Very few broadcast journalists are as recognizable as Gayle King.
All that, and she’s also a dedicated mother.
In 1986, King alongsideher ex-husband William Bumpus brought her daughter, Kirby Bumpus, into the world.
In 1987, she gave birth to her second child, William Bumpus Jr.
But being a mom isn’t always easy for the veteran reporter.
And yet, despite not wanting to be a stay-at-home mom, she enjoys the process.
“I loved every single stage,” she toldDrew Barrymore in 2020.
“And still do … still do.”
Here’s what makes King’s close-knit relationship with her “favorite” kids so special.
This prompted Gayle King to tell everyone about her daughter’s engagement onInstagram.
Kirby even left some of the wedding planning up to her mother.
King, however, couldn’t stop herself from immediately thinking about grandkids.
“I said, ‘Give me a freakin’ date so I can start working on this!”
However, while the ceremony didn’t go as planned, King couldn’t contain her excitement.
“The day was gorgeous and so was Kirby!”
“I call that perfection …
Anybody have tips on being a good mother-in-law??
I’m all ears and taking notes!”
Though William managed to avoid police violence, Floyd’s death renewed her fears.
King publicly expressed her concerns for her son during a2020 interview with ET’s Kevin Frazier.
“You know what it’s like to have a black son,” she said.
You know, because I think everybody is on such a hair trigger these days."
In an interview withOprah Daily, Kirby suggested that the baby shower was more than successful.
“I was holding him, Kirby goes, ‘You know, you have to support his neck.’
I actually know how to do this!”
Notably, the pictures match a photo of King, her mother, Peggy King, and baby Kirby.
Everything is identical, from the women’s poses to their orange and off-white ensembles.
“Tradition continues w/fav daughter & her FIANCE!
happy birthday to WILL!!”
“I can’t tell you what it means to me.”
Naturally, Kirby Bumpus and William Bumpus Jr. also attended the ceremony.
This, of course, included her children.
“‘Bout last nite .. yep this really happened induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame!”
On one hand, it’s nice to be able to provide for your children.
In 2020, King sat with her long-time friend during Winfrey’sVision Tourto discuss topics ranging from divorce to parenthood.
Winfrey insisted that Kirby’s apologetic attitude was enough to earn forgiveness.
King, however, thought otherwise.
She has to take responsibility for her actions.
So I’m not blaming your son,'" King said.
“‘But, what I do know is that my daughter would have never done that.
She would never have behaved that way.
So I’m asking you to support me.
Kelly denied that he was responsible for sexual abuse, but King continued to push.
While other platforms poked fun at R. Kelly’s outburst, CBS called his actions “unhinged.”
Colbert asked if her family checked on her after the interview, and she responded, “Oh yeah.
I guess when you look at that picture, it is very menacing.”
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available.
After all, it wasn’t as if Kirby had a long history of breaking her mother’s rules.
Eventually, the discussion came around to how the two taught their children to strive for excellence.
According to Obama, one way of doing this is to teach them to be punctual.
King agreed, then shared how she imparted this lesson to both of her kids.
That sounds traumatic, but King insists that she does not have any hatred toward her ex-husband.
I went to marital counseling.
I have been divorced since 1993, so I’m all healed and everything.
I have worked it out.
I’m not bitter.
I’m really okay.”
King explained why during her appearance on"The Drew Barrymore Show"in 2021.
“Listen, I never said anything disparaging about their dad to the children.
I would just tell my friends … and my mom,” she said.
