Gayle King is single. Let’s just get that out of the way immediately. If you’ve seen those weird, grainy images floating around social media lately showing the CBS Mornings anchor in a white gown or sporting a massive rock on her finger, they’re fake. AI-generated nonsense. In late 2025, Gayle actually had to go on national television to tell everyone to stop sending "congratulations" texts because the "lucky man" in the photos was a total stranger she’d never met.
Honestly, the fascination with Gayle King and husband history isn't new. People have been obsessed with her love life for decades, mostly because she is so famously half of the world's most iconic "bestie" duo with Oprah Winfrey. But while Oprah has had Stedman by her side since the mid-eighties, Gayle’s path has been... different.
She was married once. It didn't end with a quiet drifting apart or "irreconcilable differences" in the polite, Hollywood sense. It ended with a scene straight out of a Lifetime movie.
The William Bumpus Years: What Really Happened
Back in 1982, Gayle married William Bumpus. He was a lawyer, an assistant attorney general in Connecticut, and by all accounts, a pretty sharp guy. They were married for eleven years. They had two kids, Kirby and William Jr. For a long time, it looked like the standard professional power couple setup.
Then came June 24, 1990.
Gayle has been incredibly candid about this, even if it took her years to talk about it publicly. She came home early from a trip with the kids—one of those "the flight was canceled so we caught the earlier one" situations—and walked right into her own bedroom to find her husband with another woman.
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And it wasn't just a stranger. It was a friend.
The details she dropped in a Vanity Fair interview years later were searingly specific. She remembered the exact time: 9:16 P.M. She even mentioned she isn’t a "huge fan" of the woman, though she joked she’s mostly forgotten the details. (We all know you never really forget that).
The Fallout and a Very Long Apology
They divorced in 1993. Divorce is messy for anyone, but imagine doing it while trying to build a career in local news and raising two toddlers. She actually told her kids a "burglar" story to explain why their dad moved out. She told them Daddy had to go stay in the other house to help the police catch a burglar.
That’s a heavy lie to carry.
William Bumpus eventually did something most "celebrity exes" don't do. In 2016, after Gayle brought up the cheating in that questionnaire, he issued a public apology. He didn't make excuses. He said he was "haunted" by the choice he made and praised Gayle for how she handled the co-parenting.
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It’s rare to see that kind of public accountability. Usually, people just hide until the news cycle dies. But he acknowledged that Gayle was a "fantastic co-parent" who kept the kids a priority despite the "major transgression."
Why Gayle King Hasn't Remarried (Yet)
Since 1993, Gayle has been the poster child for the "happily single but looking" demographic. She isn't bitter. She’s just picky. And rightfully so.
She once told a story about a guy she was dating who asked her for a $4,000 loan. That was the end of that. She’s looking for someone who "celebrates" her success rather than being intimidated by it. When you’re a 71-year-old media mogul with an $80 million net worth, "gold digger" isn't just a Kanye song; it's a legitimate dating hazard.
Her 2026 Bucket List
As of early 2026, Gayle has made it clear: marriage is officially on her bucket list. She’s been through the milestones of her kids' lives—her son Will Jr. got married at Oprah’s house in June 2024, and her daughter Kirby has made her a grandmother—and now she’s looking for her own "great love story."
She’s even joked on air that men should "shoot their shot."
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But the requirements are steep:
- Must be comfortable in their own skin.
- Must not ask for a loan on the second month.
- Must be okay with the fact that Oprah is essentially part of the package.
The Oprah Factor: Why It Matters
You can’t talk about Gayle King and husband rumors without talking about Oprah. For years, people whispered that they were more than friends. They’ve laughed it off a million times. Oprah even told Melinda French Gates in 2024 that the rumors were just something they had to "be up against forever."
The truth is just a very intense, 40-year-plus friendship. When Gayle caught her husband cheating, Oprah was the first person she called. Oprah was the one who told her not to take him back when he was on his knees crying. That kind of support system makes the "need" for a husband a lot less urgent.
Moving Forward: What to Look For
If Gayle King does get married again, you won't find out from a random Facebook ad or an AI-generated photo. She’s a journalist. She’ll break the news herself on CBS Mornings.
Until then, the takeaway from her journey is pretty simple. She didn't let a public, humiliating betrayal define the rest of her life. She focused on her kids, her career, and a friendship that is arguably more stable than most marriages.
If you're following her journey, keep an eye on her "Note to Self" segments. She’s often dropped the most profound wisdom there—reminding people that being alone isn't the same as being lonely, and that it’s better to be single than to be with someone who makes you feel small.
Actionable Insights for the Dating World
- Trust the "early" return: If you have a gut feeling, don't ignore it. Gayle’s life changed because she came home a day early.
- Co-parenting is a choice: Even after a "nasty" divorce, Gayle and William managed to raise two Ivy League graduates who are clearly thriving. It’s possible to hate the act but respect the father.
- Vetting is vital: If someone asks for a significant loan early in a relationship, take Gayle’s advice and run.
- The "Celebration" Test: Does your partner get excited when you win? If they say things like "I'll be glad when this career stuff is over," they aren't your person.
Gayle King is currently navigating 2026 with a "work in progress" sign on her heart, but she’s doing it on her own terms. No "burglar" stories required this time.