Thurmond Family Acknowledges Woman's Heritage Claim

LOS ANGELES -- An attorney for a 78-year-old woman said Sunday the retired schoolteacher is coming forward after years of silence to claim she is the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of the late Sen. Strom Thurmond.

Essie Mae Washington-Williams lives in Los Angeles. She has long been rumored to be the daughter of the one-time segregationist, who died June 26 at the age of 100. Her attorney Frank K. Wheaton said she is coming forward now at the urging and encouragement of her children.

Wheaton told The Associated Press that Williams has decided to come forward to bring some closure to what has been thought to be an old family secret. Williams' mother was a Thurmond family maid while a teenager.

Wheaton said Williams is not trying to upset the Thurmond estate. Williams told The Washington Post that Thurmond privately acknowledged her as his daughter and had provided financial support since 1941. The Post first reported her claims on its Web site today.

Williams has scheduled a news conference in Columbia on Wednesday. She previously denied rumors that Thurmond, the nation's oldest and longest-serving senator, was her father.

Biographers said the claim should not come as a surprise to South Carolinians. Jack Bass, who co-wrote the unauthorized biography "Ol' Strom", said what's new is that 78-year-old Essie Mae Washington-Williams is admitting her relation to Thurmond. For years, Williams denied being Thurmond's daughter despite rumors and reports including Bass' book.

The Thurmond family released the following statement Monday afternoon:

"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. We hope this acknowledgment will bring closure for Ms. Williams."