You see Gayle King every morning on CBS, usually rocking a bold dress and delivering the news with that specific brand of warmth she’s known for. She feels like everyone’s favorite auntie. But while we know everything about her friendship with Oprah, people still constantly search for the same thing: who was Gayle King married to?
It’s been a minute since she was a "Mrs." Honestly, three decades have passed since her divorce was finalized. Still, the story of her marriage to William Bumpus remains one of those Hollywood—well, journalism world—mysteries that fans keep circling back to. Maybe it’s because she’s so open about her life now, or maybe it’s because the drama of how it ended sounds like something straight out of a movie script.
The Man Behind the Marriage: William Bumpus
So, who was he? William Bumpus wasn’t a TV star or a famous face in the media. He was a Yale-educated attorney. Basically, a very smart, very successful guy who worked as an assistant attorney general in Connecticut. They tied the knot in 1982. At the time, Gayle was building her career in local news, and for a while, they were that classic power couple—the rising journalist and the sharp legal mind.
They stayed married for 11 years. That’s a long time in the world of public eye relationships. During those years, they built a real life together. They had two kids: Kirby and William Bumpus Jr. Everything seemed fine on the outside, but as we later learned, things were anything but perfect behind closed doors.
Why Did Gayle King Get Divorced?
If you’ve ever heard Gayle talk about her marriage, she doesn't hold back. She’s famously blunt. The reason for the split? Infidelity.
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In a 2016 interview with Vanity Fair, she was asked which living person she most despised. While she didn't name names exactly, she gave a very specific, very spicy answer. She said she wasn't a "huge fan" of the woman she caught naked with her husband on June 24, 1990, at 9:16 P.M.
Yeah, she remembered the exact minute.
That kind of detail stays with you. She has described finding him in bed with another woman—who happened to be a friend—while she was away on a trip with the kids. It’s the ultimate betrayal. Despite the heartbreak, they didn't split immediately; the divorce wasn't actually finalized until 1993.
Life as a Single Mom and "Favorite" Kids
After the divorce, Gayle shifted her entire focus to her kids. If you follow her on Instagram, you know she constantly refers to them as her "favorite daughter" and "favorite son." It’s a running joke that clearly shows how tight they are.
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Kirby Bumpus, her daughter, has lived a pretty impressive life. She graduated from Stanford and Columbia and eventually got married at Oprah’s house (because of course). Recently, Gayle became a grandmother when Kirby had her kids, Luca and Grayson.
Then there’s Will Jr. He also went to Duke and Stanford. In June 2024, he married Elise Smith in a ceremony that was—you guessed it—also at Oprah’s massive estate. Gayle was over the moon, sharing every detail of the "epic" vows. Just recently, in November 2025, Gayle announced that Will and Elise are expecting their first baby. The Bumpus family tree is growing fast.
Where is William Bumpus Now?
You might wonder if there’s bad blood between Gayle and her ex-husband after all these years. Surprisingly, no.
In 2016, after Gayle’s Vanity Fair comments went viral, William actually issued a public apology. He said he had been "haunted" by his choice and praised Gayle for how she handled the situation with grace. He’s spent the last few decades working as a lawyer in Connecticut, specifically focusing on family law and representing children in court.
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Today, they are actually friends. They co-parented their kids successfully and even spend holidays and big family events together. It’s a weirdly healthy ending to a pretty messy beginning.
Is Gayle King Looking for Love Again?
As of early 2026, Gayle is very much single, but she’s not necessarily closed off to the idea of marriage. In fact, she recently mentioned that getting married is still on her bucket list. She’s looking for a partner who "truly celebrates" her.
She’s had some bad luck lately, though. She shared a story about a guy she was seeing in 2024 who asked to borrow money after only two months of dating. Needless to say, that was the end of that. She’s looking for someone established, someone who isn’t her kids' age, and someone who can keep up with her "breaking news" lifestyle.
Moving Forward: Lessons from Gayle's Journey
If there’s anything to learn from Gayle King’s marriage and divorce, it’s these three things:
- Forgiveness is for you: Gayle stayed friends with her ex not for him, but for her kids and her own peace of mind.
- Success is the best revenge: Since her divorce in 1993, Gayle’s career has skyrocketed. She didn't let a bad marriage define her future.
- It’s never too late: Even at 71, she’s still optimistic about finding "the one."
If you’re interested in following Gayle's latest family updates, her Instagram is the best place to see the new grandbabies and the "favorite" children. It’s clear that while the marriage didn't last, the family she built certainly did.