The family of former Sen. Strom Thurmond has claimed the mixed-race daughter he denied having for at least four decades.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 - The family of the late Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina acknowledged on Monday that Essie Mae Washington-Williams, a retired teacher living in Los Angeles, is the daughter of Mr. Thurmond and a black woman who worked for his family as a maid nearly 80 years ago.
"As J. Strom Thurmond has passed away and cannot speak for himself, the Thurmond family acknowledges Ms. Essie Mae Washington-Williams' claim to her heritage," a family lawyer, J. Mark Taylor, said in a brief written statement. "We hope this acknowledgment will bring closure for Ms. Williams."
Mr. Thurmond, a Democrat turned Republican who was once one of the nation's leading segregationists, died in June at the age of 100 after serving 48 years in the Senate.
For decades, he had acknowledged a friendship with Ms. Washington-Williams, 78, who was raised by an aunt and became a frequent visitor to Mr. Thurmond's Washington office. But despite rampant rumors, both the senator and Ms. Washington-Williams publicly denied their relationship.
Though Mrs. Washington-Williams' attorney, Frank Wheaton, has said she only wants to be admitted into the family, it appears she may seek a share of her father's estate. It is known that Thurmond established trust funds for his white offspring, but it is not clear whether provisions were made for his mixed-race daughter.
South Carolina law allows Williams to sue for paternity up to eight months after Thurmond's death, which would be Feb. 26, or six months after the appointment of the personal representative to his estate, which would be April 27.
Wheaton said Williams would prefer not to sue. She would rather "respectfully approach the family in a very quiet and dignified way."
Thurmond and Williams saw each other several times a year, Williams told The Washington Post. As governor, he visited her during her undergraduate years at S.C. State, visits remembered by her fellow students.
In later years, Williams said she would visit him in Washington, and he would see her in California. While the relationship was an oft-repeated legend in South Carolina and in political circles, Williams always denied the relationship while Thurmond was alive.
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Article comments
1 - Al Barger
Diva, if anything you took it too easy on Thurmond. I will note, however, that being "pro-defense and anti-government social programs" does not in any way imply racism, which seems to be the point of that statement. Defending the country means defending black folks as much as white.
Joe Wilson is a grade-A jackass for considering the simple revelation of the paternity of Thurmond's daughter an "attack." I would seriously love to slap the taste out of his mouth for that.
2 - Mac Diva
Wilson has to switch it around so that Ol' Strom emerges blameless, Barger. So, the woman's paternity somehow becomes her fault. And, she is being an uppity you-know-what for speaking out about it -- when she is nearly 80. Weird, but that is how those guys think.
It was serendipity that Earl has written a piece about his granddaughters' other grand -- Strom Thurmond. That really brings the truth home. As long as their are descendants of the old goat, some of them will be wearing what he and his followers consider the 'wrong' color.
Thurmond's manipulativeness was amazing. He gave Ms. Essie just enough attention to keep her from waking up and smelling something nasty while he was alive. Any less, and she might have spoken out. Any more, and the 'mystery' might have been confirmed by those watching him. He was very smart in his own twisted way.
3 - eddie corbett jr
talk about hypocrisy, anybody remember sen.bryd, sen. friz hollings,sen. al gore sr. etc. etc. no one ever mentions that bill clintons political mentor ( i forget the senators name) was a devout racist. this type of claimed hypocrisy is killing the lefts credibility.
4 - Mac Diva
Seems to me that the hypocrisy of the Southern oligarchy has a lot more impact on the GOP since the Southern Strategy has made the white South Republican.
And, yes, I am aware of Sen. Byrd's brief membership in the Klan, which he has spent decades regretting and apologizing for. That is a heck of a lot different than going to one's grave without ever apologizing for being a racist or acknowledging one's child, as Strom Thurmond did.