Gayle King offers an update on Oprah Winfrey’s health after her recent visit to the emergency room.
Read on to find out what led Oprah to seek medical help…
After initially revealing on CBS Mornings on June 11 that Oprah, 70, had been hospitalized for a stomach virus and dehydration, King, 69, decided to FaceTime Oprah later that day to clear up any confusion.
Winfrey’s absence from a scheduled appearance on the morning show to discuss her latest book club selection, Familiaris by David Wroblewski, prompted King to share the news about Oprah’s health.
In a video posted on Instagram, King clarified that Oprah was not hospitalized.
“I never said you were hospitalized, I said you had stomach issues and things were coming out of both ends, which it was,” King explained in the clip.
Winfrey responded, “I was in the emergency room because I was so dehydrated. My mouth was dry and I couldn’t keep enough water down so I went to the ER for that. And it is.”
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Winfrey also shared that she’s “not 100 percent yet, but I’m getting there” and mentioned that the same virus has affected five members of her family.
King explained Winfrey’s absence, explaining that it was something so serious that it prevented her from getting on the plane to appear. It was actually the “first time” she missed a book club selection.
Winfrey stated, “I was too weak to fly.”
The Color Purple star also urged people to take precautions against the virus by washing their hands, explaining that her doctor said it can spread through surfaces such as handrails and door handles.
In response, Winfrey commented, “I thought what you’re trying to do is explain why I wasn’t there in a clear way.” King also asked if Winfrey was upset about the details being shared.
Laughing, Winfrey said, “Everyone with access to my email was calling to check on me. Thanks for asking!”
King added, “This is Oprah’s ‘I’m OK’ face.”
In an Instagram post, King clarified, “This is a first for CBS Mornings, announcing Oprah’s latest book club selection, Familiaris, without Oprah. She was shut down by a stomach virus that led to dehydration, requiring an IV in the hospital.’
“I thought I made it clear, but then I was surprised to see the headlines saying, ‘Oprah is in the hospital!’ (She wasn’t!) and they kept calling to see if she was OK. The answer is yes! Now let’s go straight to the source,” King added.
King’s remarks follow her initial comments about Winfrey on June 11, where she described the illness as a “stomach thing” and joked that “things were coming out of both ends.” King went on to explain that Oprah needed an IV due to dehydration, calling it a “serious situation” that required her to take some time off.
“He’s going to be fine,” King assured viewers, “I hope he’s not mad at me for sharing these details. But I just wanted to make it clear that it really mattered that she wasn’t here today.’
A rep for Oprah confirmed to PEOPLE that Winfrey is recovering from a stomach virus and was treated with an IV for dehydration at the recommendation of her doctor. “He is resting and getting better every day,” the representative added.
In conclusion, Oprah Winfrey’s health scare that led to her hospitalization for dehydration from a stomach virus was thankfully not as serious as first reported. Gayle King clarified the situation, assuring fans that Oprah is on the mend and on the mend, even though she wasn’t too well to make her scheduled appearance. Oprah herself addressed the concerns, stressing the importance of hydration and good hygiene, and encouraging everyone to be careful. Although her absence from the book club was the first, it’s clear that Oprah’s health is improving and she’s looking forward to being back to 100 percent soon. Fans can rest easy knowing he is resting and recovering well.