Gayle King: Net Worth, Husband, Height, Age, Illness, Space, Children & More

Gayle King is an American journalist, television personality, and author best known as a longtime CBS News anchor and co-host of CBS Mornings. She has also worked as an editor-at-large for Oprah Daily and has maintained a close friendship with Oprah Winfrey dating back to the 1970s.

In 2025, King added an extraordinary chapter to her career when she traveled to the edge of space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard as part of the company's first all-female human spaceflight.

Quick Facts About Gayle King

●      Full name: Gayle Patrice King

●      Born: December 28, 1954

●      Age: 71

●      Birthplace: Chevy Chase, Maryland

●      Nationality: American

●      Profession: Journalist, television personality, author

●      Current network: CBS News

●      Program: CBS Mornings

●      Height: About 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

●      Former husband: William Bumpus

●      Marriage: 1982–1993

●      Children: Two

●      Daughter: Kirby Bumpus

●      Son: William Bumpus Jr.

●      Spaceflight: Blue Origin NS-31, April 14, 2025

●      Spacecraft: New Shepard

●      COVID-19: Tested positive in 2022

Age

Gayle Patrice King was born on December 28, 1954, in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She is 71 years old.

King spent part of her childhood in Turkey because her father, Scott King, worked there as an electrical engineer. She later returned to the United States and attended the University of Maryland, where she graduated in 1976 with degrees in psychology and sociology.

Height

Gayle King is commonly listed as 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 metres) tall.

This measurement is reported by Celebrity Net Worth, although CBS does not appear to publish an official height for King.

Is Gayle King Married?

No. Gayle King is not currently married.

Her only publicly documented marriage was to William Bumpus, an attorney. The couple married in 1982 and divorced in 1993 after approximately 11 years of marriage. They have two children together.

In 2026, King spoke candidly about her marriage and divorce, including the infidelity that contributed to the breakdown of the relationship. Bumpus has publicly apologized for his behavior and has praised King for maintaining a strong relationship with their children.

Is Gayle King Looking for a Husband?

Yes.

King has said publicly that she remains open to finding love again. In late 2025, she clarified that she was not engaged or married, despite AI-generated images and online rumors suggesting otherwise. She said she was looking for a "great love story."

Therefore, claims that Gayle King currently has a husband or is secretly married are not supported by reliable evidence.

Who Is Gayle King's Ex-Husband?

Her former husband is William Bumpus, a lawyer.

Bumpus and King married in 1982 and had two children. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1993. Bumpus has largely stayed out of the spotlight compared with his famous former wife.

In 2016, Bumpus publicly apologized for his infidelity. He later continued to describe King positively as a mother and co-parent.

Does Gayle King Have Children?

Yes. Gayle King has two children: a daughter, Kirby Bumpus, and a son, William Bumpus Jr.

Kirby was born in 1986, while William Jr. was born in 1987. Both are adults and have established their own careers and families.

King has frequently spoken about how important her children are to her. In 2025, when she was preparing for her Blue Origin flight, she specifically consulted Kirby and Will before agreeing to participate.

Who Is Kirby Bumpus?

Kirby Bumpus is Gayle King's daughter.

She attended Stanford University and later earned a master's degree from Columbia University. Her professional background includes public health and corporate social-impact work.

Kirby married Virgil Miller in 2020. The couple has two children, making Gayle King a grandmother.

Who Is William Bumpus Jr.?

William Bumpus Jr., often known as Will, is King's son.

He attended Duke University and later earned an MBA from Stanford. He has worked in finance and technology and has also been involved in nonprofit and investment-related work.

Will has also remained close to his mother and supported her decision to travel into space.

Gayle King and Space: Did She Really Go to Space?

Yes. Gayle King actually traveled to space.

On April 14, 2025, King flew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft as part of the company's NS-31 mission.

The flight carried an all-female crew consisting of:

●      Gayle King

●      Katy Perry

●      Lauren Sánchez

●      Aisha Bowe

●      Amanda Nguyen

●      Kerianne Flynn

The spacecraft reached an altitude of approximately 346,802 feet, or about 65.7 miles (105.6 km), crossing the internationally recognized Kármán line. The entire flight lasted approximately 10 minutes and 21 seconds.

Why Did Gayle King Go to Space?

Interestingly, King said that going to space had never been her dream.

She was initially frightened by the idea and described herself as a nervous flyer. However, she viewed the opportunity as a chance to step outside her comfort zone and embrace a new experience at age 70.

Before agreeing to the flight, she consulted her children and Oprah Winfrey. All three encouraged her to go.

What Did Gayle King Say About Her Spaceflight?

After returning to Earth, King described the experience as extraordinary and said the spacecraft's view of Earth was profound.

She experienced several minutes of weightlessness and described the environment as surprisingly quiet and peaceful. She also said she had no regrets about participating in the flight.

The experience became one of the most unusual accomplishments of her long broadcasting career.

Gayle King's Illness and Health

There is no reliable evidence that Gayle King has been diagnosed with cancer or another major chronic disease.

However, she has publicly discussed several health-related experiences.

COVID-19

King tested positive for COVID-19 in June 2022. At the time, she said she was fully vaccinated and boosted and discussed her concerns about the infection and the possibility of longer-term effects.

She had also experienced a false-positive COVID test in 2021, which temporarily kept her away from CBS This Morning. Subsequent testing showed that the earlier result had been false.

Menopause

King has also openly discussed going through perimenopause and menopause, including experiencing hot flashes.

In a 2023 CBS interview with Drew Barrymore, King described hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause. She said she had discussed the issue with a doctor but did not take hormone therapy.

Weight and Fitness

King has spoken openly about weight management and exercise. She has used Weight Watchers and has described maintaining a regular exercise routine involving both cardiovascular and strength training.

So, if you see online claims that Gayle King is seriously ill, it is important to distinguish documented health experiences such as COVID-19 and menopause from unsupported rumors of serious disease.

Gayle King's Career

King's journalism career began long before her national television fame.

After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1976, she entered television news and eventually became a longtime anchor at WFSB-TV in Hartford, Connecticut, where she worked for approximately 18 years.

She later expanded her media career through radio and television.

Gayle King and CBS

King joined CBS News in 2011 and became one of the network's most recognizable morning-news personalities.

She was a co-host of CBS This Morning before the program was replaced by CBS Mornings.

Her interviews have included major political figures, entertainers, athletes and newsmakers.

She has also become known for conducting long-form interviews in which she asks direct questions about highly personal or controversial subjects.

Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey

King and Oprah Winfrey have been close friends since 1976, decades before either became a household name.

Their friendship is one of the best-known relationships in American television.

Winfrey is also the godmother of King's children, Kirby and William Jr.

The two women have supported one another professionally and personally throughout their careers.

King has frequently described Winfrey as one of the people whose opinion she trusts most.

Gayle King as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model

In 2024, King appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue at age 69.

The appearance attracted significant attention because King had never expected to become a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model.

She joked about sending a copy of the issue to her former husband. Her children also congratulated her on the achievement.

The appearance became another example of King's willingness to take on new challenges later in life.

Gayle King's Net Worth

Gayle King's exact net worth is not publicly disclosed.

Celebrity Net Worth currently estimates her fortune at approximately $50 million. The same source estimates her annual salary at approximately $15 million.

However, these figures are estimates rather than officially confirmed financial information.

King's long career in television is the principal reason she has accumulated substantial wealth. Her professional work has included local news, CBS, radio, magazine publishing, book projects, and television production.

Awards and Recognition

King has received considerable recognition during her journalism career.

She was named to TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People list in 2019.

Her career has also earned her recognition from the television and journalism industries.

Beyond awards, her longevity in American broadcast journalism is perhaps her most notable professional achievement. She has remained a major television presence across several decades and multiple generations of viewers.

Conclusion

Gayle King has built a remarkable career that extends far beyond morning television. From local news in Connecticut to becoming one of CBS's best-known anchors, she has spent decades interviewing some of the world's most prominent figures.

Her personal life has also attracted considerable public interest. She was married to William Bumpus from 1982 until 1993, and they have two children, Kirby and William Jr. She is currently single and has said she remains open to finding love again.

Perhaps the most unexpected chapter of King's recent career came in April 2025, when she traveled to space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard. The roughly 10-minute flight took her and five other women beyond the Kármán line, making King one of the relatively small number of people to experience spaceflight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Oprah still friends with Gayle King?

Yes. Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are still close friends. The two have been best friends for nearly five decades after meeting early in their careers. In 2026, King continued to describe Winfrey as her best friend, while recent coverage has also shown them together at events.

2. Why did Gayle King leave her husband?

Gayle King divorced her former husband, William Bumpus, in 1993 after discovering that he had been unfaithful. King recently discussed the marriage publicly, explaining that she caught Bumpus with one of her close friends in 1990. The couple attempted to reconcile, but King eventually decided the relationship could not be repaired.

3. Is Gayle King currently in a relationship?

Gayle King has not publicly confirmed a current romantic partner. She has said that she is open to finding love again. In December 2025, she specifically stated that she was not married or engaged.

4. Why did Snoop Dogg get mad at Gayle King?

Snoop Dogg became angry with Gayle King in 2020 after she interviewed former WNBA star Lisa Leslie about Kobe Bryant's legacy. During the interview, King asked Leslie about allegations of sexual assault that had been made against Bryant in 2003. Snoop criticized King for what he viewed as an inappropriate focus on the allegations shortly after Bryant's death. He later apologized to King for the harsh language he used when criticizing her.