘because my father is ill. So we wanted to be able to have all of his friends come and celebrate him while he’s able to receive the joy.’