No, Viola Davis Did Not Buy the Plantation That She Was Born On

Last updated: August 13, 2020 9:20 AM

1 Min Read

Viola Davis "Widows" New York Special Screening

Actress Viola Davis is clearing up numerous media reports suggesting she has purchased the former plantation property on which she was born, insisting her social media post was misconstrued.

Davis appeared to indicate she had bought her first childhood home in St. Matthews, South Carolina on Tuesday, August 11, as she marked her 55th birthday by sharing a photo of a small, dilapidated building.

“The above is the house where I was born August 11, 1965. It is the birthplace of my story,” she wrote beside the image.

“Today on my 55th year of life….I own it….all of it.”

She concluded her note with a Cherokee birth blessing, adding, “May you live long enough to know why you were born.”

View this post on Instagram

The above is the house where I was born August 11, 1965. It is the birthplace of my story. Today on my 55th year of life….I own it….all of it. ・・・ "May you live long enough to know why you were born.” -Cherokee Birth Blessing-

A post shared by VIOLA DAVIS (@violadavis) on Aug 11, 2020 at 8:15am PDT

Twitter and a slew of media websites reported that she had purchased the plantation.

Not so fast, said Viola. Clarifying her words, she explained, ”Uhh….contrary to websites…I do not ‘own’ above house,I ‘own’ my STORY!! Too abstract I guess (sic)”.