Drama unfolded at the Denver Zoo following the birth of a baby orangutan named Siska. Zoo staff were unsure whether 16-year-old Jaya or 30-year-old Berani was the father. To settle the mystery, they enlisted none other than Maury Povich to deliver the results.
Povich, famous for his 31 years as host of the “Maury” show, is renowned for his dramatic paternity test reveals, where he would often declare, “You are the father!” or “You are not the father!” to the surprise of his guests.
In a video released by the zoo on December 19, Maury himself revealed the truth about Siska’s parentage.
“Thank you to the Denver Zoo for everything you do, but this is very important,” Povich began, clad in a tuxedo. “When it comes to the orangutan—4-month-old Siska—Berani, you are the father,” he announced, as photos of the two possible fathers were shown on screen.
Povich is best known for his association with paternity tests, though his career began as a serious journalist. He started in the 1960s as a news anchor and later hosted “A Current Affair” from 1986 to 1990.
At the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards, his wife, journalist Connie Chung, took the opportunity to clarify Povich’s diverse career. “I know you think he’s been determining the paternity of every child in America,” Chung joked, according to ABC News. “But no, in his 67 years in television, he’s been a news reporter, anchor, talk show host, and interviewed world leaders, politicians, authors, and even Julia Child.”