Gayle King walked into what she thought was a holiday party but found herself at the center of an unforgettable surprise organized by her best friend, Oprah Winfrey.
Held at New York City’s elegant Ci Siamo restaurant.
the event marked an early celebration for King’s upcoming 70th birthday later this month.
The surprise unfolded as King entered the venue, her expression of shock captured in a video shared on her Instagram page.
Throwing her clutch onto the bar, she gasped in disbelief as family and friends shouted
“surprise!” and gathered to celebrate her milestone.
The guest list was nothing short of dazzling.
With stars like Katy Perry, Angela Bassett, Stephen Colbert, Brooke Shields, Andy Cohen, Jeff Bezos, and more joining the festivities.
Amid the laughter and cheer, Winfrey delivered a heartfelt speech that reflected on their deep, enduring bond.
“Next year marks a half-century of our friendship,” Winfrey said, her words filled with emotion.
“For 50 years, we’ve been in sync, always in each other’s corner, celebrating each other’s victories, and supporting one another through it all.”
Winfrey didn’t hold back in praising her best friend, describing Gayle as
“the one person in my life who has always been more overjoyed for my success than even I could be.”
She added, “The world is a better place because of the joy Gayle brings to everyone.”
The celebration featured a four-tiered birthday cake adorned with sparklers, and DJ Suss One kept the energy high as the night’s emcee.
Gayle, overwhelmed with gratitude, took to the stage to thank her guests.
“I can’t believe you pulled this off,” Gayle said, her voice filled with emotion.
“I am blown away by the love and the effort everyone made to be here. I feel so incredibly grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you—I really do feel the love tonight.”
For King, the evening was not just a celebration of her milestone birthday
but a testament to the friendships and connections she’s built over a lifetime.
Surrounded by loved ones and luminaries, she stood at the heart of a night filled with warmth and laughter.
