Famous Families
Gayle King Is Thrilled to Be a Grandma! Meet the TV Host’s Daughter Kirby and Son William
News anchor Gayle King is one dedicated mama! She shares her two kids — Kirby Bumpus and William Bumpus Jr. — with ex-husband William Bumpus, and they always know how to make her laugh. As much as the TV star adores being a mom, Gayle has been dreaming about the moment when her children will make her grandma.
Fortunately for Gayle, that day is finally here as her daughter, Kirby, welcomed her first child, a baby boy, in September 2021. The proud grandmother shared the exciting news during an episode of CBS This Morning, saying she’s “over the moon” about becoming a grandparent. “He’s very, very cute, so congratulations to my favorite daughter, my favorite son-in-law. Now I have a favorite grandson!” she gushed.
The news of Kirby’s little bundle of joy comes five months after the This Morning host revealed her daughter was expecting during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “We haven’t told anybody … because I’ve been held to secrecy,” the doting mom said in April. “Ellen, I’m gonna be a grandmother, and I can’t wait!”
As fans know, Gayle has been preparing for her role as a grandma for years now. The Color Purple actress was hoping grandparenthood was around the corner when her daughter announced her engagement to then-fiancé Virgil Miller in February 2019.
“Kirby doesn’t want to hear it, as she said to me the other day,” Gayle shared with People. “I said, ‘Kirby, I thought of another great baby name. Do you like the name Chandler? What about Eden?’ I’m trying to get names that could go with either males or females. ‘What about Remington?’”
At the time, however, Gayle’s plan didn’t work. Her daughter, who married her now-husband in December 2020, quickly caught on to what the CBS star was trying to do. “She goes, ‘Mom, my womb is empty and I would just like to plan the wedding,’” Gayle quipped.
While Kirby is now adjusting to life as a mom of one, the TV personality’s other kid, William, is keeping himself busy with work, friends and family. In April 2021, Gayle proved how much she cherishes her young man by uploading a touching tribute for his birthday.
“Do you know what you were doing at 1:50 p.m. [on] April 28, 1987?” she penned alongside a collage of photos. “I was having my FAVORITE son Will! Swipe left for @willgb3 through the years and Will today.”
Keep scrolling to learn more about Gayle’s children!
