Stedman Graham

Graham married Glenda Graham in 1974 and had a daughter with her, Wendy Graham. Wendy was born shortly after their marriage, in 1975. The marriage ended soon after and the couple shared the custody of their daughter.

Graham started dating TV anchor, Robin Robinson, in 1982 and the couple was inseparable for around three years. They would be seen together everywhere and became the toast for the tabloids. However, this relationship did not last very long either and they parted ways in 1985.

Graham is probably most famous for his relationship with media mogul, Oprah Winfrey. Oprah needs no introduction. She has redefined the way talk shows have been viewed in the US and the world. Graham started dating her in 1986 and they have sailed strong ever since. For over 30 years, Oprah and Graham have been together without actually marrying each other. They did get engaged in 1992 but they haven’t been ever been married. When asked about it, Graham said that he believed in their ‘spiritual union’, which does not require the validation of marriage.

Stedman Graham, Jr. is the son of Mary Jacobs Graham and Stedman Graham, Jr. He was born in Middle Township, New Jersey on March 6, 1951. He has five siblings among whom he is the eldest.

He received his early education from local schools in New Jersey before attending the Hardin-Simmons University in Texas and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from there in 1974. While there, he played college basketball and represented his university. He went on to receive a master’s degree in Education from Ball State University in Indiana in 1979.

Graham started his career right after obtaining his master degree from Ball State University. He moved from Indiana to North Carolina pursuing a career in Public Relations and immediately got a job at B & C Associates. He established himself very quickly as the go to man for Black causes. His sincerity and hard work did not go unnoticed and very early in his career he was working with stalwarts such as Maya Angelou, and Winnie Mandela, who eventually became the head of the African National Congress Women’s League.

In 1985, Graham founded the Athletes Against Drugs (AAD), a youth-oriented non-profit organization in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, AAD has helped thousands of young people and has granted over $1.5 million in scholarships. One of the primary aims of AAD, apart from providing scholarships to those who need it, is spreading awareness about, and preventing substance abuse among the youth. AAD arranges for world famous athletes and sportspersons in order to carry that task forward.

Three years after founding the AAD, Graham found the S.Graham & Associates in 1988. Based out of Chicago, Illinois, S.Graham & Associates is a management and consulting firm that specializes in educational and corporate marketing. Graham serves as the CEO of the company to this day.

In around 30 years of its existence, the company’s track record and credibility is enviable, and it boasts of a clientele that is extraordinary by any standards. It includes Merill Lynch, Harvard Business School, Apollo Group, Monster.com, the U.S Departments of Education and Labor to name a few.

Graham also founded the My Life Is About Foundation in 2008. This non-profit foundation helps teenagers and young adults to achieve the highest potential that they are capable of.

Oprah and Graham don’t have any kids but they do have three dogs that they treat as their children.

Graham played professional basketball for a while in Europe.