Content Advisory: This article discusses alleged infidelity, divorce, and family conflict. Reader discretion is advised.
Gayle King has brought renewed attention to her past marriage after opening up about the moment she says changed everything.
The ‘CBS Mornings’ host revisited her divorce from ex-husband William Bumpus during a candid appearance on Alex Cooper’s ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast. King recalled discovering what she described as an alleged affair involving Bumpus and one of her friends.
The story quickly pulled attention back to Bumpus, the attorney who was married to King for more than a decade before their divorce in 1993.
Who Is William Bumpus?
William Bumpus is an American attorney and former assistant attorney general in Connecticut. He became publicly known through his marriage to King, though he has largely stayed out of the spotlight compared with his famous ex-wife.
King and Bumpus married in 1982, years before King became one of the most recognizable names in American morning television. The couple welcomed two children together, daughter Kirby Bumpus and son William Bumpus Jr. While King built her broadcasting career, Bumpus reportedly continued working in law and public service.
Since their divorce, he has mostly kept a private profile. Still, his name resurfaces whenever King speaks about the end of their marriage.
King Recalls Alleged Affair Discovery
During the podcast, King said she returned home early from a trip and noticed unusual behavior from Bumpus.
According to King, her then-husband tried to stop her from going into their bedroom. She then allegedly found one of her female friends inside the home wearing King’s towel.
King said her first concern was protecting her children from the situation. She recalled asking the family’s nanny to keep the children occupied while she handled the confrontation privately.
The broadcaster said she tried not to create a public scene, despite what she believed she had discovered. King also claimed Bumpus discouraged her from contacting the woman’s husband, allegedly saying that the couple had a stable marriage.
Oprah Was King’s Only Confidante
King said she initially kept the alleged affair from most of her family, including her mother and sisters. Instead, she told only Oprah Winfrey.
According to King, Winfrey encouraged her to contact the woman’s husband and tell him what had happened. King said that conversation became frustrating after the husband allegedly accused her of misreading the situation.
King also recalled Winfrey offering to fly her and her children to Chicago so she could get away from the emotional chaos.
The detail added another layer to King and Winfrey’s decades-long friendship, showing how close the two were during one of the most difficult moments in King’s private life.
King Talks Dating After Divorce
King also spoke about her current view of dating.
She said she does not feel a strong need to remarry because she already has a full life and successful career. Still, she remains open to companionship.
King joked about the type of men she finds attractive, including retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady. She also said she would consider dating a younger man, adding that men closer to her age can sometimes seem “a little boring.”
The interview left fans talking for two reasons. King gave a rare and detailed account of the moment her marriage began to unravel. She also made it clear that while the experience hurt her, it did not define the rest of her life.
Decades later, King is still telling the story on her own terms.
