William Bumpus is best known to the public as the former husband of journalist and television personality, Gayle King. However, Bumpus has built a successful career as an attorney and public servant. Despite his preference for a private life away from the limelight, Bumpus contributions to law and his family remain significant.
Early Life
Bill Bumpus was born in the USA but little is known about his early life, family and upbringing. Bumpus has given little detail about his private life. But he reportedly grew up in a home that valued education and ambition, which may have prepared him for the law profession.
William Bumpus’ Education and Career Path
Bumpus later earned a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. His legal training and public service meant he worked as an attorney, practicing criminal law and justice. Bumpus was an assistant attorney general in Connecticut and prosecuted various cases.
Marriage to Gayle King
William Bumpus married Gayle King in 1982, a journalist and television anchor who became one of media’s biggest names. At first, the couple seemed very close, working full time alongside raising a family.
However, they had problems with their marriage and in 1993, after 11 years together, Bumpus and King divorced. The separation made King famous for being upfront about the personal hurdles she faced during the process. And although their split was public, Bumpus and King still co-parented.
Children and Family Life
William Bumpus and Gayle King have 2 children together: one daughter, Kirby Bumpus, and one son, William Bumpus Jr.
Kirby Bumpus has followed a path in public health and wellness. She attended Stanford University and graduated with a Master of public health. Kirby worked on several public health initiatives and served in the Obama administration.
William Bumpus Jr. has mostly been private about his career and personal life.
Both children maintain good relationships with their parents, often appearing in public with Gayle King.
Gayle King’s Career
Gayle King graduated from the University of Maryland in psychology. But she loved media so she became a journalist. She began broadcasting as a production assistant, then as a reporter and anchor.
King broke through as a news anchor on WFSB-TV in Hartford, Connecticut. Furthermore, In 1999, she became an editor-at-large for O, The Oprah Magazine. That collaboration with close friend, Oprah Winfrey, raised her public profile even more.
King reached her most recent professional milestone in 2011, when she joined CBS This Morning as co-anchor. She also built a reputation as a good journalist when she interviewed R. Kelly in 2019, and remained cool when the singer broke down. This was an important interview for her career, as she proved professional and resilient under pressure.
Throughout her career, Gayle King has received numerous accolades, including Emmy Awards and recognition from the National Association of Black Journalists. Her contributions to media and her work for diversity and representation shaped the industry.
William Bumpus’ Legacy and Reflection
William Bumpus’ life is characterized by dedication to his career, family, and public service. Although his personal life occasionally entered the public domain due to his marriage to Gayle King, Bumpus has remained focused on his professional endeavors and the values he instilled in his children.