Gayle King has opened up about the long-running speculation surrounding her relationship with Oprah Winfrey, saying the rumors once bothered her but no longer do. In a recent conversation on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, King said she used to want Winfrey to publicly address the gossip that suggested the two women were romantically involved. King recalled telling Oprah that she should say something on her show because the rumors were making it harder for her to date and were unfairly defining her public image. But Winfrey, according to King, preferred to ignore the speculation and let it fade on its own.
King said she initially found that frustrating, especially because Oprah was in a long-term relationship with Stedman Graham and had no need to respond to the chatter in the same way. Over time, however, King said she stopped giving the rumors much power. She explained that she has reached a point in her life where very few things bother her and that social media often amplifies negativity and hatred. Because of that, she now focuses on her own actions and on the opinions of people she respects and trusts rather than public gossip.
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King also firmly rejected the idea that the rumors are true. She said she would have no problem saying if she were a lesbian, making clear that there is no secret relationship between her and Winfrey. The speculation, she said, has followed them for years, but it no longer affects her in the way it once did.
The interview also highlighted the extraordinary length and strength of King and Winfrey’s friendship. Their bond began more than 50 years ago, when both women worked at the Baltimore-area television station WJZ-TV. Since then, both have built highly successful careers: Winfrey became a global media icon and billionaire, while King became a respected journalist and broadcaster. Despite the difference in their financial status and fame, King said she has never viewed herself as living in Oprah’s shadow. Instead, she described herself as living in Oprah’s light, adding that she has never wished to be Winfrey and has always valued her own place in the friendship.
King emphasized that the trust between them is complete and sacred. She said being part of someone’s inner circle is a privilege, and after so many years, their loyalty remains unbreakable. According to King, both women can trust each other with anything, and that mutual confidence has helped their friendship endure for decades.
