Oprah Winfrey is celebrating Gayle King on her milestone birthday! On Friday, Dec. 13, the talk show host threw a surprise 70th birthday party for her best friend and CBS Mornings anchor in New York City. The festivities were intimate yet lively, filled with friends and family who gathered to honor the media personality as she approaches her milestone birthday.
Winfrey’s playful spirit was on full display as she captured parts of the celebration on social media. The video shows Winfrey walking arm-in-arm with King, who was completely taken aback when they arrived at the venue filled with well-wishers. "There’s nobody in the world like Gayle King. Next year marks a half century of our friendship. And in all those years, there’s never been any argument, disruption, or even jealousy,” Winfrey noted, her voice filled with affection. “It’s always been support and being in sync with one another.”
King is set to turn 70 on December 28, making the party not just an occasion but also an opportunity for Winfrey to reflect on their rich shared history. She added, “Looking forward to the best things happening for each other has been our motto. It’s pure joy to celebrate you, Gayle!” Winfrey’s speech highlighted not only their enduring friendship but also King’s remarkable career as one of the most recognized anchors at CBS.
The emotional tribute was accompanied by cheers from the crowd, which included A-list guests and longtime friends, making for an unforgettable evening. Winfrey shared, “My bestie of 50 years is turning 70 so we gathered everyone who loves her to celebrate. Hard thing to surprise her, we have so many stories and lies we made up to keep this secret.” Her words painted the picture of two women who have built their lives side by side, lifting each other up through thick and thin.
Among the guests spotted at the celebration were Hoda Kotb and Al Roker, adding to the star-studded atmosphere of the night. The room filled with laughter and love, and as they broke out singing “Happy Birthday,” King seemed stunned, momentarily dropping her purse and covering her heart, overwhelmed with emotion. It’s moments like this where the importance of deep-rooted friendships is clear.
Their remarkable friendship began over four decades ago when they first met working together at WJZ-TV, Baltimore’s local news station. Their enduring bond has withstood the test of time, exemplifying mutual respect and admiration. Reflecting on their early days, Winfrey recalled how one snowy night she had offered King shelter during a storm, marking the beginning of what has become one of the media world’s most cherished friendships.
“Happy birthday @gayleking, sorry we almost gave you a heart attack!” Winfrey humorously posted on social media, showing their playful rapport. The world knows them as two powerhouse women, but to each other, they remain best friends who share the same history and goals.
For Winfrey, the celebration was not just about marking another year for King, but about honoring the life they’ve both crafted through their shared experiences. The bond they share is rare, and Winfrey’s commitment to being there for King, as she has been for her over the years, showed how genuine their friendship is.
Celebrations like this remind us of the beautiful power of friendship. Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King exemplify just how enriching relationships can be, the laughter and love conveying the magic of shared lives. Here’s to hoping we get to see many more birthday celebrations for Gayle and perhaps more surprises from Oprah!
