Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, 70, was hospitalized with a stomach virus this week, causing her to miss a scheduled appearance on CBS Mornings on Tuesday to announce her latest book club selection.
Gayle King explained her absence during the broadcast. “She had some kind of stomach thing — stomach flu — stuff was coming out of both ends,” she said. “I won’t get too graphic. Needless to say, she ended up in the hospital, dehydration, had to get an IV.”
“It was a very serious thing,” she added, noting that Winfrey tried to “rally” but needed to rest. “She will be okay. I hope she’s not mad at me for sharing that detail,” King said of her longtime friend. “But I wanted to make it clear, though, that it mattered to her and that it really bothered her that she couldn’t be here for you today.”
A representative for Winfrey revealed that the media mogul is recuperating and on the mend, according to Tribune.
“Ms. Winfrey is recovering following a stomach virus and received an IV due to dehydration at the recommendation of her doctor,” the spokesperson added. “She is resting and feeling better every day.”
The spokesperson did not disclose the duration of Winfrey’s hospital stay or the cause of her illness.
After treatment, Winfrey has returned home. The Times confirmed, via an unnamed source close to Winfrey, that the illness is unrelated to the weight loss medications she recently mentioned using.
King who sat in for Winfrey announced David Wroblewski’s prequel novel “Familiaris” as Winfrey’s latest book club selection, mimicking Winfrey’s dramatic announcement style.
King read a statement from Winfrey praising the book as an “extraordinary journey” that blends history, philosophy, adventure, and mysticism to explore love, friendship, and life’s true purpose.
