Talk show host Oprah Winfrey was notably absent from a scheduled appearance on CBS this week as it was later revealed she’d been hospitalised with a worrying illness.
The media mogul had to cancel her promotion of David Wroblewski’s book Familiaris on June 11. It’s the latest addition to Oprah’s Book Club collection.
Close friend and fellow host Gayle King shared her concern along with details about Oprah’s health on air.
Oprah Winfrey hospitalised as agent shares statement
“She had some kind of stomach thing – stomach flu – stuff was coming out of both ends,” Gayle told the audience. “Won’t get too graphic. Needless to say, she ended up in the hospital, dehydration, had to get an IV, it was a very serious thing.”
However, she reassured fans and viewers that Oprah would be “okay”. “I hope she’s not mad at me for sharing that detail,” she then added.
Despite her illness, Oprah still managed to engage with her fans through social media.
On her book club’s Instagram page, she shared a photo of herself smiling and holding up Wroblewski’s book. “I’m delighted for us to dive into an epic novel from the tremendously talented bestselling author,” she wrote.
She also shared the reading schedule for the book club participants, as well as a video of her and Gayle contacting David Wroblewski to reveal that his book had been chosen as her summer selection.
A few fans sent well wishes to the star in the comments.
“Get well soon,” one wrote. “@oprah I hope you feel better,” another commented.
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Her reps has now issued a statement.
“We are happy to share that after receiving an IV due to dehydration at the recommendation of her doctor, Oprah is feeling much better. We wish her a speedy recovery,” the post was captioned online.
Oprah Winfrey on her weight loss
This stomach illness comes shortly after Oprah openly discussed her use of weight-loss medication.
In an interview with People magazine, the presenter confirmed she was using weight loss drugs similar to Ozempic to lose weight.
“I was actually recommending it to people long before I was on it myself,” she admitted. “The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift.”
Reflecting on her struggles with weight, Oprah shared: “I have been blamed and shamed, and I blamed and shamed myself.”
Soon after, she made the decision to step down from the board of WeightWatchers after 10 years. The host and presenter explained that she wanted to avoid any potential “conflict of interest”.
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