Moments That Make Us: How Friendship Helped Oprah Winfrey & Gayle King Navigate Life’s Big Changes

To celebrate turning 60, Melinda French Gates sat down with iconic changemakers of all ages to talk about their biggest life transitions for a special series, “Moments That Make Us.” In this episode, she chats with the legendary Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King about the joys of getting older, the power of female friendship, and the lessons that moments of change can offer.

Check out all of the conversations in this series:

In this episode:
• 0:35 – Gayle and Oprah’s thoughts and experiences with aging
• 6:27 – The importance of deep female friendship and the roles Gayle and Oprah have played in each other’s lives as best friends
• 11:43 – How Gayle and Oprah have helped each other through life and career transitions
• 14:16 – The “truth bond” and how jealous whispers ruin friendships
• 16:45 – Nudging close friends to grow
• 18:18 – Melinda’s search for grace before her 2022 CBS interview
• 20:00 – Lessons Gayle and Oprah have learned throughout their lives

Produced by Feee Films
Directed by Felicia Manning
Photography c/o Pivotal Ventures

Follow Melinda French Gates on:
Twitter/X: @melindagates
Facebook: @melindagates
LinkedIn: @melindagates
Instagram: @melindafrenchgates
YouTube: @melindafrenchgates

Follow Oprah Winfrey on:
Twitter/X: @Oprah
Facebook: @OprahWinfrey
Instagram: @Oprah
LinkedIn: @OWinfrey
TikTok: @Oprah
YouTube: @OprahDaily

Follow Gayle King on:
Twitter/X: @GayleKing
Facebook: @GayleKing
Instagram: @GayleKing

[millicenthamilton-kakowski]

I'm 76 & everyone says, "Girl, you certainty don't look it". Of course, I respond w/gratitude. One thing I can say for sure, everyone desires to live; so if you live, you will get old. That's what happens when you live--get old! Hallelujah.

[mxqrsrf]

I'm 82 and have appreciated every decade in my life. I'm absolutely positively certain that I wouldn't be where I am without my girlfriends. Life is good!!!

[qppxphw]

'Aging is another word for living'. Yes, Gayle!

[juliagouw]

Happy birthday, Melinda🎂🎂🎂Thank you 3 for empowering women and girls around the world.

[johannawilliams]

This is so beautiful! Deep platonic friendships between women should be celebrated more often. And happy 60th birthday, Melinda!❤

[riagovender]

This conversation felt like I was hanging out with my girlfriends over a glass of wine! Absolutely enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing Melinda, and Happy 60th! All you ladies are amazing and such an inspiration! Loved the Maia quote about "coming home to yourself to flowers lining the front porch" Working on those flowers one day at a time ...

[santamaria]

This is my first time seeing Melinda speaking in length, such a delight . I always knew she has a great heart from what she and Bill have been doing for the world, but I felt close seeing her have this conversation with my two lovely ladies . Such a magnificent moment to listen to all three of you about friendship and embracing aging. After all, we all want to live long and have someone close to us. Blessings !!

[valeriag]

If you are truly a friend it is impossible to betray someone…If you keep a friend who betrays you, you’re betraying yourself.

[thepositiveside]

I'm a grown-ass man and I just love hearing the amount of wisdom in this interview! Men can use some of this advice/wisdom too! ❤

[valeriamahlangu]

I enjoyed this so much I didn't want it to end❤❤🎉Happy 60th birthday Melinda🎉Love these 3 powerful women!

[patriciamarshall]

I turn 60 this year and I’m blessed to be here and of sound mind and pretty healthy too. I’m more grateful the older and wiser I become.

[tbangify]

This was a treat! Happy birthday, Melinda. ❤

[barbarapeters]

Amazing!! 3 real human beings inspiring us to speak our truth. Rock on ladies. Happy 60th birthday dear Melinda!

[lysahickman]

“If you keep a friend who betrays you, you’re betraying yourself” whew, that was good!!

[Sophia-yorp]

Melinda is amazing. I am so happy for her. Beautiful inside and out.

[kelleyramsey]

I watched you on Colbert. What a lovely woman you are...inside and out. Im 63 and happy living my best life....hoping to be an example for my 15 grandkids and 1 great great granddaughter. Thank you Melinda, for your generosity ❤

[maureenvalle]

Thank you Melinda, Oprah & Gayle!
So inspiring 🎉

[debraboler]

61 and about to have a major life change… I appreciate this conversation sooo… ❤️

[BB-qmiw]

This conversation needs to just go on. So wonderful, enlightening, and empowering.

We need a Part 2!

[TheLadyinNavy]

Yes, these ladies and their conversation was so delightful. Thank you for sharing your life lessons and wisdom. This is so needed among women.