10 Friendship Lessons from BFFs Oprah and Gayle

Dami D is a freelance writer and reading addict who likes to create stories out of even the most mundane things. Read ALL the things I talk about at whatdamidid.com

I cannot forget watching the Oprah Show when I was younger and Gayle would always be a permanent fixture on the show. Every one or so paragraphs was followed with a  “my best friend Gayle”. Sometimes it felt like her full name was MybestFriend Gayle. haha. Now so many years later, Oprah and Gayle cover O Magazine’s friendship issue as a celebration of their 43 years of friendship, and what an amazing friendship it has been: from matching bentleys, to hilarious wardrobe critique and even unfounded relationship rumors, here are some lessons we can learn from Oprah and “My best Friend” Gayle.

10 Friendship Lessons from BFFs Oprah and Gayle

• Sometimes your presence is the best gift:

On Oprah’s 40th birthday, she was surprised on the Oprah Winfrey show by icons like Aretha Franklin and Patti Labelle, however, she wasn’t as overwhelmed as when Gayle walked into the studio- she immediately burst into tears! While other guests had shared profound words, Gayle only had a simple message, “I have no song to sing, I have no words of wisdom, I just wanted to be here with you today”. Another time, Oprah was expressing her pain after a betrayal on the phone and  Gayle hung up, asked the sitter to stay the night, and hopped on a flight to see Oprah. When Oprah opened the door, she said “I just wanted to see you”, had a glass of water and went back to the airport. Oprah has shown up too! When Gayle was spending her first holiday without the kids after her divorce, Oprah showed up on her doorstep with Stedman and spaghetti ingredients, and spent the holiday with her.

• But sometimes thoughtful presents are nice too:

After the birth of her second child, Oprah said to Gayle, I have a surprise for you. It wasn’t a pushchair like Gayle expected, it was a nanny paid for as long as needed (which ended up being 7 or 8 years, lord Jesus! When?).

• Friends are always honest:

Oprah and Gayle are never afraid to say things as they are, from ashy skin to wardrobe fails.