As the beloved co-host of CBS This Morning, Gayle King has won over viewers with her wit, wisdom, and warmth. But behind the scenes, she‘s weathered her fair share of romantic ups and downs. Join me as we take a friendship-filled journey through Gayle‘s relationship history and uncover who her partner is today. Grab some coffee, get cozy, and let‘s dive in!
A Look Back: Gayle‘s First Marriage to William Bumpus
Gayle‘s first brush with matrimony was in 1982 when she tied the knot with William Bumpus, a handsome attorney and law professor. As a starry-eyed newlywed, Gayle imagined a blissful future with her handsome hubby.
The couple welcomed two children – a son named William Jr. and daughter Kirby. But sadly, wedded bliss eluded Gayle and William. After 11 years of marriage, they made the tough decision to divorce in 1993.
In the aftermath, Gayle gained joint custody of their children and remained friendly with William as they coparented. She later called him "a great dad" and said ending the marriage was "the right thing to do."
Though the split was painful, Gayle emerged stronger – with a new perspective on love and partnership.
By the Numbers: Gayle King‘s First Marriage
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Years married: 1982 – 1993 (11 years)
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Children from marriage: Son William Jr. and daughter Kirby
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Current status: Divorced since 1993, friendly as coparents
The On-Again, Off-Again Romance with Stedman Graham
After bidding farewell to married life, Gayle soon found romance again with businessman Stedman Graham. Sparks flew when they met at a charity event in 1993, quickly blossoming into a passionate love affair.
For nearly 20 years, Gayle and Stedman embarked on an on-again, off-again rollercoaster ride of a relationship. They weathered breathless highs and bitter lows during their time together.
According to Gayle, she and Stedman cared for each other deeply but struggled to align their futures. Though they discussed marriage, they could never fully commit.
In 2013, Gayle and Stedman finally called it quits for good. But there were no hard feelings between the two, who remain friends to this day.
Looking back, Gayle considers her time with Stedman an invaluable learning experience about compromise, communication, and embracing imperfections in a partner.
The Gayle-Stedman Relationship Timeline
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1993: Gayle and Stedman meet at a charity event, launching their romance
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1994-2006: The couple date on and off, nearly getting married
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2006-2013: After reuniting, Gayle and Stedman date 7 more years
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2013: Gayle and Stedman split for good but stay friends
A Brief Romance with Charlie Hopson
During one of her off-periods from Stedman in the late ‘90s, Gayle had a fleeting romance with Connecticut State Trooper, Charlie Hopson. The relationship only lasted a few months but made headlines due to Charlie‘s profession.
Gayle even invited Charlie as her date to President Bill Clinton‘s inauguration in 1997. But soon after, the sparks fizzled out between the mismatched pair.
Years later, Gayle fondly described Charlie as a "lovely guy" but admitted their goals were incompatible long-term. While the fling was fun, her heart still yearned for Stedman.
Gayle and Charlie‘s Relationship by the Numbers
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Year they dated: Late 1990s
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Length of relationship: A few months
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Notable moments: Attending Clinton‘s 1997 inauguration
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Status: Briefly dated, split amicably
Rumored Romance with Kidada Jones
In 2016, gossip sites were abuzz with rumors that Gayle was dating actress Kidada Jones, daughter of music legend Quincy Jones. The speculation began when they were spotted together at a birthday party in New York.
But the rumors proved false – both Gayle and Kidada staunchly denied any romance. They insisted they were just friends who met through mutual celebrity pals.
The media kept speculating, even claiming Oprah felt "betrayed" by the alleged relationship. But Gayle shut down the gossip saying, "I‘m telling you, NOT TRUE AT ALL."
In the end, it was just another celebrity rumor gone viral. Gayle and Kidada‘s "relationship" never made it past the rumor mill.
Fact vs. Fiction: Gayle and Kidada
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Rumor started: 2016
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Reason for rumors: Spotted together at a birthday party
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Claim by both women: They‘re just friends
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Truth: No romantic relationship existed
Finding Long-Term Love with Mark L. King
After her string of misfires in the ‘90s and 2000s, Gayle was ready for a partner who brought real depth and substance to her life. And she found exactly that in New York investor Mark L. King.
The two met around 2005 through mutual high-society friends and felt an instant connection. What began as friendship blossomed into romance by 2007.
Unlike Gayle‘s past showbiz relationships, Mark lived entirely outside the media spotlight. He was a refreshing change for Gayle.
Together they enjoyed cultural events, philanthropic galas, and spending time with both their families. Though Mark maintained privacy, he brought Gayle true joy.
In 2022, they celebrated over 15 years as a strong, stable couple – a milestone Gayle had never reached before. They may not be married, but Mark is undoubtedly Gayle‘s rock and current partner.
Through many ups and downs, Gayle finally found Mr. Right in unassuming Mark L. King.
The Relationship by the Numbers:
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Year they began dating: Around 2005-2007
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Length of relationship: 15+ years and counting
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Status: Unmarried but in long-term committed relationship
The Unbreakable Bond with Bestie Oprah
Throughout all her romantic twists and turns, Gayle‘s built-to-last bond with Oprah has never wavered. The two first met in 1976 when Gayle was a young reporter and have been soul sisters ever since.
When Gayle‘s marriages and affairs made headlines, Oprah was always the first to have her back. They‘ve vacationed together, consoled each other through heartbreaks, and given the best advice.
Gayle said it best:
“One of the great joys of my life is that I get to have a front row seat to witness the legendary life of my best friend Oprah."
No matter who Gayle dates, Oprah remains her number one relationship priority. Now that‘s a true blue BFF!
The Key Takeaways on Gayle‘s Relationship Timeline
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Married William Bumpus 1982-1993, 2 kids together
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Dated on-off with Stedman Graham 1993-2013
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Brief romance with Charlie Hopson in late ‘90s
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Rumored 2016 relationship with Kidada Jones untrue
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Currently in 15+ year relationship with Mark L. King
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Lifelong best friends with Oprah Winfrey
So there you have it, friend! We‘ve walked through Gayle King‘s winding romantic past and present. It‘s been a journey – but today she‘s found stability with Mark while keeping Oprah in her corner. Gayle sure does know a thing or two about handling relationships in and out of the spotlight with grace and class. Thanks for joining me on this stroll down Gayle‘s memory lane!
