$1 Rumors: Oprah’s Mom Past Due On Bill admin Monday, September 8, 2008 $1 Rumors, Credits & Debits (Photo Source) TMZ reports that Vernita Lee, Oprah Winfrey’s mother, accumulated a $150,000 past due bill at a Brookefeild, WI clothing boutique. The owners of Valentina are now taking Vernita to court over the unpaid balance. The store’s attorney said that she hasn’t made her minimum $2,000 monthly payment for some time now. Ms. Lee’s attorney has not yet responded to TMZ’s request for comment.