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life in pictures
July 1, 2015

A Day in the Life of Gayle King: 2 Jobs, 5 Outfits, and an Army’s Worth of Spanx

By Rebecca Milzoff

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Photo: Dina Litovsky

“Like everybody, you juggle, and you work it out,” says Gayle King, co-host of CBS This Morning with Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell and editor-at-large of O: The Oprah Magazine, about the 18-to-20-hour workdays she often puts in. “I don’t get enough sleep — I wear the Jawbone Up band to tell me, and last night I got three hours and 43 minutes. But don’t cry for me, because I love my job and I love my life. Sometimes you drop a ball, but you pick it up and keep going.” 

For the latest edition of “Life in Pictures,” photographer Dina Litovsky followed 60-year-old King on June 10, through wardrobe changes, lunch in an elevator, and a panel at the Forbes Women’s Summit.

*This article appears in the June 29, 2015 issue of New York Magazine.

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1 / 13 Photos
4:43 a.m. I have my bag that has all my paperwork in it, and then the other with shoes and body shapers in all different sizes depending on how I’m fe... 4:43 a.m. I have my bag that has all my paperwork in it, and then the other with shoes and body shapers in all different sizes depending on how I’m feeling that day. The car picks me up between 4:30 and 4:45. Photo: Dina Litovsky
In the makeup chair, 5:23 a.m. The transformation begins! I’m so used to [being made up] that I don’t even notice it, believe it or not. It’s almost l... In the makeup chair, 5:23 a.m. The transformation begins! I’m so used to [being made up] that I don’t even notice it, believe it or not. It’s almost like brushing your teeth — except I brush my own teeth. Photo: Dina Litovsky
6:16 a.m. We have a big notebook where I track what I wear — the colors, the styles, accessories. I love a good sheath dress, and I love color — yello... 6:16 a.m. We have a big notebook where I track what I wear — the colors, the styles, accessories. I love a good sheath dress, and I love color — yellow is my favorite. The portrait? A guy who does craft services painted it for me! Photo: Dina Litovsky
8:20 a.m. I knew Charlie before the show, but I didn’t know-know him. Now I invite myself over to his place. We watched the Breaking Bad finale togeth... 8:20 a.m. I knew Charlie before the show, but I didn’t know-know him. Now I invite myself over to his place. We watched the Breaking Bad finale together, and I came with a camera to do selfies. He was like, What are you doing? Photo: Dina Litovsky
11:12 a.m. When we go off the air at 10:30, we have a postmortem and look ahead, and planning starts. We talk to bureaus in Washington, London, and L.... 11:12 a.m. When we go off the air at 10:30, we have a postmortem and look ahead, and planning starts. We talk to bureaus in Washington, London, and L.A. — who’s going where, how things will be handled. Photo: Dina Litovsky
11:17 a.m. You know, I first got glasses in sixth grade and hated it. And now they’re a great accessory! I’m a big Warby Parker girl, but I get them f... 11:17 a.m. You know, I first got glasses in sixth grade and hated it. And now they’re a great accessory! I’m a big Warby Parker girl, but I get them from all over — I bought some bootleg eyeglasses in China, bazaar glasses. Photo: Dina Litovsky
12:07 p.m. I’m at O every day. The two jobs don’t bleed together: CBS is live, and at the magazine, we’re three months out. But there are times I’ll s... 12:07 p.m. I’m at O every day. The two jobs don’t bleed together: CBS is live, and at the magazine, we’re three months out. But there are times I’ll say, “We’re doing this great story in the magazine; we should do it for CBS.” Photo: Dina Litovsky
Off to the Forbes Women’s Summit, 1:38 p.m. I was interviewing the CEO of Rent the Runway, and changed into one of their dresses, and I was doing last... Off to the Forbes Women’s Summit, 1:38 p.m. I was interviewing the CEO of Rent the Runway, and changed into one of their dresses, and I was doing last-minute prep in the car. The flip phone? Listen, I like it. You can take it anywhere. Photo: Dina Litovsky
A very rushed elevator meal, 2:05 p.m. I’m not hungry at 3:30 in the morning; I can have a little bit of fruit and then wait till lunch. I passed on d... A very rushed elevator meal, 2:05 p.m. I’m not hungry at 3:30 in the morning; I can have a little bit of fruit and then wait till lunch. I passed on dessert — I’m trying to save some eating room for vacation in July. Photo: Dina Litovsky
2:22 p.m. Ivanka Trump was on the panel, and rather than showcase one of her pairs, I went with both, as a wink to her. I made a point of telling ever... 2:22 p.m. Ivanka Trump was on the panel, and rather than showcase one of her pairs, I went with both, as a wink to her. I made a point of telling everyone, but as I was walking out, people were like, “Gayle? You know you have …” Photo: Dina Litovsky
2:30 p.m. That’s Sara Blakely of Spanx on the right. I remember meeting her on Oprah years ago, so I’m thrilled for her success. I wear Spanx every da... 2:30 p.m. That’s Sara Blakely of Spanx on the right. I remember meeting her on Oprah years ago, so I’m thrilled for her success. I wear Spanx every day anyway, but she did give everyone there her new Trust Your Thinstincts. Photo: Dina Litovsky
Back at O for a fashion run-through, 4:53 p.m. I put on green, because I have this bad habit of touching my face when I’m wearing makeup and then touc... Back at O for a fashion run-through, 4:53 p.m. I put on green, because I have this bad habit of touching my face when I’m wearing makeup and then touching my dress, so the yellow was in bad shape. Photo: Dina Litovsky
At a Princess Grace Foundation screening of Rear Window, 7:16 p.m. I didn’t make the after-party — my homework’s delivered between 7:30 and 8. I don’t... At a Princess Grace Foundation screening of Rear Window, 7:16 p.m. I didn’t make the after-party — my homework’s delivered between 7:30 and 8. I don’t go to bed till 10 or 11. If I go to bed too early, I wake up at 1. Photo: Dina Litovsky
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