Renowned CBS Mornings co-anchor Gayle King tied the knot with William Bumpus in 1982 and their marriage lasted until 1993, during which they welcomed two children.
Their son, William Bumpus Jr., has been making a name for himself in communities of color, sparking curiosity among many about his accomplishments and background.
Who is Gayle King’s son, William Bumpus Jr.?
William Bumpus Jr. was born on April 28, 1987, in Greenwich, Connecticut. He attended Duke University for his bachelor’s degree and later pursued his master’s degree at Stanford University.
After completing his education, William founded reWerk, an organization dedicated to providing more equitable opportunities for students and communities of color, as stated on their website.
William plays a key role in managing the business operations of reWerk and connecting with partners and companies to support the organization’s mission.
Aside from his entrepreneurial endeavors, William is also a partner at Concrete Rose Capital, focusing on bridging the racial wealth gap.
Who is William Bumpus Jr. engaged to?
In February 2024, Gayle King announced that her son, William Bumpus Jr., had gotten engaged to his long-term girlfriend, Elise Smith.
The proposal, orchestrated with the help of Oprah Winfrey, was documented by Gayle King with behind-the-scenes shots revealing the heartfelt moment.
Elise, who received her master’s degree from Stanford University, previously worked at IMB Watson and now heads the Diverse Leaders Team at NewSchools Venture Fund.
Since November 2018, Elise has been the co-founder and CEO of Praxis Labs, a company dedicated to diversifying businesses and creating impactful learning experiences, as detailed on their website.
In her own words, Elise expressed, “My parents’ fight for educational equity is what has inspired me to fight for access and opportunity. Our systems and structures should allow us all to thrive in our workplaces and in the places we frequent everyday — that’s why I do this work.”
What has Gayle King said about her “favorite son”?
Gayle King took to Instagram to share her excitement about her son’s engagement, referring to William Bumpus Jr. as her “favorite son.”
The CBS Mornings co-anchor expressed her joy at gaining a future daughter-in-law in Elise Smith, with behind-the-scenes photos showcasing the heartfelt proposal.
This celebratory occasion adds to the wedding milestones in Gayle’s family, as her daughter, Kirby, also got married in December 2020.
