"That's what it was for me. To show you that it's 69 and feeling really fine," the 'CBS Mornings' co-host tells PEOPLE

Once King realized it was genuine, the CBS Mornings host was "excited. That's what it was for me. To show you that it's 69 and feeling really fine."

The Emmy-winning journalist, 69, was surprised to be one of the mag’s cover stars for their 60th anniversary issue in May 2023.

Gayle King thought she was being "punked" when she was asked to pose for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. The 69-year-old TV star couldn't believe it when she was approached about starring in the Swimsuit Issue of the long-running magazine.