Gayle King wasn’t prepared for what hit her inbox. After revisiting one of the most painful chapters of her personal life on a recent podcast, the veteran broadcaster found out her ex-husband had issued a public statement in response — without giving her so much as a heads-up.
“I was very, very surprised,” King told TMZ. “He didn’t say anything to me about it, so I was surprised, but I’m very appreciative.”
What Sparked the Response
The saga began when King appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast and opened up about discovering her then-husband, William Bumpus, with another woman inside their own home — a betrayal that ultimately ended their 11-year marriage. King and Bumpus had wed in 1982 and divorced in 1993, raising two children together: daughter Kirby and son William Bumpus Jr.
The candid retelling made headlines, and Bumpus chose to respond publicly rather than stay silent.
Gayle King tells Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper about the moment she CAUGHT her husband cheating with one of her best friends after coming home unannounced 😳👀 pic.twitter.com/AXVwkyjdkj
— Killa 🌺 (@KillaKreww) May 27, 2026
Bumpus Steps Up And Takes Ownership
In his statement, Bumpus didn’t deflect or minimize. He acknowledged the damage directly, saying, “Those actions were mine. I have long owned them,” and affirming that King had every right to speak about events that profoundly shaped her life and family. He extended his “deepest apologies” to King, their children, and their grandchildren for the pain he caused decades ago.
It wasn’t the first time he’d addressed it. Back in 2016, after King first publicly referenced the affair, Bumpus issued a similar statement, calling the decision a “life-altering choice” that haunted him for years while praising King as a devoted mother and co-parent.
Why the Apology Still Hit Differently
Despite the history, King says this latest gesture carried real weight — precisely because Bumpus rarely speaks publicly about their relationship at all.
“I appreciate it, because listen, that was a very painful time,” she said. “Anybody that’s been through it knows how painful it is.”
King added that enough time has passed for both of them to find healing, which is why she now feels comfortable discussing it openly.
The Clue She Laughed Off — Until Now
The renewed attention on their marriage also follows a lighter revelation King shared earlier this month on CBS Mornings: that Bumpus once pressured her into giving up a beloved dog because he disliked animals. Looking back, King joked that the whole situation “should have been a clue” — though she admitted she’s still “a little bitter” about losing the pup.
From the dog to the affair, King has made clear that while the past was painful, she’s arrived at a place of peace — and apparently, so has Bumpus.
