It’s the fascinating tale of theworld’s most influential self-made mogul, and her ride or die.
And no, we’re not talking about Stedman.
“She is the mother I never had.
She is the sister everybody would want.
She is the friend that everybody deserves.
I never feel I’m in her shadow.
I feel I’m in her light, that’s how I look at it.”
Spoiler: they’re more than just regular BFFs, but not inthatway.
AMaryland native, Gayle was born to an upper-middle class family.
“Gayle had a pool growing up,“Oprah dished in anO Magazineinterviewwith Gayle.
Born in Mississippi to an18-year-old unwed mother, Oprah, faced much greater odds.
“My grandmother never imagined that I could be anything bigger than a maid.
She used to say ‘I just hope you get some good white folks when you grow up’.
Gayle added, “I grew up in an all-white community.
A premature baby boy was born and later died.
“My father said to me, ‘This is your second chance’,“Oprah shared withMakers.
1971: They were crushing hard in high school
My boyfriend at the time was a photographer.
I think I was trying to be a model…c’mon forgive me.
And both were crushing on boys.
Never thought I’d make it this far.
I don’t think God will mind.
Gesturing at her bestie, Gayle quipped, “She’s always been very dramatic.”
Oprah was a 22-year-old co-anchor atWJZ News,making $22,000 a year.
“She connected with the female audience instantly,“NY TimesTV critic Bill Carter remembered.
“Oprah was genuine.”
But… clearly it was uncharted territory.
I’d never met anybody like that.
Certainly not another black girl.”
@ilazer &@abbijacobson HILAAARIOUS!!
Although they had spent hours together in the newsroom every day, they weren’t yet friends.
“Anchors and PA’s do not socialize the newsroom hierarchy,“Gayle explained.
We liked the same kind of music.
“But you were maid of honor!”
Gayle laughed, of the wedding that took place when she was 27 years old.
Even if she was struggling against her own feelings.
She continued, admitting to Gayle, “Also…
I felt like, well, maybe it’s just me being jealous.
Maybe I couldn’t feel the joy because I was feeling like our friendship was going to change.
But it didn’t.”
But the long-distance pals remained closer than ever, supporting each other despite what anyone else thought.
“I hate when everybody has to have a discussion about it,“Oprah shared withVogueabout her body.
“That’s why I first brought it up on TV…
I said, ‘I know y’all are thinking, Look at her fat butt.
It’s a little issue I’ve had for a while.’
And who else was hanging around during the impromptu moment?
You guessed it Gayle.
“They basically are sisters.”
1986: The Oprah Show premieres nationwide
Where were you on September 8, 1986?
We know where @Oprah was: Hosting The Oprah Winfrey Show for the first time.
30 years later, that inaugural episode is still one of our favorite things!
Why have I been so blessed?”
“From the time that I’ve known her, the core of this girl has not changed.
By the show’s final episode in 2011,she would have 23 guest appearances.
1987: Gayle starts her family
Vacation adventure continues new location !
One two three “errrebody"in the air.
Sadly this was my best JUMP Need to work on that …. Or do I???
In 1987 daughter Kirby arrived.
And I’m thinking, ‘Oh good.
She’s giving me a double stroller.’
Back then double strollers were very expensive.
But the gift turned out to be a nanny!
Now that they’re all grown up,Gayle and her kids frequently vacation with Oprah.
But when I think about the way she raised her kids, that makes me weepy…
It’s always, always, always been about what’s best for her children.”
She added, “Her children are my children.”
In 1980,Oprah was shot down for an equal pay raise while co-hostingPeople Are Talking.
“I’m not the wimp that I used to be.”
And we bet it’s possible for you to guess how this one turned out.
She boughttwosweaters!'”
Gayle had purchased just one sweater for herself.
And put it on layaway.
Which is so interesting because [Gayle] can’t sing.”
But it’s not the only thing Gayle has offered the relationship.
They had never spent 11 days in close proximity to each other, for 24 hours a day.
“At times we were laughing so hard we could barely breathe,“Oprah shared with her audience.
“It’s one of the things that’s so amazing about this friendship.
Gayle is more excited about my success than I am.
It makes her genuinely happy.
We’ve made this journey together,“Oprah shared inO Magazine.
2014: Oprah threw Gayle the surprise party of her life
Surprise birthday party for @GayleKing ..
Her favorite son and daughter.
Her favorite grilled cheese.
An early 60th birthday bash for her BFF, made possible by theO Magazinestaff.
No hike no treadmill anytime soon thanx dr Dave Nelson !
“But let me just say this, too.
The person who has the money has to have a generous spirit.”
And she sure does.
For Gayle’s big 6-0,Oprah flew Gayle’s entire family to Hawaiifor the celebration.
And it wasn’t the first instance where Gayle stood up to the queen of talk shows.
A year earlier,Oprah bashed Gayle’s TV makeup artistfor going too red with Gayle’s lips.
“I said proudly, ‘I did that MYSELF’.”
2017 Oprah + Gayle 4 EVA
Taking their friendship to new heights.
@oprah & @gayleking at the Grand Canyon!
What are your plans for the weekend?
A deeply and mutually adoring partnership.
A kind ofluxuriously endless sleepover.
And even in their early sixties, the two mega successful media stars are just getting started.
How else can you explain a level of intimacy where someonealwaysloves you,alwaysrespects you, admires you?”
I really can’t.
I’ll go first if I can be 90 and [Oprah] can be 91.”
Whatever this friendship is, it’s been a very fun rideand we’ve taken it together.”
