Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul and beloved talk show host, recently faced a severe health scare that led to an emergency room visit. The 69-year-old was stricken with a mysterious stomach ailment, leading to dehydration and the need for intravenous fluids. Her close friend and renowned TV anchor Gayle King shared details about the incident on "CBS Mornings."
"She had some kind of stomach thing... stomach flu — stuff was coming out of both ends," King revealed. "I won't get too graphic." King emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that Winfrey ended up in the hospital due to dehydration and required an IV.
Winfrey’s absence from her usual segment on "CBS Mornings," where she typically reveals her book club pick, was notably felt. King mentioned that Winfrey was "bothered" by her inability to participate in the show.
In the aftermath of the news, fans speculated on social media about the potential causes of Winfrey's illness. Some pointed fingers at the popular weight loss drug Ozempic, which Winfrey has reportedly been using. "Ozempic is kicking Oprah's a*s lol," one user on Twitter, now known as X, wrote. Another user warned, "People need to be aware how dangerous #Ozempic is. Stop listening to these awful people. There is always a price to pay when popping pills."
A source close to Winfrey told PageSix that she is "recovering following stomach flu and received an IV due to dehydration at the recommendation of her doctor." The spokesperson added that "she is resting and feeling better every day."
To clear up any misunderstandings, King reconnected with Winfrey via FaceTime, clarifying that she had not been hospitalized but had gone to the emergency room for severe dehydration. "I was in the emergency room, I was so dehydrated. I had a dry mouth and I couldn’t keep enough water down to get hydrated," Winfrey explained. She mentioned that she was too weak to make the flight to join King on-screen but assured her followers that she is on the mend, although not yet back to full health.
Winfrey used the opportunity to urge viewers to practice good hygiene, noting that the virus she contracted is highly contagious and can be picked up from surfaces like door knobs. She revealed that five people in her own household had come down with the same bug, underscoring the virus's contagious nature.
Despite the scare, both King and Winfrey reassured fans that Winfrey is doing well. Winfrey laughed, saying, “Everybody I’ve ever known who has access to my email has called me to say, ‘Are you alright?’ Thanks!” King added, “This is Oprah’s ‘I’m alright’ face.”
The incident highlights the vulnerability even high-profile individuals face regarding health issues and the rapid spread of misinformation. Fans and followers expressed their relief that Winfrey is recovering and eagerly await her return to the airwaves.
As Winfrey continues to recover, her health scare serves as a reminder of the importance of taking health warnings seriously and the impact of public figures' health on their audiences. The ongoing discussion around the potential side effects of weight loss drugs like Ozempic also underscores the need for public awareness and caution.