Celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 09:12 29 May 2026 GMT
Gayle King has unreservedly revealed the qualities she finds most attractive in men, and she definitely didn’t shy away from the hottest topics.
During an appearance on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, the longtime CBS Mornings anchor opened up about dating, attraction, and the type of man who catches her attention.
King, 71, who has been divorced since 1993, was asked during a rapid-fire Q&A segment: “What would people be surprised to know you’re into? What do you look for?”
Without hesitation, she replied: “I like big, Alex, in every way.”
She then joked: “You can take with that big hands, big chest, big muscles, big feet. Do with that what you will.”
King also admitted that personality matters just as much as appearance, adding: “I also like a guy with a sense of humor. Somebody that can make you laugh — panties come off.”
Expanding further on her ideal partner, the TV personality said she wants someone physically strong enough to sweep her off her feet — literally.
“I want somebody that can pick me up and carry me across the room. And [he] doesn’t go, ‘Oh, my back.’ I want that,” she laughed.
King also shared that she tends to date younger men because, in her experience, men her own age can sometimes lack excitement.
“Guys my age, they… tend to be a little boring,” she said. “You can’t generalize, but that has been my experience so far.”
However, she clarified there is still a limit, joking that she wouldn’t date anyone young enough that she “could have given birth” to them.
The broadcaster also detailed her perfect date night, revealing she enjoys simple but meaningful experiences.
“I love a good restaurant. I love a movie. I like a restaurant, movie, then we can talk about the movie. I love that,” she said.
As for immediate turn-offs, King said smoking is a complete deal breaker.
“I hate smoking. I just — the smell of it. I just don’t like smoking,” she admitted.
Elsewhere in the interview, King reflected on her decades-long friendship with Oprah Winfrey, describing their connection as one of the most important relationships in her life.
Winfrey previously praised King during a now-viral interview with Barbara Walters, calling her “the mother I never had, the sister everyone would want, and the friend that everyone deserves.”
She also added: “I don’t know a better person.”
Looking back on Oprah’s emotional tribute, King admitted she was deeply touched by the comments.
“I got choked up watching that,” she said.
“I’m sitting there watching Barbara Walters, eating my popcorn, and then I called [Winfrey] and I said, ‘Oh my God. I can’t believe what you just said,’ because I never thought about myself in that capacity, [being] all those things to her. But we do have a very unique bond.”
