Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King address persistent rumors about their relationship: “We have always been open and transparent with each other”

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are discussing their long-standing friendship, including addressing the persistent rumor about their relationship.

The close friends made a special appearance on Melinda French Gates’ Moments That Make Us interview series on July 24th. Throughout their appearance on the show, Winfrey and King discussed the immense strength of their friendship.

Oprah Winfrey, 70, and Gayle King, 69, became friends around 50 years ago while working together at the Baltimore-area news station WJZ-TV. During a significant snowstorm, Oprah graciously offered Gayle a place to stay for the night, and the two of them quickly formed a strong connection.

“We’ve shared almost everything, and I have to say, it wasn’t just about navigation,” Winfrey commented on their bond, as reported by PEOPLE. Throughout the years, there were constant assumptions made about our sexual orientation, and it was a challenge we faced for a long time. And it may still be a thought in people’s minds,” Winfrey pointed out.

Gayle confidently asserted that if their relationship had progressed beyond what was known, the world would have already been aware of it.

“I used to suggest to Oprah that she should do a show on this, because it’s already difficult for me to find a date on Saturday night when people assume we’re gay,” King made a lighthearted remark. “We would openly share our sexual orientation with you if we were gay!”

Winfrey mentioned to Gates that she believes the lesbian rumors are widespread because society is not accustomed to witnessing such a strong bond between women.

“I just assumed everyone had a really good friend,” King remarked about their close relationship. “I just assumed that every woman, maybe not every man, but I just assumed that every woman had at least one.”

“Our friendship has thrived because Gayle genuinely celebrates my successes, victories, and challenges even more than I do,” Oprah expressed with enthusiasm. And I feel just as joyful as she does — I couldn’t be any happier, I can’t surpass Gayle’s happiness. She is unbeatable when it comes to being happy. I am just as happy for her.