CBS Mornings anchor Gayle King is putting rumors to rest about whether she recently got engaged — or married — in secret.
“Been getting a lot of texts, a lot of messages, stories online that I got engaged,” King, 70, said on the Friday, October 31, news broadcast. “Take a look at me with a big ring on my finger. There’s a lucky man — I have no idea who he is.”
A flurry of images of King posing with a diamond ring on that finger recently circulated on social media, though the legendary TV journalist explained that the images aren’t even real.
“These AI-generated images have been making their way across the internet,” King explained. “So, I’m here to say exclusively on CBS Mornings, I’m not married, not even engaged.”
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The photos had even fooled several of King’s friends, who subsequently sent her a handful of congratulatory messages about her apparent nuptials.
“People have been saying, ‘Congratulations,’ ‘Love really happened to you,’ ‘I’m so happy for you.’ That isn’t me,” she quipped. “Even I looked at it and [asked], ‘Is that me?’”
One of the AI-generated stories further claimed that King had found love with a prominent businessman.
“Where is he? I would like to see you, sir! Show yourself,” she joked on Friday, reading aloud the story. “‘Known for his philanthropic efforts and his low-profile lifestyle, the revelation has been a new layer of intrigue to the story, meaning we’re curious about who this lucky partner is.’ He’s so lucky, even my kids said, ‘Mom, who is this?’ Well, I have no idea!”
King further stressed that she’s still single, adding that any eligible bachelors “still have a shot” to win her heart.
“For all you guys watching, go ahead and shoot your shot,” cohost Nate Burleson added. “She’s still single.”
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King was previously married to attorney William Bumpus from 1982 to 1993, during which they welcomed two children.
“They were 4 and 5 at the time,” King said of her divorce on a 2024 episode of “The Pivot” podcast. “I have never been an, ‘Oh, woe is me, person.’ I say you can have a brief period of bereavement when bad stuff happens but then you have to carry on. Whenever stuff happens and doesn’t go my way, I just figure out how I can fix it now.”
After King and Bumpus’ divorce, she nearly planned to move to Chicago for a new job.
“I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a great opportunity.’ I was ready to pick up the kids and move, [but] my ex was very opposed to it,” she said. “As much as I wanted that job, it was very important to me that [my kids] have a good relationship with [their father]. I don’t think he was a great husband … but I thought it was important for them to have a relationship with their dad.”
According to King, Bumpus also wanted to be present in their children’s lives.
“Once it is an issue, you have to balance what’s most important to you,” King explained. “I don’t care how successful you are, if your kids aren’t happy and healthy and adjusted. All this success means nothing, so I wanted them … to have a relationship with [my ex-husband].”
