Gayle King’s ex-husband, William Bumpus, has finally spoken out after the CBS Mornings co-host detailed the moment she discovered his affair with a close friend during their marriage. King, 71, was married to Bumpus for 11 years (1982–1993) and shares two children with him: Kirby and William Jr.
After King discussed the cheating ordeal on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Bumpus issued a heartfelt apology: “My deepest apologies to Gayle, our children, and grandchildren for the pain I caused decades ago. Those actions were mine, and I have long owned them.” He acknowledged her right to share her story and praised her for prioritizing their children.
Bumpus also reflected on how he struggled with Gayle’s very public career during their marriage. “As a private person, I didn’t fully appreciate her public life… I am proud to have had a front-row seat to Gayle’s remarkable success and remain a genuine admirer and fan,” he said.
He added he remains thankful for the family they built together, and that he and Gayle “remain in a good place”, noting a recent warm birthday gesture from King to their teenage daughter.
King recounted walking in on her husband and a family friend, both unclothed beneath bathrobes, when she returned home unannounced with their young children nearby. She immediately confided in her friend Oprah Winfrey, who said: “You don’t even know how bad this is.”
Despite the betrayal, Bumpus commended King for co-parenting successfully and supporting him to earn his Yale Law degree. “Gayle was a great wife, an excellent mother, and a fantastic co-parent. I am eternally grateful for all she has done to enrich my life and our children’s lives,” he said.
The couple’s story is a reminder of resilience, forgiveness, and the enduring impact of family bonds, even in the face of past heartbreak.
Source: Daily Mail
