Barbara Winfrey opens up on billionaire talk queen Oprah Winfrey

Tears streaming down her face Barbara Winfrey takes stock and surveys the empty space inside the vast $1.4 million mansion.


The 66-year-old grandmother yesterday said goodbye to the impressive five-bedroom property in Franklin, south Nashville – a place she has called home for 14 years, and MailOnline captured the moments of her emotional farewell exclusively.

She had until midnight to vacate the house after being booted out by talk show queen Oprah Winfrey.
 Barbara was evicted following a bitter 18-month divorce battle with the star’s elderly father Vernon Winfrey.

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Moving on: Barbara Winfrey, the ex-wife of Oprah's father Vernon, was booted out of her home by the talk queen yesterday. Oprah 'gifted" the five -bedroom home to Vernon and Barbara shortly after they married 14 years ago. But Oprah never really gave up ownership and control of the own - and her father's finances

Real estate: Barbara doesn't know what Oprah will do with the $1.4 million mansion. 'Oprah's a billionaire three times over, her help live better than this,' says Barbara

And the former high-school vice-principal – who is now homeless and facing the prospect of living in motels – believes Oprah had a ‘personal vendetta’ against her and deliberately tried to ‘destroy’ her life.


In an exclusive interview with MailOnline an emotional Barbara said: ‘That woman has set out to ruin me, destroy me.
 To take this house away is petty, this has been my home for 14 years.


‘Oprah’s a billionaire three times over, her help live better than this. She said publicly that she offered to sell the house and give me the proceeds, but that’s a lie, she never said that.


‘Oprah owns property all over the world so there is no reason to sell this house other than to spite me, it’s a personal vendetta.’


Barbara’s stinging attack is reinforced in bombshell legal documents seen by MailOnline and revealed for the first time today.


The legal papers claim Oprah took part in a ‘conspiracy’ to force her father to divorce Barbara and kick her out of her home.
The chat queen is said to have attended ‘secret meetings’ with dad Vernon during which they plotted to get Barbara out of the property.

Vernon has denied those claims.

Happier days: Oprah wrote 'Love & Blessings' on this photograph of her and Barbara taken at the superstar's 50th birthday party in Chicago in 2004. But Oprah hasn't shown her stepmother much love in words or deed over the years, says Barbara

The lawsuit states that one took place on Mother’s Day in May 2012 - and Vernon filed for divorce just a month later.


Barbara also alleges that Oprah was so intent on orchestrating the split that she threatened to cut Vernon off financially unless he broke up with her.


Vernon denies that his famous daughter has ever intervened or threatened to cut the trust.

The claims are revealed in never before reported depositions made at the height of Vernon and Barbara’s divorce battle, which lasted 18 months before being resolved.

In that time Barbara says she has learned the hard way not to cross her daughter-in-law.

A world away from the inspirational figure who adorns our TV screens on a regular basis, the Oprah Barbara describes is manipulative, high-handed and the ‘devil’ incarnate, Barbara said in MailOnline's exclusive interview.

‘What she has done is nothing short of evil, but she doesn’t scare me, her actions cause me to disrespect her,’ says Barbara.


Vernon has let Barbara keep most of the furniture in the home, only taking a few items he wanted to keep.

‘We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on furniture, everything was high end,' she said.

..

'What she has done is nothing short of  evil, but she doesn’t scare me'

                                                       
                                 - Barbara Winfrey

For now the furniture will sit in storage and a mini grand piano which held pride of place in the front room has been moved to a friend's house.

But defiant Barbara vowed: ‘I’m leaving with less than I had before the marriage, but eventually I’m gonna have a home as nice as this or better.'

Barbara does get to keep her beloved Mercedes SL500, however.

Oprah bought her the luxury car as a gift 11 years ago during a shopping spree during a visit to Tennessee.

‘It’s got mine and her name on it so she can’t take my Mercedes,’ said Barbara.

‘It’s 11 years old with 125,000 miles on it so it won’t be worth much.’
While we talk, Barbara is perched on a high stool at the granite worktop in the mansion’s huge $60,000 kitchen.
The spacious five-bed, five bath property is on a sprawling private estate and set in its own woodland.


Scene from a marriage: Barbara and Vernon were good together for a time. But things began to go sour after Barbara discovered he cheated in his barber shop with a crack-addicted prositiute called 'One Tooth'

It also boasts a library, billiards room, bar and wine cellar.


Barbara’s pet dog Fluff, a Yorkie-poodle mix, yapped at the feet of the movers as the house was systematically cleared of all furniture and belongings and loaded into a U-Haul truck all day yesterday.


The former educator let out a deep sigh as she reflected on the move and the woman who has caused her so much heartache.


Barbara believes Oprah has taken ‘pleasure’ in uprooting her from her home.


‘That’s why I feel sorry for her because I don’t understand the evilness,’ she said.

‘I’m at the point in life when I should be enjoying my retirement. Instead I have to contend with this.


‘There’s a difference between wanting to hurt someone, but to destroy them? To take their money, to take their credit, take their property, I don’t understand that, that’s evilness I can’t comprehend.’


In a previous interview with MailOnline Barbara accused Oprah of helping Vernon hatch an ‘escape plan’ to get out of their marriage and the divorce depositions give unprecedented detail into how it apparently worked.


Over hundreds of pages, the depositions and divorce proceedings lay bare the anatomy of a 14-year marriage gone awfully wrong.


Boxed in: Vernon is letting Barbara keep most of the furniture they bought as a couple. She's putting those pieces and other personal possessions in storage until she can find a place of her own

Among her souvenirs: Movers help Barbara pack of her furniture and treasure from her marriage to Vernon

They detail how Barbara imposed a three-year sex ban on Vernon, 81, after obtaining a video of him having sex with a crack addicted prostitute called ‘Ol’ one Tooth’ in his Nashville barbershop a couple of years earlier.

Yesterday Barbara told MailOnline how she reacted to the shocking discovery.

‘It was disgusting and absolutely humiliating at the same time.

‘That whole episode still hurts deep down. I always wanted to make the shop nice, make it a better business, I never knew it had been a hang out place for prostitutes.’

The video – which Barbara has hidden in a safe place - purportedly shows Vernon and a group of his friends receiving oral sex in turn from the prostitute while they sit in the barber's chair.

'After I found out I couldn’t forgive, forgiving is something I have to do it for myself. I never gave up, I just needed time to heal, but Vernon wouldn’t give me time, he was selfish.’
In his deposition Vernon is apologetic about the incident.
He said: ‘I just told her that I was in error, and I’m very sorry, worst thing I’ve ever done since I’ve been married, and asked if she would forgive me.’
Vernon also denies ever having any other sexual encounters with women behind his ex-wife’s back.
Embarrassingly, in her deposition, Barbara reveals another reason she refused sex was because Vernon took the Viagra pill.

Member of the wedding: Oprah didn't exactly embrace Barbara Winfrey when she became part of the family. But she certainly made a show of it in front of the camera, says Barbara, who married Vernon Winfrey in Nashville on June 17, 2000. Oprah's long-time love Stedman Graham was there too

Showtime: Oprah was front and center at her father's wedding to Barbara. But behind the scenes Barbara says she and her husband were often treated like second class citizens. At a gala at Oprah's palatial home in Santa Barbara, the couple were seated far away from celebrities in attendance and told not to socialize with them

She said: ‘And Viagra will go on and on and on for hours. And at his age  - I knew he had had a stroke already, and I was not about to have this man have a heart attack on me.’

In her deposition, Barbara  rakes over Vernon’s bad habits, his sexism, his drinking, bad hearing and the fact he’d spread private gossip about his wife in his barbershop.
It also detailed the time when Vernon allegedly threatened to pull a gun on Barbara in their home.
She said she had returned home late one night and Vernon, who had been drinking, asked her where she had been.
When she replied, ‘I just went out,’ Vernon was less than pleased.
Barbara said: ‘He said, I have a gun in my pocket. And he said, I will use it. He started chasing me around the island in the kitchen.’
But Vernon countered: ‘I’m standing here talking with my hand in my pockets on the housecoat. I admit my gun was down here (indicating). But I never attempted – she never saw the gun…I never pulled it out, that’s why I never threatened her.’

'Viagra will go on and on for hours. I was not about to have this man have a heart attack on me’

In another incident Vernon allegedly threatened to push Barbara down the stairs, another claim he denies.
The depositions also reveal just how much Oprah, 60, has been supporting her father for much of his life.

In January 1998 she set up a trust in Vernon’s name into which she paid $1.9 million, giving Vernon annual payments of up to $176,000.

During his marriage to Barbara she gave her father another $1 million.

What should happen to the money became the focus of the divorce.

In her deposition she is asked by Robert Davies, Vernon’s lawyer: ‘I want you to tell me what you mean when you say Mr Winfrey has conspired with his daughter and with (Vernon’s ‘adopted’ son) Thomas Walker to take actions designed to deprive the wife of her equitable interest in their marital property.


Precious cargo: Barbara's pooch Fluff, a Yorkie-poodle mix, sitting pretty

‘What conspiracy are you telling the court about?’
 Barbara replies that they ‘have secret meetings’ and points to one on Mother’s Day 2012 at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, which is where she and Vernon were married.

Barbara said for that reason 'they specifically picked that hotel to send a message to me'.

She claims she asked to attend but she was rebuffed - and afterwards Vernon made a crucial admission.

Barbara said: ‘He (Vernon) also said that his daughter (Oprah) - he said his daughter told him that she would cut his trust money off if he did not divorce me.’

It was only after the Vernon said their marriage was over that Barbara started to ask questions about what was going on, she says.


 

Barbara Winfrey is being forced out of her home by Oprah

Under questioning by Rose Palermo, Barbara’s attorney, Vernon is asked about the Phoenix II trust, which was set up on June 27th 2012, two days after he filed for divorce.

The trust is in the name of Thomas Walker, Vernon’s 'adopted' son, and is primarily to benefit him.

However Palermo points out that the trustee ‘may distribute any amounts of the principal (sum) as may be required for the health, support, and maintenance of Vernon Winfrey’.

Trustee Tolbert Chisum, a friend of Oprah and her long-time boyfriend Stedman Graham, says that Barbara's 'first request' for a settlement for her divorce from Vernon was $5 million.
Barbara then came back with a reduced request that was 'maybe a million, or half a million'.
Ultimately, Barbara says she came away with ‘absolutely nothing’ from the lengthy proceedings.

O: Copies of Oprah's magazine, are scattered about the house. Barbara had a subscription

Fame: A board with People magazine's first cover of Oprah hung in Barbara and Vernon's house. She got custody

To this Chisum replied that Oprah responded: 'Absolutely not. No settlement'.
Chisum admitted in the deposition that  Oprah 'doesn't like' Barbara.
‘Oprah took it all, after 14 years I haven’t got a cent to show for it,’ she told MailOnline.
Asked why Oprah was so involved with something that was not directly to do with her, Chisum said: 'Because it is her father'.
Vernon also revealed Oprah’s long-term partner Stedman Graham and close friend Gayle King were charged with managing Vernon’s trust at various points in the past.
In her first interview with MailOnline when she received a notice that she had to leave her home, Barbara revealed Oprah has extremely bizarre relationships with Stedman and Gayle.
Oprah began dating Stedman in 1986 but, according to Barbara, in all the times she saw them together she never once witnessed them hold hands or kiss.

Overwhelmed: Barbara claims in her deposition that Oprah was so intent on orchestrating the split that she threatened to cut Vernon off financially unless he broke up with her. Vernon denied it

Such was suspicious Oprah’s control over Stedman, Barbara claims, she had her security detail follow him to keep tabs on his movements.

As for Gayle, Barbara says they are on the phone three, four times a day and rarely leave each other’s side when together.
She believes Oprah and Gayle's relationship is 'unhealthy'.
Vernon and Barbara met in the 1990s whilst she was working as Vice Principal at Brentwood High School, a respected public school in Nashville.

Vernon ran a barber shop in a rundown area of East Nashville was a local landmark – it has been there for more than 50 years – and was a respected councillor and local figure.

After Vernon’s first wife died they got together but things turned ‘sour’ in 2007, seven years into their marriage.

Barbara claims that by then she had got fed up with Vernon watching boxing until 2am in their bedroom and staying out until 3am playing checkers with his friends.

She also alleges that he drank too much, which Vernon denied, and was sexist, something Vernon does not dispute.
In his deposition Vernon says: ‘Well, my complaints about it that - and I have told Barbara several times that a lady has a place and a man has a place.
‘But Barbara told me that her place is wherever she wants to be. I could never make her understand that there was a place for a lady and a place for a man.
‘As a man, I'm supposed to be head of the house. But I was wearing the britches or pants, but she was the head. She was running everything. I didn't like that.’
Vernon admitted that he had a love for the boxing and watched it in the bedroom, but added: ‘It hadn’t bothered her for 10 or 11 years, but it started bothering her.’
He also hit back at Barbara claiming she also vanished till late at night, sometimes dressed up and out till 10 or 11 at night.

Oldie but goodie: Barbara does get to keep her beloved Mercedes SL500. Oprah bought her the luxury car as a gift 11 years ago during a shopping spree. It has 125,000 miles on it

He said: ‘I’m wondering where she is that long. We got to arguing about it when she got back…that’s hard on an old man with a young lady. I didn’t know where she was going.’
For her part, Barbara said that she had complaints about him saying that she ‘didn't stay in my place’.
She said in her deposition: ‘I don't know what that means. This is 2013.
‘Everything else came before me. The barbershop people, the neighborhood people, the church people, the family people, everybody came before his wife.
‘I was at the bottom of the list.’
In November last year a judge blamed Vernon for the split “on the grounds of adultery and inappropriate marital conduct.”
Donald P. Harris, a Special Judge in the Tennessee Supreme Court, ordered him to pay his ex-wife almost $70,000 in attorney fees.
During proceedings it was revealed that Vernon gifted a property that he and his wife had owned — free-of-charge - to another man.
Vernon allowed it to go into foreclosure “knowing that it would be purchased by his daughter… to defeat any interest of Barbara Winfrey.”
As a result, Judge Harris penalized Vernon for his apparent scheming, ordering that he be held liable for one of the pair’s loan accounts and Barbara “be held harmless” because of his actions.
“Thus, the marital estate has a net value of $121,686,” the judge noted.
“The court is of the opinion that each of the parties be awarded property and indebtedness with a net value of $60,843. Vernon Winfrey is awarded all the marital property except for the household furnishings located in the marital residence.'
But Barbara said: ‘Yes I got the furniture, but after I paid the attorney fees, all the bills and expenses I didn’t have a dime left, no alimony, nothing.’
It was not until November 2012, five months after the divorce had been filed, that Barbara discovered that she would be evicted from her home. 

Oprah had bought the property with her money and so kept her name on the title, meaning she was legally allowed to sell it.

Barbara claims that to rub salt in the wound Oprah called her up and told her: ‘You say I never talk to you?
‘I want to talk to you now. You have until Monday to get out of MY house.’

As a result of Oprah’s actions Barbara now faces the ultimate humiliation - she must find a roof over her head.
Which for an intelligent, university educated older woman who has had a successful life, family and career cuts deep.
‘I’m homeless for now, but I will stay at my daughter’s or at a friends, or even a motel if I have to. I am a survivor,’ she said.

‘It is difficult but you have to deal with what’s been dealt you, it’s just stuff at the end of the day, you can’t take it with you.’

The normally energetic gran says that while she is ‘exhasuted’ by the near two year divorce battle but is glad it’s finally over.

‘I’ve been here a little over 14 years, this was mine and Vernon’s family home, she said.
‘But in a way today is a happy as well as a sad day.’


One door closes: I've come from nothing so I know how to survive,' Barbara says. 'I'm trying to stay positive, it's a new day for me'

She explains that what hurts most is the fact she ploughed so much time and energy into home-making for her husband.

Pointing through the huge windows which let the light pour in Barbara said: ‘The house was a gift, Oprah told us it was a gift to us, we were allowed to pick it out, sign all the papers. We came to love this house.
‘Everybody keeps saying the divorce has been about the house, because it’s a million dollar property.

‘But it’s not about just a house, to me it’s a home.
‘We had good memories, bad memories, I have invested a lot of love and affection into it.’

Tears welling up in her eyes as she recounts the past 14 years, Barbara points to her beloved hydrangea flower bed and a yellow rose bush she gently nurtured to maturity.

‘I remember watching Oprah cook purple hull peas on the stove in the kitchen, I remember cooking pound cakes for the family,' she said. 'We had good times here.’

Surprisingly, Barbara still holds a flickering candle for her ex-husband and worries about his health.

Vernon lives alone in a $400,000 four bed home his celebrity daughter bought him in Nashville.

‘Vernon and I are still friends, we speak on the phone once a week, but I can’t go to see him, there are people watching,’ says Barbara.

‘But I feel so sorry for him, there’s no one looking after him.’

And in a dig at Oprah she adds: ‘Why would you put your 81-year-old dad in a four bedroom house to live by himself.’

Barbara says friends have reported that Vernon is dirty, with long finger nails and in need of a hair cut.
‘I worry about him cooking for himself or leaving the stove on, I know how he was here, he’s had a stroke, he doesn’t process stuff the way he used to, he has memory problems and hearing loss.
‘He’s an old man, he needs someone to care for him.’

For now, Barbara must focus on her own future.

Without a home or a husband, she must scrape by on her teacher’s pension and her social security allowance.
She says she has some new business ventures underway and will plough her time into educating young people.

‘I’ve come from nothing so I know how to survive,’ she says.
‘It gives me a chance to get on with a new life. People may say, ‘what is a 66-year-old woman talking about a new life for’, but that’s the way I am.
‘I’m trying to stay positive, it’s a new day for me.'

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President Barack Obama reveals Malia attended her first prom - but wouldn't say if she had a date

President Obama has revealed that his older daughter Malia has gone through the teenage rite of passage by attending her first prom.
He wouldn't say whether she had a date or went with friends, joking that it was 'classified information'.
The President opened up about his daughters and how fast they are growing up during an interview that aired on Live! With Kelly and Michael this morning.

Cat out of the bag: President Obama revealed today (left) that his daughter Malia (right, in November) attended her first prom this spring

Obama announces daughter went to first school prom dance

Obama says it was 'a little bit jarring' to see his 15-year-old 10th grader in heels for the first time, before adding that Malia looked beautiful.
Speaking generally about the prospect of his daughters beginning to date, he said that he doesn't
think he'd been too intimidating for any boy who might roll up to the White House to pick Malia up.
The president says he and the first lady were worried that growing up in the White House would give their daughters 'an attitude' but proudly boasted that they have remained respectful, kind and considerate young women.
That result, he said, is a result of Mrs Obama's maternal instincts.

Big interview: Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan taped the interview in the White House and it aired Friday

'I'm labor, she's management,' he joked about their parental roles.
'(Michelle)'s a brilliant lawyer and was a very strong professional and smart as can be when it comes to policy... but what drives her and she's passionate about is children.'

Tall in heels: Malia, seen with her father last June, has grown rapidly since her father's first term

One thing he did say that his wife won't undertake is a political career of her own.
When asked by Kelly what he would say if Michelle turned to him in 10 years and said that she wanted to run for office, the President said: 'I would say where did you take my wife because I was sure there was an alien body-snatching going on.'
'One thing I can promise you is Michelle will not run for office.'
In the rapid fire round of questions at the end of the taped interview, President Obama admitted to being an intense trash talker during the basketball games he hosts at the White House, but also credits the playful banter as the reason why he feels his opponents don't just let him win.
'They will tell you that they don't let me win because I trash talk so much that it's not worth it,' he said.
'When they hit me and knock me down they get nervous.'
The most damaging incident came when the President was accidentally hit in the face with another player's elbow, sending Obama to the White House doctor to receive 12 stitches on his lip.
'He just swung around and whacked me,' the President said of the player, without revealing his name.
'I'm not sure the got invited back but I did send him a picture' of the cut, he said, with a note that read 'you're the only man who ever got away with cold clocking the President'.
The interview was timed to coincide with his Thursday announcement of a push for further study on youth concussions.

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Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco expecting their first baby

Monaco's Prince Albert II and his South African wife Charlene are expecting their first child together, they announced today.
The 36-year-old South African former Olympic swimmer and her husband, 56, issued a statement through the royal palace expressing their 'immense joy'.
It said: 'Prince Albert and Princess Charlene have the immense joy to announce they are expecting a happy event. The birth is due at the end of the year.'

Pregnant: Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II at the Formula One Grand Prix Gala Dinner in Monte Carlo last week 

The news is sure to please the palace and end recent speculation about why Charlene, after nearly three years of marriage with 56-year-old Albert, had not yet provided a legitimate heir to the jet-set European principality.
The couple married in July 2011 in an opulent ceremony in the principality of Monaco, stomping ground of the rich known for its Grand Prix car race.
Prince Albert is the son of the late Prince Rainier III and actress Grace Kelly. Kelly set aside a career in Hollywood to become Princess Grace but died after a car crash in 1982.
Before her marriage into the ancient House of Grimaldi, whose family members have ruled since 1297, Charlene Wittstock was a national champion swimmer from South Africa.

Expecting: Prince Albert II and his South African wife Princess Charlene at the Monaco Grand Prix

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco kissing at the Saint Devote church after their religious wedding ceremony in Monaco in 2011

Prince Albert is the son of the late Prince Rainier III and actress Grace Kelly

  

Monaco's Prince Albert and his wife are expecting a child

The couple met when Albert presided over a swimming race in 2000 in which Wittstock was competing.
The royal family has been most recently in the news over the film that kicked off the Cannes Film Festival this month, 'Grace of Monaco' by French director Olivier Dahan.
The film starring Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly was derided by Albert and his two sisters, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie, as 'a farce' based on 'erroneous and dubious historical references'.
The Duchess of Cambridge became pregnant with Prince George around a year-and-a-half after she married Prince William in April, 2011.
Albert is believed to be the father of at least two children out of wedlock and supports them from his multi-million pound fortune.
However, neither Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, who graduated from Fordham University's Bronx, New York, last month or Alexandre Coste, 10, has a claim to the throne.
Until the baby is born, the Monegasque heir remains Princess Caroline - Albert's older sister - and then her eldest son, Andrea Casiraghi, who's recently become a father.
The Monaco baby news is likely to set off a frenzy in the fashion press as to how she will dress her bump.
Demure Princess Charlene is known for her elegant fashion style, patronising designers such as Giorgio Armani, who designed her couture wedding dress.
Since her marriage, Charlene is styled as Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco. The previous holder of the style was her husband's mother, Grace Kelly, who died in 1982.

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Mark Zuckerberg's wife on how money changed his style, growing up to refugee parents and why they've now donated $120million towards California schools

Mark Zuckerberg's famously private wife Priscilla Chan has given her first television interview, opening up about her marriage, growing up with refugee parents and her billionaire husband's trademark clothing item - hoodies.

Chan, 29, revealed little has changed since she first met the Facebook founder at a Harvard University fraternity party more than a decade ago.

'He has graduated to a nicer hoodie. The main quality about this hoodie that's nicer is that it's softer, so he's really excited about that,' she said, in an exclusive interview with Today's Savannah Guthrie.

'I’m pro-hoodie. He wears a fresh hoodie every day so that pretty much meets my lowest barrier for him...I'm happy with whatever he wants to wear, as long as it's appropriate for where we're going.'

While the recent medical graduate normally shuns the limelight, she has bared all for the first time in order to promote a cause dear to her heart - education.

The power couple today pledged $120 million to the San Francisco school district through their foundation, Startup: Education, to improve technology used in the classrooms over the next five years.

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Supportive partner: Priscilla Chan (left) told Today's Savannah Guthrie (right) in an exclusive interview that she didn't mind her husband Mark Zuckerberg wearing hoodies, as long as they suited the occasion

Speaking out: Mark Zuckerberg's famously private wife Priscilla Chan (pictured) has given her first television interview to Today, opening up about her marriage, dog and love of education

'We live in Palo Alto, which has, fortunately, one of the greatest school districts in the country,' the medical resident said.
'But right next door, actually within walking distance of our home, is East Palo Alto that has a K-8 system that has a lot of unmet needs that the public school district is struggling to make up the difference for at this time.'
Chan, who is training to become a pediatrician, said the education of underprivileged children is hugely important to her, as her parents were refugees (Chinese and Vietnamese) and she was the first in her family to go to college.
She was an interpreter for her grandparents who didn't speak English and was encouraged to go to college by her teachers.
'My public school teachers did a great job of saying, ‘Check this out. You're qualified for this. You should explore these opportunities.' They're the ones who said, ‘You know, apply to Harvard. You might be a good fit here',' Chan, who speaks English, Cantonese and Spanish fluently, said.
'And then when I got to Harvard, it was even more opportunities that I didn't know existed. So their effects have only compounded over time.'

Philanthropists: Power couple Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg have donated $120 million to the San Francisco Bay Area's public school system

Devoted: Priscilla Chan has revealed she would like to be a mom, but admitted she and husband Mark Zuckerberg treat their Hungarian sheep dog beast like a child

Chan and Zuckerberg, 30, have made philanthropy a central theme of their life together, joining Warren Buffet and Bill Gates's Giving Pledge to give away most of their wealth.

However, Chan has been forced to defend the couple's $100 million donation to Newark, New Jersey's public school system, with critics saying the money has so far failed to fix the city's ailing school system. After four years, the money is nearly gone and a lot of people are angry.

'We've invested in Newark's children, the schools and teachers and these are long-term bets that need a number of years to really pan out,' Chan, the eldest of three siblings, told Today.

'We've seen and learned how important it is to listen to the community, and really get a sense of what they need and want. And it's a long journey.'

Meanwhile Chan and Zuckerberg have been on their own long journey. The pair married in their Palo Alto backyard in 2012 after dating for nine years.

They would like to have children, but so far are obsessed with their Hungarian sheep dog Beast, who is like their child and has his own Facebook page.

Chan, however, admits her first impressions of the social network mogul weren't very good.

Loved up: Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan met as Harvard classmates and dated for nearly a decade before tying the knot in May 2012 in their backyard

Fashion sense: Priscilla Chan said she supports her husband Mark Zuckerberg's love of hoodies, which he wears nearly every day

'I thought he was just this really interesting guy, who really wasn't that studious,' she said.

'On our first date, he told me that he'd rather go on a date with me than finish his take-home midterm. The type-A first child in me was appalled.'

The Massachusetts native said she tried to send him home so he could finish the test, which made her beau think she wasn't interested.

'Turns out he was just trying to convince me to spend more time with him,' she said. 'And I've since learned that he's very bright. And his type of learning is different than my approach to learning.'

However Chan's learning standards are very high, having been voted 'class genius' in high school.

'I actually had a lot of very smart peers. The other 'class genius' is now a nuclear physicist,' she told Today.

As for being described as the first lady of Facebook and the Kate Middleton of social media, the medical resident said it is cringe-worthy, and she would rather be known for her work with Bay Area schools.

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Go crazy in a bold blue dress like Katy's

Katy Perry is never one to shy away from a strong look. From cupcake bras to slime green hair, you name it; she's been there and got the T-shirt.
But just when we thought we'd seen it all, here she is wearing this Froot Loops breakfast cereal print dress on the cover of Cosmo. That kind of craziness could only be Jeremy Scott for Moschino, whose latest collection contained prints inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants, McDonald's, Cheetos and Hershey’s.
It is taken from the Fall 2014 collection, which was modelled by Katy herself at the runway show back in February with fellow pop princess Rita Ora. And although it might not be the most wearable of dresses, the bandeau shape and peplum flare make it super flattering.
It isn't available to buy, but after it has graced the pages of Cosmopolitan in 62 countries around the world, it's sure to be much in demand. So on that note, take inspiration from Katy with your pick from our slightly less out there alternatives below. Then pair yours with clashy colour pop heels to make sure you keep it Katy-esque.

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Try something different with an embellished lilac dress

Katy Perry’s tour wardrobe boasts some serious designer names. Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, Moschino and The Blonds have all designed looks for the concerts, as well as lesser known names like Todd Tomas and Nicolas Jebran. Ah, to have the world of fashion at your fingertips!
One of the standout pieces is this purple embellished dress by Sicilian designer Fausto Puglisi. Known as the next Roberto Cavalli, the designer has worked with Dolce and Gabbana in the past and showed his first collection under his eponymous label last October.
Katy's dress has inspired us to get a lilac embellished number for our next night out, and we’ve found four similar numbers for our edit below. The colour is one that will make you stand out among the crowd, and is great to show off your tan- whether it's real or fake! We are LOVING Miss Selfridge’s 20s vibe number and ASOS’s rendition is reduced to £29.50!

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Pull off colour pop purple like Katy Perry

It seems that a boat down the River Thames is the new way for stars to arrive at the O2 Arena in London. Miley Cyrus did it earlier this month and now Katy Perry has been travelling in style to skip the traffic jams too.
She looked her usual quirky self wearing a velvet blazer with pearl buttons and an embellished little black dress. All finished off with a Chanel backpack, slime green hair and red sunglasses in a way that only Ms. Perry could pull off.
But it was her purple platform pumps that really stood out, although we bet they didn't help her find her sea legs! They're by Brian Atwood, a label loved by the likes of Beyoncé, Kelly Osbourne and Miranda Kerr. Sadly, they're only available to buy in the States, but if you're making a trip across the pond sometime soon, then click (right) now.
Although if you'd rather stay close to home, we've got colourful shoes covered in the edit below. Purple heels are perfect when paired with an all-black ensemble to let your feet do all the talking. Or why not be bold and team yours with a clashy colour to try the two tone trend?

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Sparkle like a firework in a multicolour sequin dress like Katy Perry

She’s a fan of sequins, colour, bodycon, and anything that makes a statement- so this Emilio Pucci dress was the perfect choice for Katy Perry’s global Cosmopolitan cover.
The singer looked like her usual quirky self in the rainbow number from the brand’s spring/summer 2014 collection. We especially love how it matches with her green locks!
Helmed by creative director Peter Dundas since 2009, Emilio Pucci is the go-to brand for sexy colourful dresses that are the very definition of Italian glamour. Many a popstar have been spotted in the label in the past, and Rihanna, Katy and Miley are big fans. The brand even designed some of Beyonce’s wardrobe for her Mrs. Carter tour. It's definitely one of our wishlist labels!
The sad news is Katy’s dress is sold out- although maybe it’s good news for our credit card seeing as it cost over 4 grand! But we love the crazy, colourful look and we’ve picked four sparkly stunners for our edit below which are guaranteed to dazzle. Our fav is ASOS’s Kaledioscope number- so beautiful and unusual!

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Rock out like Rihanna in a classic black biker jacket

Rihanna might have raided Nicki Minaj's wig closet to make herself a master of disguise, but when it came to her outfit she seemed to have looked more towards the likes of Angelina Jolie for inspiration. As we well know, her mantra is that black is the new black, and it definitely seemed to work for RiRi.
In addition to that bubblegum pink wig, she wore black biker boots, a huge statement necklace and this gorgeous Givenchy oversized leather jacket. We have spotted her wearing it before and it's actually taken from the Fall 2008 collection. No wonder she's gone shopping for some new clothes, this is positively vintage!
We love the boxy fit of this biker jacket as well as the buttery soft leather. And unless you've been living under a rock for the last decade or so, you'll know that a biker jacket is an absolute must in any style savvy woman's wardrobe, particularly in spring.
Givenchy is the most talked about label in the world right now after Kim Kardashian's big white dress was by Riccardo Tisci. Sadly this jacket is no longer available to buy, but we’ve found some hot options on the high street that won’t break the bank.

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Layer up in style in Rihanna's baseball hoodie

Could this be Rihanna's most ghetto fabulous look yet?
The singer was spotted in LA, looking the epitome of urban chic, in distressed jeans by Acne, Nike high tops and a hoodied top by cult US label Joyrich, which also counts Rita Ora, Amber Rose and Kylie Jenner as fans.
The sportswear trend is one of Spring's leading stories this Spring, and varsity looks just like Rihanna's hoodie were a huge hit on the runways at Marc By Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger.
Rihanna's gone for a slouchy look, but you could always spin the trend by teaming it with a sleek pencil skirt, or layered over graphic print dresses.
Rihanna's hoodie is sold out in black, but it's still available in white by clicking to the right.
Or get the look for less, and check out our edit of the best printed hoodies below, with styles new in at Asos, Motel, River Island and Selfridges.

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Update your look with a leather blazer like Kim's

rom Paris to Florence to Ireland to Prague... we just can't keep up with the newlywed Kim Kardashian West!
Nothing she wears will ever be as good as the gorgeous Givenchy gown she wore for her wedding, but this blazer definitely comes close. And if this is her on a dressed down day, we need to rethink our wardrobes!
The reality princess was spotted (along with one or two Kim clones) wearing this leather blazer worth nearly £3000. It's by super high end label Balmain, something you can tell from the double breasted style, sharp shoulders and giveaway signature gold buttons.
Her is now all sold out, but if you've got a Kardashian sized budget then click (right) to invest in the tweed version now. For the rest of us let's reduce costs and see what the high street has for us. G-Star does a mid-range look or try Boohoo's blazer with faux leather sleeves. Then style it over jeans or as an edgy cover up for your little black dress.

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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West leave a hotel in Prague... flanked by #Kimye 'decoys'

The world has been watching their every move since they tied the knot at the lavish wedding in Florence, Italy last weekend.

So it is not entirely implausible that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West might try to keep their latest moves under the radar.

On Friday, fans had gathered outside Hotel Belvedere in Prague, eager to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds.

That's not Kim! Kanye West looks mischievous as he heads out of Hotel Belvedere in Prague on Friday, behind a woman who bares a striking resemblance to his wife

However, it looked as though they might have employed decoys as a couple first stepped out ahead of them.

A woman - baring a striking resemblance to Kim - was accompanied by a male friend as they left the hotel.

Showing off her curvacous figure in a pair of tight white jeans, it was quite possible that fans had mistaken the mystery woman for Kim.

There she is! Later, Kim was almost missed by fans waiting outside the hotel as she exited the hotel in a car along with her husband Kanye

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Katy Perry becomes first-ever global cover model for Cosmo

She's one of the biggest pop stars in the world with chart topping hits, 53 million Twitter followers, and sold out tours.

And now Katy Perry is continuing her bid for domination by becoming the first-ever global cover model for Cosmopolitan.

The 29-year-old will grace the July edition of the publication in 62 countries, which will be available on newstands on June 3.

Hear her roar: Katy Perry is the first-ever global covermodel for Cosmo

This is the first time Cosmo has integrated their brand on a global scale, proving that Katy may indeed be the most popular female star in the world today.

For the cover the Roar singer dons a sequinned mini dress with flaming candy colours and a zip up front.

Displaying her toned legs, Katy offers the camera a sultry gaze as her green hair is a tousled mess.

Global sensation: The 29-year-old will appear on 61 international editions of the publication

 

In another cover image, the Dark Horse singer wears a strapless (and very plunging) blue dress with a doughnuts graphic pattern.

Letting her mouth open wide, Ms Perry positions her arms in a classic pin up pose as she bends her knee seductively.

Explaining Cosmo's reasoning for choosing the pop star, editor in chief Joanna Coles stated: 'Katy’s music and attitude have universal appeal to young women everywhere.

Sensation: Katy is currently on her Prismatic world tour

'She crosses all cultural boundaries. Her music is soulful and empowering in equal measure. She’s the first Cosmo global icon.'

Speaking with Chelsea Handler in the Cosmo interview talks candidly about whether she would ever get back together with John Mayer, her longest period of sexual abstinence, and her respect for Beyonce.

The I Kissed A Girl singer also had a message for in the closet Cosmo readers: 'If you’re secretly reading this mag and not really allowed to, don’t worry, I did it too.

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Katy Perry confirms #NZ tour dates

Popstar Katy Perry will play two shows to her Kiwi fans in December.
Perry's fans - known as Katycats - will get a chance to see the 29-year-old at Vector Arena on December 19 and 20 this year.
The singer announced in February she'd be visiting New Zealand as part of her Prismatic world tour but only confirmed her tour dates on Thursday.
The show will feature songs from her latest album Prism, including singles Roar and Dark Horse - but Perry told TVNZ's Breakfast she'll play all her big hits.
And Perry said there would be chances for fans to join her on stage.
"It'll just be a feast for your eyes."
She said she loves coming back to New Zealand - and this time, she's planning to try a hangi.
Tickets go on sale on June 6 and pre-sales for Visa cardholders begin on Tuesday next week.

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Liverpool star, Daniel Sturridge can be England's main man in Brazil

The Liverpool star scored with an exquisite strike into the top corner during the Three Lions' 3-0 win over Peru and he has all the attributes to be the go-to man in Brazil

Daniel Sturridge’s touch was lacking. His radar was in need of fine-tuning. He was on the fringes of the game, frustrated and frustrating. Then came the exquisite finish, arrowed into the top corner. A forgettable first half-hour mattered not. Yet again, Sturridge had scored.

In an instant, he had illustrated why he ought to be England’s main striker in Brazil. Not merely in the sense of being the furthest player forward, either, leading the line Emile Heskey-style to allow a more gifted No.10 more space, but in the respect that, if only one out-and-out attacker starts, it should be Sturridge.

His victims were only Peru, and Sturridge’s other international goals only came against San Marino, Montenegro and Denmark. He tends to be given second billing because Wayne Rooney’s CV features 38 goals for England and 216 for Manchester United. The Merseysider has the pedigree. The Liverpool striker has the form, the finishing and the fearlessness that were once Rooney’s hallmarks.

Not since Michael Owen went into premature decline have England been confronted with the problem of accommodating two who have proved themselves genuinely penetrative strikers. The cult of Rooney has grown in a vacuum, along with the notion a nation’s hopes rest on his squat shoulders. Another underwhelming display highlighted the point Paul Scholes made: far from being the focal point of the side, Rooney may not belong in it.



Not any more and not at elite level, anyway. Sturridge’s swift improvement does not create a selection dilemma against sides such as Peru or, indeed, most of the teams England faced in qualifying. They can afford to field two strikers. They reached the World Cup by playing a gung-ho 4-2-4 against Montenegro and Poland.

It was entertaining short-termism. The serious stuff starts in Manaus on June 14. England already have experience of playing two up front against Italy.  It was harrowing. Their most frequent successful passing combination came when Joe Hart punted the ball up to Andy Carroll. They were outnumbered, out-thought and outclassed in midfield. Anyone whose memory stretches back two years to Euro 2012 can testify that Rooney could not subdue Andrea Pirlo.

When England meet Italy’s timeless master, they require a third central midfielder. The division of responsibilities against Peru – for Jordan Henderson to do the legwork and Steven Gerrard to use his right foot – is another tactic that would be riskier against teams with the tactical nous and assuredness in possession the Italians exhibit.

To put it another way, the ever-willing Henderson will need help. Tellingly, Rooney spent much of his time at Wembley dropping off. Yet occupying a deeper role and man-marking a playmaker par excellence are very different. Tracking Pirlo is a task for a midfielder: one, perhaps, that Henderson could do if, say, Jack Wilshere were to take on some of his other duties.
And so, if Hodgson is brave enough to contemplate omitting his most famous player, it leaves a decision: Rooney or Sturridge? It is his Jimmy Greaves-versus-Geoff Hurst call, lacking the guarantee the younger man will justify his selection with a hat-trick, but with the same sense he does not deserve to be sacrificed. Or, if he incorporates both, does he ask Rooney to reprise the role he adopted so selflessly in United’s 2009 Champions League campaign, of selfless running on the flank so a more devastating goalscorer – Cristiano Ronaldo, in that instance – is the striking spearhead.

It is a question if reputation can save Rooney or if Rooney, after two dismal World Cups, will justify his lofty standing. It is a test to see if Hodgson can be flexible enough in his thinking to adopt different systems for different games. Because while Peru played with three centre-backs – a shape England are unlikely to encounter in Brazil – and while this fixture may have been arranged with Uruguay in mind, it was better preparation for facing Costa Rica, a limited team they will have to break down. Peru had several openings, but had no one comparable with Luis Suarez.

Instead, the reminders of the double Footballer of the Year came from his Anfield ally. Sturridge remains the lesser member of Liverpool’s SAS. For England, however, he is staking an ever-greater case to be the top gun.

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