Gayle King did not set out to become one of the most recognizable faces in American television news. Though she studied psychology in college, King says she fell “in love, love, love” with television journalism while working as a production assistant at a local CBS station. That spark turned into a career that now spans five decades, marked by adaptability, persistence, and an unwavering belief in curiosity as a professional compass.
After producing, reporting, and hosting local programs, King made her first national foray with The Gayle King Show. The program was short-lived, but it did not derail her trajectory. She soon found a home at the media company led by her longtime friend Oprah Winfrey and, in 2012, became a co-anchor of CBS Mornings. Since then, King has weathered cohost changes and a recent management shake-up, remaining a steady presence on the network’s flagship morning show.
In a wide-ranging interview with Harvard Business Review, King credited curiosity, not psychology, as the trait that has most shaped her journalism. “People do love to talk about themselves,” she said, noting that her genuine interest helps put interviewees at ease. Preparation, she added, is her “superpower,” allowing her to build trust while still holding people accountable without resorting to “gotcha” tactics.
King’s career has not been without setbacks. The cancellation of her national show stung, but she viewed it as a disappointment rather than a devastation. “That’s a bummer, but on to the next thing,” she recalled, a mindset that has sustained her through an evolving and often unforgiving industry.
Now 70, King shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to CBS Mornings, she serves as editor-at-large at Oprah Daily and maintains a demanding schedule that begins before dawn. Despite criticism over high-profile moments, including an all-female Blue Origin space flight and attacks from former President Donald Trump, King says she evaluates when to respond and when to keep moving.
At a time when trust in media is fragile, King believes journalism’s role is more vital than ever. “You’re entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts,” she said. Her advice to young journalists is blunt and characteristically grounded: take smart risks, do the job well, and let the work speak for itself.
