Oprah reveals name for the son she lost shortly after giving birth

Oprah Winfrey spoke at Rod Laver Arena last night in Melbourne to thousands of adoring fans where she opened up about the child that she lost at just 14 years old.

The incredible talk show host opened up about her painful past including sexual abuse by family members and falling pregnant at just 14.

Oprah gave birth to a son who arrived prematurely and died shortly after.

In an interview with an Australian reporter last month, the reporter told Oprah that she “should name the baby son who died.”

As a result, Oprah has only just named her son that she never held almost 50 years after he was born.

“So I have named him, I had a little boy named Canaan,” Oprah said. “And I named him Canaan because Canaan means new land, new life.”

Oprah has previously talked about her sexual abuse past but this is the first time she has revealed her son’s name.

What a beautiful meaning her chosen name has. I hope that it has helped Oprah find some peace.

SHARE your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Main image source: Getty Images

20 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 14 Dec 2021
    10:47 am
Thats so lovely that she has now named him. How precious.

- - ella12 said
  - 02 Feb 2016
    4:45 pm
Very sad story but yes a beautiful meaning.

- - mel1 said
  - 09 Dec 2015
    9:53 am
She has overcome so much to become the woman she is. Hers is an amazing story. Naming her baby helps to value his short life and I hope it helps her too.

- - rovermum said
  - 07 Dec 2015
    10:57 am
I think this is a lovely way to remember the child she lost and to help with the grieving process.

- - mom93821 said
  - 06 Dec 2015
    5:27 pm
Losing a child leaves a huge hole in your heart.

- - crystalangela said
  - 04 Dec 2015
    9:18 pm
Such a tragic start to her life but she has overcome it all with such poise.

- - mom104811 said
  - 04 Dec 2015
    7:38 pm
I am so sorry to hear about her son.

- - Mummytoabeautifulprincess said
  - 04 Dec 2015
    4:58 pm
I knew she had suffered abuse from family but never knew that she had been pregnant. Lovely name she chose for her son.
- mom93821 replied
  
  31 Dec 2015 , 7:33 am
  I read her life story and it is very interesting and a good read.
- - mom165081 said
  - 04 Dec 2015
    9:19 am
Oprah never ceases to surprise and impress me. Talking about this stuff publicly – amazing and so very courageous. It docent matter how famous she is – this is tough.

- - mum4107 said
  - 04 Dec 2015
    5:40 am
The loss of a child is something you never get over

- - mom134803 said
  - 04 Dec 2015
    4:01 am
Aw, I didn’t know about her falling pregnant at age 14 and sexual abuse ! Bless her, she grew out to be a beautiful woman. Although her scars may stay, I hope her wounds have healed.

- - BellaB said
  - 03 Dec 2015
    11:07 pm
You never ever get over losing a baby.

- - mom71495 said
  - 03 Dec 2015
    11:00 pm
Such a beautiful person who has suffered such loss and tragedy in her life. May the LORD bless and strengthen you Oprah and restore you all that the enemy has robbed you of 120%. God bless you.

- - Missey Grace said
  - 03 Dec 2015
    9:53 pm
To us, Oprah is a beautiful, strong and wise woman, but we don’t really know the heartache she went through unless she decided to tell all. That’s courage.

- - Helley said
  - 03 Dec 2015
    9:45 pm
I was there – it was fantastic! Despite what a cynical Sydney reviewer said – she even DELAYED – and was NOT was deliberately (a la diva) late u twit! – the start if the show because NO ONE could get parking!!! No one missed the start thanks to her consideration!

- - Helley said
  - 03 Dec 2015
    9:38 pm
I was there last night. I can tell you it was truly a very inspiring night, nothing fake or put on about her (despite a rather cynical reviewer’s opinion from Sydney).
She also kindly delayed her show so all us poor Melbournians who had trouble parking (absolutely hopeless!) could see the start!!
She did do a ‘diva act’ and be deliberately late Mr Reviewer in Sydney!

- - mom90758 said
  - 03 Dec 2015
    5:18 pm
Oprah had such a terrible experience. It must have been so hard on her to open up. Hopefully having chosen such a beautiful name, with such a special meaning, will help her going on and getting closure.

- - mom94125 said
  - 03 Dec 2015
    2:53 pm
wow what was the reporter thinking? has she actually lost a child? it is good to name and acknowledge the child but it probably brought up a lot of mixed emotions for oprah.

- - mom160421 said
  - 03 Dec 2015
    1:30 pm
To some degree, time does heal wounds. Hopefully Oprah has found peace.