Oprah Winfrey throws surprise birthday bash for Gayle King that nearly gives her a 'heart attack'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Oprah Winfrey pulled off an unforgettable birthday surprise for her best friend of 50 years, Gayle King.

The media mogul surprised King with an epic celebration ahead of her 70th birthday, leaving her friend visibly shocked and emotional.

Inside Oprah Winfrey's surprise party for 'bestie' Gayle King

In a video shared on Instagram on Saturday, December 14, Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are seen entering a venue when King is suddenly greeted by cheers from loved ones.

Taken aback, King’s reaction is priceless as the room erupts into a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

“My bestie of 50 years is turning 70, so we gathered everyone that loved her to celebrate,” Winfrey wrote in the caption.

She humorously added, “Hard thing to surprise her, O the stories we have made up, the lies we have told to keep this a secret."

"Happy birthday @gayleking, sorry we almost gave you a heart attack,” she shared.

In a separate post by King, she spoke about Winfrey's surprise. She also shared a video of the party and wrote, "Talk about a surprise !!! I thought I was going to @oprah’s holiday dinner for the @oprahdaily team at her favorite restaurant @cisiamonyc and then THIS happened…"

Celebration of Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey's birthdays

Gayle King’s milestone birthday will officially be on December 28, but this pre-celebration was a touching reminder of the duo’s enduring friendship.

Her surprise bash was a stark contrast to how Winfrey celebrated her own 70th birthday earlier this year.

On January 29, Winfrey chose a much quieter affair, marking the milestone with a jog along the beach.

In an Instagram post at the time, she wrote, “Celebrating 70 with a run on the beach. #healthisthebestgift. Thank you for all the birthday love.”

King, always the supportive friend, commemorated Winfrey’s day by sharing a sweet video of Winfrey spending quality time with King’s grandson, Luca, during a Christmas getaway.

"Happy to say at 70 @oprah is still a very good reader! While Favorite grandson Luca is too young to understand how special this moment was, it’s not lost on me,” read her caption.

Revealing Winfrey’s birthday wish, King shared, “When asked how she wanted to spend her birthday, she said, ‘No gifts, no parties, no surprises!’"

"Her preference was to sit by the fire with a good book and savor the fragrance of her life! Happy birthday Oprah!!” she added, according to People.