SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): NOVEMBER 21, 2003


                              THE GILLETTE COMPANY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
                                            


         DELAWARE                   1-922           04-1366970
-------------------------------   ------------    ------------------------------
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF    (COMMISSION    (IRS EMPLOYER
       INCORPORATION)             FILE NUMBER)    IDENTIFICATION NO.)




             PRUDENTIAL TOWER BUILDING, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02199
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)

       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (617) 421-7000



ITEM  5. OTHER EVENTS

      In order to furnish certain exhibits for incorporation by reference into
the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of The Gillette Company previously filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 333-86336), which
Registration Statement was declared effective by the Commission on July 10,
2002, The Gillette Company is filing (i) as Exhibit 1.5 to such Registration
Statement, a Terms Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2003, between The
Gillette Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("Morgan Stanley"),
relating to the purchase and sale of the Note and (ii) as Exhibit 4.9 to such
Registration Statement, the Note, dated December 1, 2003, issued by The Gillette
Company in connection with the offering described in the Terms Agreement.

ITEM  7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

(C)   EXHIBITS:

      1.5   Terms Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2003, between The Gillette
            Company and Morgan Stanley.

      4.9   Note dated December 1, 2003.

                                    SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                          THE GILLETTE COMPANY

Date:   December 1, 2003                 By: /s/ Gail F. Sullivan
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  Gail F. Sullivan
                                             Title: Vice President and Treasurer




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

      The following designated exhibits are filed herewith:

      1.5   Terms Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2003, between The Gillette
            Company and Morgan Stanley.

      4.9   Note dated December 1, 2003.