When it comes to the art of gift-giving, no one does it quite like Oprah Winfrey. The legendary media mogul, now 63, has showered her loved ones with extravagant and thoughtful presents over the years. But none of these gifts hold a candle to the one she gave her best friend, Gayle King. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Gayle, also 62, revealed that the most memorable gift Oprah ever gave her was nothing short of life-changing—a live-in nanny. Take a moment to watch her heartfelt story in the video below!
The Evolution of a Lifelong Friendship
Gayle King, who shares two adult children, Kirby and William Jr., with her ex-husband William Bumpus, has always been open about the incredible bond she shares with Oprah. In a 2015 interview with the Huffington Post, Gayle took a trip down memory lane, recounting the early days of their friendship. It all began in 1976 when both women were working at a Baltimore TV station. A powerful snowstorm left Gayle stranded and without a place to stay. Oprah, then a 6 p.m. anchor at just 22 years old, extended a helping hand, inviting the 21-year-old production assistant to stay at her home.
A Bond Forged in Adversity
What started as a simple act of kindness quickly blossomed into a lifelong friendship. When Gayle mentioned she didn’t have any clothes or even underwear with her, Oprah didn’t bat an eye. “You can wear mine,” she offered generously. And when it came to the lack of essentials like underwear, Oprah reassured her, “You can borrow mine—it’s clean!” That night, despite her modest salary of $22,000 a year, Oprah even splurged $19.99 on two-for-one sweaters for them to share. “We became friends that first night because for the first time, I met somebody who I felt was like me,” Gayle fondly recalled.
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Oprah and Gayle in 2001. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
The Power of Friendship
Since that snowy night in Baltimore, Oprah and Gayle's friendship has only grown stronger. In a candid interview in 2006, Oprah shared her thoughts on why their bond is so unique. “In a way, our friendship is better than a marriage or a sexual relationship,” she confessed. “You know, there’s no such thing as unconditional love in a marriage as far as I’m concerned, because let me tell you, there are some conditions.” Despite being in a decades-long relationship with Stedman Graham, Oprah’s connection with Gayle remains unmatched—a testament to the strength and depth of their friendship.
