Oprah Winfrey was quick to address rumors that she and her longtime friend Gayle King had been secretly in a decade-long relationship. The host vehemently denied all the baseless information.

When appearing in the interview series Moments That Change Us by billionaire Bill Gates’ ex-wife – Melinda French Gates, 70-year-old media mogul – Oprah Winfrey shared about her close relationship with Gayle King – editor and journalist of CBS News channel .

Oprah frankly admitted that Gayle is her best friend in life.

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“I think we shared quite a lot and I have to say, it went beyond the level of normal friendship but not love. For many years, people often said we were gay . We always denied it but people still thought so,” said the queen of American television.

Gayle King joked that she once asked Oprah to do a show to clarify that they were just friends because: “When I wanted to go on a date with another man on Saturday night, they didn’t believe me. If Oprah and I were lesbians, we would have told the audience.”

The famous couple first met early in their careers while working for Baltimore’s WJZ station.

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As for why many people speculate that their relationship is more than just friends, Winfrey said it’s because people aren’t used to seeing women in such a sincere relationship.

“The reason I think our friendship has lasted so long is because Gayle has always cheered me on and been more happy for me than I have been for myself, for any success, victory, or challenge that I’ve overcome,” the 20-time Emmy winner shared. “And when she achieves something, I’m happy for her too.”

Although not married, Oprah Winfrey dated and lived with Stedman Graham for more than 35 years.

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“I think every woman should find a true friend and not be afraid to be honest with each other. In Oprah’s life , people always flatter and agree with what she does. However, I am the one who points out her mistakes and shortcomings, such as: ‘This is not right,’ ‘Your hair doesn’t look good,’ Gayle King said about the secret to “keeping the fire” of friendship.

Gayle King has previously said that “it’s annoying and silly when people question the true nature of our relationship.” But now, the two take it more lightly. Gayle King humorously confessed: “If Oprah were a man, I would marry her.”