William Bumpus became known to the public largely through his marriage to television journalist and broadcaster Gayle King. Their relationship began decades ago, when both were building their professional and personal lives, and eventually became a family story involving marriage, two children, divorce, and years of life after their separation.
King and Bumpus were married in 1982 and divorced in 1993. During their marriage, they welcomed two children, Kirby Bumpus and William Bumpus Jr. Although their relationship ended, they remained connected through their children. In 2026, King spoke more openly about the difficult period surrounding the end of the marriage, bringing renewed attention to a chapter that had largely remained in the past.
Quick Bio of William Bumpus
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William G. Bumpus |
| Known For | Former marriage to Gayle King |
| Profession | Attorney and legal professional |
| Education | Yale Law School |
| Former Legal Work | Connecticut legal system |
| Legal Focus | Child protection and related matters |
| Former Position | Assistant Attorney General in Connecticut |
| Former Role | Assistant State’s Attorney |
| Former Career | Police officer |
| Former Academic Work | Professor and dean |
| Former Wife | Gayle King |
| Marriage Year | 1982 |
| Divorce Year | 1993 |
| Children | Kirby Bumpus and William Bumpus Jr. |
| Family Connection | Father of two and grandfather |
Who Is William Bumpus?
William Bumpus is an attorney whose professional life has included legal and public-service work. He earned a law degree from Yale Law School and worked in Connecticut, where his career included positions connected to the state’s legal system.
Reports about his professional history have also described earlier work as a police officer in Kansas City and later roles involving child protection. He served as an assistant state’s attorney and an assistant attorney general in Connecticut. His career also included academic work at Central Connecticut State University.
Despite having a professional career of his own, Bumpus has received far more public attention because of his connection to Gayle King. Unlike King, who built a highly visible career in television and journalism, Bumpus has generally kept his personal life away from the spotlight.
Who Is Gayle King?
Gayle King is an American journalist and television personality who became one of the most recognizable figures in morning television. Her broadcasting career has included major television and radio roles, while her friendship with Oprah Winfrey has also made her a familiar name to audiences around the world.
King’s professional life continued to grow long after her divorce from Bumpus. She became a prominent CBS journalist and a longtime television host, establishing an identity that extended well beyond her former marriage.
Her public career has also meant that parts of her personal history have occasionally returned to public discussion. Her marriage to William Bumpus is one of those chapters.
How William Bumpus and Gayle King’s Marriage Began
William Bumpus and Gayle King married in 1982. At that point, King was developing her journalism career, while Bumpus was pursuing his legal profession.
Their marriage lasted for 11 years. During that period, they built a family and welcomed two children. Their relationship therefore became more than a celebrity-adjacent marriage; it was also the foundation of the family that remains an important part of King’s life.
William Bumpus and Gayle King’s Children
The couple had two children: daughter Kirby Bumpus and son William Bumpus Jr. Kirby was born in 1986, while William Jr. was born in 1987.
Both children eventually developed professional lives of their own. Public information has connected both with nonprofit and community-focused work, while their family connection to Gayle King has naturally brought some public interest.
Kirby’s family has also expanded over the years. She became a mother, making King a grandmother. This later stage of family life has become another important part of King’s public conversations about her children and family.
What Happened Between William Bumpus and Gayle King?
The marriage became difficult after King discovered that Bumpus had been unfaithful. King has discussed the experience publicly over the years, but she offered especially detailed recollections during a May 2026 appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast.
According to King’s account, she unexpectedly returned home after a canceled flight in 1990 and discovered Bumpus with a woman who had been her friend. She later explained that the experience deeply affected her and changed how she viewed the marriage.
King has also said that the couple tried marital counseling before eventually divorcing. Their divorce was finalized in 1993, ending an 11-year marriage.
Why Did William Bumpus and Gayle King Divorce?
The central reason publicly associated with the divorce was infidelity. King has repeatedly spoken about Bumpus’s affair and the effect it had on their marriage.
In her 2026 podcast appearance, she explained that the experience also changed her own behavior. She described becoming increasingly suspicious and checking on her husband because she was afraid of being hurt again. Eventually, she recognized that she did not want to continue living that way.
The divorce was therefore not simply the result of one difficult moment. King’s later comments indicate that the emotional consequences of the betrayal continued to affect the relationship before it finally ended.
William Bumpus’s Public Apology
Bumpus publicly addressed the affair in 2016, acknowledging his actions and expressing regret. He again apologized publicly in May 2026 after King discussed the experience on Call Her Daddy.
In that later statement, Bumpus apologized to King, their children, and members of the next generation of their family. He acknowledged that his actions had caused pain and said King had the right to share her own experience.
The response was notable because Bumpus has generally maintained a private public profile. King later said she was surprised by the apology but appreciated what he had said. She also described the painful period as something that both had ultimately moved beyond.
Their Relationship After Divorce
Divorce changed the marriage, but it did not end the family’s connection. King has previously emphasized the importance of maintaining communication with an ex-spouse when children are involved.
In a 2006 interview, she explained that she and Bumpus had kept communication open for the sake of their children. Her comments reflected an approach centered on parenting rather than allowing the breakdown of the marriage to permanently damage the family relationship.
Over the years, Bumpus has also spoken positively about King. Their later interactions suggest that their relationship became more cooperative and family-focused with time.
Gayle King’s Life After the Marriage
Following the divorce, Gayle King continued building her career in journalism. Her professional profile grew considerably, eventually leading to major roles in television and national broadcasting.
Her life after William Bumpus also included raising their two children while maintaining a demanding career. King has often spoken about motherhood, family, friendship, and the challenge of balancing personal responsibilities with professional ambitions.
Her long friendship with Oprah Winfrey has also remained a major part of her public identity. The two have known each other for decades, and Winfrey was an important source of support during difficult periods in King’s life.
William Bumpus and Gayle King’s Family Today
The former couple’s children are now adults, meaning the family dynamic has changed significantly from the years when King and Bumpus were raising young children together.
Kirby and William Jr. have both pursued lives away from being defined solely by their parents. Their family has also grown into another generation, giving King the role of grandmother.
For Bumpus, the connection to King remains part of his public biography, but he has generally maintained a much quieter profile. His professional background and family role provide a broader picture of a man whose public recognition largely comes from a marriage that ended decades ago.
What William Bumpus Has Said About Gayle King
Bumpus has not frequently spoken publicly about his former wife. When he has made comments about King in recent years, however, they have generally acknowledged her career and personal qualities.
In 2024, he publicly praised King after she appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. His comments showed that the former couple could interact positively despite the painful history of their marriage.
His 2026 apology offered another example of how their relationship had changed over time. Rather than disputing King’s account, he acknowledged responsibility for his past actions and expressed gratitude for the way she had handled their family.
Why Their Story Still Attracts Interest
William Bumpus and Gayle King’s story continues to attract attention because it combines marriage, family, divorce, personal accountability, and life after a difficult relationship.
It is also a story that has unfolded over several decades. The marriage ended in 1993, yet details about that period have occasionally resurfaced as King has become more open about her personal experiences.
The most recent discussions show how perspectives can change with time. What was once a private family matter became part of King’s public story, while Bumpus’s later apology added his own acknowledgment of the past.
Final Thoughts
William Bumpus and Gayle King shared an important chapter of their lives during the 1980s and early 1990s. Their marriage produced two children and connected their lives in a way that continued long after their divorce.
Their story is also a reminder that a marriage can end while family responsibilities and relationships continue. King went on to build a major journalism career, while Bumpus maintained a considerably quieter professional and personal life.
Decades after their divorce, both have publicly acknowledged the difficult parts of their past. King’s willingness to discuss the experience and Bumpus’s later apology have provided a fuller picture of a relationship that began more than four decades ago. Today, their most lasting connection is their family and the children they raised together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is William Bumpus?
William Bumpus is an attorney and former legal professional who became widely known because he was married to journalist and television personality Gayle King. His professional background includes legal and public-service positions in Connecticut.
When did William Bumpus and Gayle King get married?
William Bumpus and Gayle King married in 1982. Their marriage lasted 11 years before they divorced in 1993.
Why did William Bumpus and Gayle King divorce?
Gayle King has said that her marriage ended after she discovered Bumpus had been unfaithful. She later explained that the experience affected her trust and the way she viewed the relationship.
How many children do William Bumpus and Gayle King have?
They have two children: daughter Kirby Bumpus and son William Bumpus Jr. Kirby was born in 1986, and William Jr. was born in 1987.
What does William Bumpus do?
William Bumpus has a background in law and public service. His career has included work as an attorney, assistant state’s attorney, and assistant attorney general in Connecticut, as well as other professional roles.
Did William Bumpus apologize to Gayle King?
Yes. Bumpus publicly apologized for his past infidelity in 2016 and issued another public apology in 2026 after King discussed their marriage and its difficult ending.
Are William Bumpus and Gayle King still married?
No. They divorced in 1993. Their marriage ended decades ago, although they have remained connected through their children and extended family.
Does William Bumpus have children with Gayle King?
Yes. William Bumpus and Gayle King are the parents of two children, Kirby Bumpus and William Bumpus Jr. Their children are now adults and have families and professional lives of their own.
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