Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King Share Their Friendship Secrets

When I picture the perfect friendship, I think of what Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King have. For around 47 years, through life and career changes, they have publicly cheered each other on with enthusiasm and love. What’s their secret to maintaining a friendship so strong for so long? I wanted to know, so I called them to chat about their near half-century together.

This week, as part of our 6-Day Energy Challenge, we’ve been exploring the parts of life that fuel us, such as rest, movement, food and a sense of enjoyment. Healthy friendships, like what Winfrey and King have, unsurprisingly, are high on the list. They’re a crucial ingredient for well-being and a key part of feeling upbeat and invigorated.

Winfrey, the media mogul, and King, a longtime broadcast journalist, met in 1976, when they were working at a Baltimore television station. One night, when a snowstorm hit, King was unable to make it home and Winfrey invited King to spend the night. They connected immediately and have been best friends ever since.

“We sort of became the gold standard for friendship,” Winfrey said. “I actually think that is deserved.”

Here are some of the highlights from our conversation:

• They’re totally honest with each other. “She is a blunt truth-teller,” King said of Winfrey. “Even if you don’t want to hear it.”

• They enjoy each other’s company. Theirs is a steady relationship without “a lot of drama or theatrics,” King said, adding that they “enjoy each other very, very much.” (Given the amount of times they cracked each other up during our conversation, I’d agree.)

• They can communicate with a glance. “Sometimes we’re both thinking, ‘I want to stab myself in the eye with a fork right now. Oh, my god. Why am I here?’” Winfrey said of some of the events they’ve attended. “A couple of times Gayle has said, ‘Should I hand you my fork?’”

Check out the interview: Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King’s Iconic Friendship