Oprah Winfrey | Source: Getty Images
Oprah Winfrey Wept Watching Gayle King Blast Off Into Space — Reveals What Motivated Her to Join the Voyage
The television mogul couldn't be "more proud" of her best friend of nearly five decades for flying off in a space rocket. For the broadcast journalist, it was more than just a trip.
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Gayle King was among the all-female crew that traveled for more than 60 miles above Earth for Blue Origin's NS-31 mission on April 14, 2025. The journey lasted for 11 minutes.
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Singer Katy Perry, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn joined King on the excursion.
The "CBS Mornings" anchor's beloved friend Oprah Winfrey was among those who witnessed the capsule taking off from the ground up in Van Horn, Texas.
A few minutes after watching the rocket shoot up into the sky, Winfrey had her hand placed on her chest with her mouth agape in admiration. She could be seen uttering a few words as she watched on.
Oprah Winfrey and others watching the Blue Origin capsule take off to space on April 14, 2025, in Van Horn, Texas. | Source: YouTube/ABCNews
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As the live stream continued to play, the world-famous billionaire said, "Oh!" as she covered her face with both hands before shaking her head slightly.
Oprah Winfrey gets emotional after the Blue Origin capsule take off on April 14, 2025, in Van Horn, Texas. | Source: YouTube/ABCNews
The 71-year-old television producer then took off her glasses and covered her eyes and her mouth as she looked up again, overwhelmed with emotions.
Oprah Winfrey weeps after the Blue Origin capsule take off on April 14, 2025, in Van Horn, Texas. | Source: YouTube/ABCNews
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The former talk show host, who wore yellow as a tribute to King, expressed how she felt seeing her best friend of almost 50 years go on a spaceflight:
"I've never been more proud of my friend, than today. This is bigger than just going into space."
Oprah Winfrey looks up after the Blue Origin capsule take off on April 14, 2025, in Van Horn, Texas. | Source: YouTube/ABCNews
Winfrey explained that for King, whenever they're on an airplane, she ends up in someone else's lap at the slightest bit of turbulence. According to the celebrity, her best friend has anxiety when flying. This experience means overcoming "a wall of fear, a barrier," she said, adding:
"I think it's going to be cathartic in so many ways for her."
Upon landing back to Earth, King kissed the ground after exiting the capsule and marveled at the experience, "I can't even believe what I saw. [...] That was amazing." She said it was not a "ride" but a bona fide [expletive] flight," adding she is proud of overcoming her fear of flying.
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