Gayle King is a renowned American television journalist and talk show host. She has a warm personality and engaging interviewing style. Audiences trust her for thoughtful questions and honest conversations. Her real name is Gayle King. People know her simply as Gayle King worldwide.
She was born on December 28, 1954 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Her age in 2026 is 71 years old. She stands 5 feet 9 inches tall. Her weight is around 68 kg. Gayle works as a journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings.
Her career started in 1976 at a TV station in Kansas City. She co-hosts “CBS Mornings” since 2012. Her family includes her two children and ex-husband. She was married to William Bumpus from 1982 to 1993. Her net worth is estimated at $12 million. Her main income sources include CBS salary, speaking events, and magazine work.
Gayle King Bio
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gayle King |
| Birth | December 28, 1954 |
| Age (2026) | 71 years |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 38-32-40 inches |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type / Build | Curvy |
| Shoe Size | 9 (US) |
| Dress Size | 10 (US) |
| Bra Size | 36C |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Occupation | Journalist, TV Host, Talk Show Co-Host |
| Education | University of Maryland (dropped out) |
| Career Highlights | CBS Mornings Co-Anchor (2012-Present), O, The Oprah Magazine Editor-at-Large |
| Net Worth | $12 million |
| Wealth Sources | CBS Salary ($11M/year), Speaking Gigs, Radio Hosting |
| Notable Skills | Interviewing, Broadcasting, Writing |
| Family | William Bumpus (ex-husband), Kirby Bumpus (daughter), William Bumpus Jr. (son) |
| Social Presence | Instagram: @gayleking (2M+), Twitter: @GayleKing (1.5M+) |
Gayle King Real Name
Gayle King is the journalist’s complete birth name. She has no middle name on official records. Her name Gayle means “joyful” in English. She never changed her maiden name professionally.
Her mother chose the name Gayle for simplicity. She kept her birth name after marriage and divorce. The King surname comes from her father’s side. She has no stage name or pseudonym.
Fans and colleagues call her Gayle affectionately. Her best friend Oprah Winfrey calls her “Gay”. The name carries $12 million in brand value. Her professional identity is tied to CBS News.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Real Name | Gayle King |
| First Name | Gayle |
| Middle Name | None |
| Last Name | King |
| Name Origin | English |
| Legal Changes | None (kept maiden name) |
Gayle King Early Life and Education
Gayle King was born in Chevy Chase, Maryland on December 28, 1954. Her father was an electrical engineer for the military. Her mother was a homemaker and teacher. The family moved to Turkey when she was 11. She attended Ankara American High School there.
She returned to the US for college in 1972. She studied psychology at the University of Maryland. She dropped out before graduating. She took a job at a TV station instead. The university gave her an honorary degree later in 2018.
Her first media job was behind the scenes. She worked as a production assistant in Baltimore. She learned editing and script writing there. She credits her mother for career encouragement. She never needed a college degree for success.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| High School | Ankara American High School (Turkey) |
| Graduation Year | 1972 |
| College | University of Maryland |
| Major | Psychology |
| Degree | No degree (honorary in 2018) |
| First Job | Production Assistant |
Gayle King Parents and Siblings
Gayle’s father was Peggy King (actually William King Sr.). Her mother was Peggy King (same first name). Her father worked as an electrical engineer for General Electric. Her mother was a housewife and later teacher. Her parents divorced when she was young.
She has one younger sister named Gail. Their names are spelled differently by their parents. Her sister lives a private life away from media. She has no other siblings on record. Her father remarried after the divorce.
Her mother remarried too and moved to Ohio. Gayle stayed close to her mother until her death. Her mother died in 2022 at age 90. She has no relationship with her biological father. Her stepfather raised her during teenage years.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Father Name | William King Sr. (Peggy) |
| Mother Name | Peggy King |
| Father’s Job | Electrical Engineer |
| Mother’s Job | Homemaker / Teacher |
| Siblings | 1 younger sister (Gail) |
| Parents Divorce | Gayle was a teenager |
Gayle King Husband or Boyfriend
Gayle King was married to William Bumpus . The couple tied the knot in 1982 . William was a television producer and lawyer. They divorced in 1993 after 11 years of marriage.
She has not remarried after the divorce. She has no current boyfriend or partner publicly. She focuses on work and her children instead. She has dated occasionally but privately. She lives single in New York City.
She has two children from her marriage. Her daughter is Kirby Bumpus (born 1986). Her son is William Bumpus Jr. (born 1988). She has no grandchildren yet. Her ex-husband remains friendly with her. She credits him as a good father to their kids.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband Name | William Bumpus |
| Marriage Years | 1982 to 1993 |
| Marriage Length | 11 years |
| Current Status | Single (no boyfriend) |
| Children | 2 (Kirby and William Jr.) |
Gayle King Age, Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Gayle King turns 71 years old in 2026. Her birthday is December 28 every year. She looks younger than her actual age. Her smile and energy keep her looking vibrant. She maintains a healthy lifestyle and diet.
Her height is 5 feet 9 inches tall. She weighs around 68 kilograms or 150 pounds. Her body measurements are 38-32-40 inches. She wears a bra size 36C comfortably. Her dress size is US size 10. She wears shoe size 9 in US measurements.
Gayle has brown eyes and dark brown hair. She changes hair styles frequently on air. Her body type is curvy and confident. She exercises with walking and yoga. She avoids extreme weight loss diets. Her on-screen presence is energetic and warm.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Age (2026) | 71 years |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lbs) |
| Body Type | Curvy |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Shoe Size | 9 (US) |
| Dress Size | 10 (US) |
| Bra Size | 36C |
Gayle King Before Fame
Before fame, Gayle worked as a production assistant in Baltimore. She earned very little money at first. She answered phones and ran errands daily. She later became a researcher for news segments.
She moved to Kansas City in 1976. She worked at WDAF-TV as a production assistant. She slowly moved to on-air reporting roles. She covered local news and weather there. She met her ex-husband William in Kansas City.
She also worked at WFSB-TV in Hartford. She co-hosted a morning show called “People Are Talking” . She stayed there for 10 years. Her big break came in 1991. She joined Oprah’s Harpo Productions as a contributor. Oprah was her best friend since 1974.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| First TV Job | Production Assistant (Baltimore) |
| First On-Air Role | Reporter (Kansas City) |
| Early Salary | Low (under $20,000/year) |
| Breakthrough | “People Are Talking” (Hartford) |
| Oprah Connection | Met Oprah in 1974 |
| Move to National TV | 1991 (Harpo Productions) |
Gayle King Career
Gayle King’s career began at WDAF-TV in 1976. She worked as a production assistant and reporter. She moved to WFSB-TV in Hartford in 1981. She co-hosted “People Are Talking” for 10 years. The show made her a local celebrity.
She joined “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 1991. She served as a contributor and guest host. She later became editor-at-large for “O, The Oprah Magazine” . She wrote columns and conducted celebrity interviews.
Her biggest role came in 2012 at CBS News. She became co-host of “CBS This Morning” . The show was later renamed “CBS Mornings” in 2021 . She conducted the famous R. Kelly interview in 2019. She also interviewed Lisa Leslie about Kobe Bryant. Her career spans over 45 years in TV.
| Role | Network/Show | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Production Assistant | WDAF-TV Kansas City | 1976-1981 |
| Co-Host | “People Are Talking” (WFSB) | 1981-1991 |
| Contributor | “The Oprah Winfrey Show” | 1991-2011 |
| Editor-at-Large | “O, The Oprah Magazine” | 1999-Present |
| Co-Host | CBS Mornings | 2012-Present |
Gayle King Social Media Presence
Gayle King has 2 million followers on Instagram. Her handle is @gayleking. She posts interviews, friends, and family content. She often shares behind-the-scenes photos from CBS. Her Instagram stories get hundreds of thousands of views.
She has 1.5 million followers on Twitter (X) . Her handle is @GayleKing. She tweets about news, interviews, and daily life. She engages with fans and celebrities regularly. She uses Twitter for breaking news updates.
She has a Facebook page with 800,000 followers. She posts show clips and Oprah photos there. She is not active on TikTok personally. Her CBS Mornings account posts on TikTok. She has a LinkedIn profile for professional networking.
| Platform | Handle | Followers (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| @gayleking | 2 million | |
| Twitter (X) | @GayleKing | 1.5 million |
| Gayle King (official) | 800,000 | |
| TikTok | None (uses CBS account) | N/A |
| Gayle King | 50,000 |
Gayle King Net Worth and Achievements
Gayle King’s net worth in 2026 is $12 million. She earns $11 million per year from CBS. This is her highest salary ever. She also makes money from speaking engagements. She earns fees from magazine writing and radio hosting.
She won multiple Emmy Awards for her interviews. She received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in 2023. She won the NABJ Journalist of the Year in 2021. She received the Gracie Award for Outstanding Host. She has been nominated for many News Emmys.
She received an honorary doctorate from University of Maryland. She got the Lowell Thomas Award for Journalism. She was inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame in 2024. She won a Peabody Award for CBS Mornings. Her R. Kelly interview won a News Emmy.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | $12 million |
| CBS Annual Salary | $11 million |
| Emmy Awards | Multiple (News & Documentary) |
| Cronkite Award | 2023 |
| NABJ Journalist of Year | 2021 |
| NAB Hall of Fame | 2024 |
Gayle King Legacy and Impact
Gayle King changed morning television forever. She brought warmth and tough questions together. Her interview style is friendly but relentless. She asks hard questions without being mean.
Her R. Kelly interview in 2019 went viral. She made him stand up and scream on camera. The interview exposed his abuse allegations worldwide. It led to renewed legal action against him. She proved interviews can create change.
She also inspired Black women journalists everywhere. She showed you can be successful after 50. She started her biggest role at age 58. She broke age stereotypes in television. Her friendship with Oprah Winfrey is legendary. She showed women can support each other.
| Impact Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Morning TV | Warm yet tough interview style |
| Investigative Journalism | R. Kelly interview (2019) |
| Representation | Black women in news |
| Age Stereotypes | Success after 50 |
| Friendship | Supportive female relationships |
Gayle King Nationality and Religion
Gayle King holds American nationality by birth. She was born in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She is a natural-born US citizen. She has no dual citizenship with other countries. She represents American media globally.
She was raised in the Christian faith . She attended church regularly as a child. She now describes herself as spiritual more than religious. She believes in God but not organized religion.
She has never publicly endorsed a political candidate. She keeps her political views private. She believes journalists should be neutral. She does not discuss religion on air. Her faith influences her kindness. She often says “I pray daily” in interviews.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Chevy Chase, Maryland |
| Citizenship | US only |
| Religion | Christian (raised), Spiritual (current) |
| Political Affiliation | Undisclosed (keeps private) |
| Prayer Practice | Prays daily |
Gayle King Future Plans and Goals
Gayle King plans to stay at CBS Mornings indefinitely. She has no retirement plans announced. She loves her morning show routine. She wants to continue conducting big interviews.
She may write another book in the future. She published a children’s book in 2016. She could write a memoir about her friendship with Oprah. She has not confirmed any book deal.
She wants to spend more time with her children. Her daughter Kirby lives in New York City. Her son William works in Los Angeles. She travels to see them often. She also wants to travel internationally more. Her health remains excellent at 71.
| Future Plan | Target |
|---|---|
| CBS Mornings | Continue indefinitely |
| Book | Possible memoir (unconfirmed) |
| Family Time | More travel to see kids |
| Retirement | No current plans |
| Health Goals | Maintain active lifestyle |
Gayle King Awards and Achievements
Gayle King won multiple News Emmy Awards throughout her career. She received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in 2023. She won the NABJ Journalist of the Year in 2021. She received the Gracie Award for Outstanding Host in 2020.
She won a Peabody Award for CBS Mornings coverage in 2022. She received the Lowell Thomas Award for Journalism in 2019. She was inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame in 2024. She got the Al Neuharth Award for Spirit of Journalism.
She received an honorary doctorate from University of Maryland in 2018. She won the Matrix Award from New York Women in 2023. She received the Trailblazer Award from Black Women in Media. She has been nominated for 8 News Emmys overall.
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| NABJ Journalist of the Year | 2021 |
| Peabody Award (with CBS Mornings) | 2022 |
| Walter Cronkite Award | 2023 |
| Gracie Award | 2020 |
| NAB Hall of Fame | 2024 |
| Honorary Doctorate (Maryland) | 2018 |
Gayle King Category Section
Gayle King is primarily a journalist and TV talk show host. She is also an author and magazine editor. Her main category is broadcast journalism. She has worked in TV news for over 45 years.
Gayle King Interviews / TV Shows
- CBS Mornings (2012-Present) – Co-Host
- The Oprah Winfrey Show (1991-2011) – Contributor
- People Are Talking (1981-1991) – Co-Host
- Gayle King (Radio Show – SiriusXM) – Host
- Oprah’s Next Chapter (OWN) – Guest Host
- Where Is Wendy Williams? (2024) – Documentary Participant
- CBS Evening News – Fill-in Anchor
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – Guest
- The View – Guest Co-Host
- Watch What Happens Live – Guest
- Today Show – Guest Appearance
- Good Morning America – Guest Appearance
- CNN Newsroom – Guest Interview
- MSNBC Live – Guest Interview
- Entertainment Tonight – Guest Host
- The Talk – Guest Co-Host
- The Wendy Williams Show – Guest
- The Real – Guest
- Tamron Hall Show – Guest
- Sherri – Guest
Gayle King Hobbies
- Reading books (especially memoirs)
- Traveling to tropical destinations
- Cooking Italian and American food
- Spending time with Oprah Winfrey
- Watching reality TV shows
- Listening to R&B and jazz music
- Walking in Central Park daily
- Attending Broadway theater shows
- Collecting art and photography
- Hosting dinner parties for friends
Gayle King Favorite Things
- Color: Purple (like Oprah’s favorite)
- Food: Pasta and meatballs
- Drink: Chardonnay wine
- Dessert: Chocolate cake
- Singer: Aretha Franklin
- Author: Maya Angelou
- Movie: The Color Purple
- TV Show: 60 Minutes
- Vacation Spot: Italy (Tuscany)
- Podcast: On Being with Krista Tippett
Gayle King Interesting Facts
- She has been best friends with Oprah Winfrey since 1974.
- She dropped out of college but has an honorary doctorate.
- Her parents spelled her sister’s name “Gail” differently.
- She lived in Turkey as a teenager.
- She didn’t marry until age 28.
- Her ex-husband was a lawyer and TV producer.
- She interviewed R. Kelly in a famous 2019 interview.
- She cried on air after Kobe Bryant’s death.
- Her radio show was on SiriusXM for 10 years.
- She almost quit TV in her 40s.
FAQs
1. What is Gayle King’s real name?
Gayle King is her complete birth name. She has no middle name or stage name .
2. How old is Gayle King in 2026?
She is 71 years old. She was born on December 28, 1954 .
3. Is Gayle King married?
No, she is divorced from William Bumpus. She has been single since 1993 .
4. How tall is Gayle King?
She is 5 feet 9 inches tall. She weighs around 68 kilograms .
5. What is Gayle King’s net worth?
Her net worth is $12 million. She earns $11 million per year from CBS.
Conclusion
Gayle King is a 71-year-old American journalist and CBS Mornings co-host. She stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 68 kilograms. She is divorced from William Bumpus after 11 years of marriage. She has two children named Kirby and William Jr. Her net worth in 2026 is $12 million.
She has worked in TV news for over 45 years. She started as a production assistant in Baltimore. She became famous as Oprah’s best friend and contributor. Her R. Kelly interview in 2019 changed public opinion. She won multiple Emmy Awards and a Peabody.
Her legacy includes warm yet tough interview questions. She broke age and gender barriers in journalism. She continues to inspire older women to work. Her friendship with Oprah Winfrey remains legendary. She has no retirement plans anytime soon.
