On June 11, 2024, Oprah Winfrey was supposed to make an appearance on the popular TV show “CBS Mornings”, where her close friend Gail King is a cohost. Unfortunately, Winfrey was unable to attend the show due to a serious health issue.

King stepped in to explain Winfrey’s absence and revealed that she had been hospitalized for dehydration. It turns out that Winfrey had been suffering from a stomach flu, causing discomfort and necessitating medical intervention. King tactfully refrained from giving too many graphic details, but made it clear that Winfrey’s condition warranted her hospitalization and the need for an IV to rehydrate her.

While Winfrey’s health situation was undeniably concerning, King reassured everyone that she would be alright. Winfrey’s doctor had advised her to take some time to rest and recover, which explained her absence from the TV appearance.

The purpose of Winfrey’s scheduled appearance on “CBS Mornings” was to announce her latest book club pick. The book, titled “Familiaris” and written by David Wroblewski, was eagerly anticipated by Winfrey’s fans. In an Instagram post, she praised the author, noting that he had previously written her 2008 book club selection, “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle”. Winfrey described “Familiaris” as a captivating family saga that skillfully blended history, philosophy, adventure, and mysticism to explore the profound themes of love, friendship, and finding true purpose in life.

Winfrey clarified that it was not necessary to have read “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” in order to enjoy and understand “Familiaris”. However, she believed that those who hadn’t read the first book would be inspired to do so after experiencing the sequel.

Oprah Winfrey: ‘Making fun of my weight was national sport for 25 years’

Oprah Winfrey speaks up on making fun of her weight

Oprah Winfrey has recently explained how she was ridiculed for her weight.

Speaking on the first episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show on Tuesday, Oprah said, “For 25 years, every single week in one form or another, there was some tabloid exploitation of my weight.”

“Making fun of my weight was national sport for 25 years,” remarked The Color Purple star.

Oprah mentioned, “Comedians did it, the best comedians did it, the highest comedians did it, people with their shows did it ― it was just accepted that you could make fun of me and my weight.”

“One of the most hurtful things was ‘In Living Color’ had done a skit where the woman was doing something and she just kept eating and getting fatter and fatter and fatter,” shared the media mogul.

She continued, “And the comedy bit was that eventually she just exploded, and you know, the whole audience fell out [laughing]. And the woman was me.”

“And that was just accepted! That was just a thing that was accepted,” stated the former talk show host.

Oprah added, “So, I have borne this weight thing and carried it to the point where I just feel like, I’ve just recently turned 70 and I’m not carrying it into the next decade. I’m done with it.”

Gayle King Says Oprah Winfrey Asked ‘Why People Are Acting Like Diarrhea Is Unusual’ After Bout with Stomach Flu

“People are setting up prayer circles,” King joked, referring to the concern over Oprah’s health. “She had a IV drip and she is really, really fine”

Gayle King says her friend Oprah Winfrey is doing just fine after her recent stomach flu — and that Oprah herself didn’t understand why people were making such a big deal out of her illness.

“I’m here to tell you, favorite listeners, Oprah is okay!,” King, 69, said on the most recent episode of SiriusXM’s Gayle King In The House.

A stomach flu kept Winfrey from missing a scheduled appearance on June 11’s episode of CBS Mornings, where she usually announces her latest Oprah’s Book Club pick.

“Something happened, you know, it wasn’t just her. Several people around her got the stomach flu,” said King.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Stomach flu, viral gastroenteritis, is a viral infection in your digestive system. It causes gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. It’s usually brief, but can be very contagious.”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 16: Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage during the 55th Annual NAACP Awards at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on March 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. — Oprah Winfrey takes the stage on March 16, 2024 in Los Angeles.KEVIN WINTER/GETTY

King shared Winfery’s specific symptoms — “I said on air that stuff was coming out of both sides. It was a mess.”

Due to diarrhea and vomiting, the Cleveland Clinic says that with the stomach flu, “The most likely complication is dehydration. This happens when you lose too many fluids and electrolytes from diarrhea or vomiting, and you can’t drink enough or drink fast enough to replace them.”

In Winfrey’s case, King says, “She had to go to the hospital, and she got an IV drip, and I was very clear. She went and got an IV drip. She was fine and she is fine.”

144851_IDA4395 — IDA MAE ASTUTE/ABC VIA GETTY

King poked fun at how her comments spread online. “The headline is ‘Oprah Hospitalized, Best Friend Overshares.’ I didn’t overshare, this is the thing. I would’ve never said anything that I wouldn’t say about myself. So I really didn’t think it was a big deal.

“When I called her, told her, she goes, ‘I don’t know why people are acting like diarrhea is unusual. Sometimes people have it.’ “

“She was not upset about it, but it turned into a — Oprah said everybody she’s ever known her entire life, from Swaziland to Australia, childhood friends, ‘Are you okay?’ I’m praying for you.’”

“People are setting up prayer circles,” King quipped. But, she added, “She’s okay. She had a IV drip and she is really, really fine.”

SiriusXM’s “Gayle King In The House” airs Thursday evenings from 5-6pm EST on Radio Andy channel 102.

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