Gayle King

Gayle King is one of America’s most prominent television journalists and broadcasters, best known as the co-host of CBS Mornings and her close, decades-long friendship with Oprah Winfrey. Born on December 28, 1954, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Gayle grew up in an accomplished family and attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a degree in psychology and a double major in sociology. It was during her college years that she met Oprah Winfrey while both were working at a Baltimore television station, forming a friendship that would become one of the most famous in American pop culture.

Gayle began her broadcasting career as a production assistant at WJZ-TV in Baltimore before moving on to anchor and reporting roles at various stations. She spent 18 years as a news anchor at WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut, establishing herself as a skilled journalist and trusted news presence. In 2011, she joined CBS as co-host of CBS This Morning (later rebranded as CBS Mornings), alongside Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell. Her appointment marked a major milestone in her career and brought her to a national audience.

At CBS Mornings, Gayle has conducted some of the most significant interviews of the decade, including her viral 2019 interview with R. Kelly that was praised for its journalistic rigor and composure. She has been recognized with numerous awards for her broadcasting work and has been named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people. Beyond CBS, she served as editor-at-large for O, The Oprah Magazine and has made numerous appearances on talk shows, reality programs, and cultural events.

As of 2026, Gayle King’s net worth is estimated at $40 million, reflecting her decades-long career at the top of broadcast journalism and her lucrative CBS contract. She is one of the highest-paid news anchors in the industry, and her influence extends well beyond the morning show format into broader cultural conversations. Her combination of journalistic credibility and genuine warmth has made her one of the most respected figures in American media.