Gayle King Reveals How She Caught Her Ex-Husband Cheating

Gayle King is opening up about one of the most painful chapters of her personal life, revealing in a new interview that she once caught her then-husband, William Bumpus, cheating with one of her friends. Speaking on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast with Alex Cooper on May 27, the “CBS Mornings” host said she did not initially suspect infidelity, even though she sensed something unusual in the relationship. King recalled that her instincts began to change after noticing an unexpected intimacy in the way her friend spoke to Bumpus, including a moment when she thought she saw the two exchanging a look that felt too familiar. At the time, the woman was also married and had children whose friends overlapped with King’s family, making the betrayal feel even more personal.

King said that when she confronted the situation, Bumpus tried to dismiss her concerns and make her doubt what she had seen. She described the experience as an example of gaslighting, saying she tried to convince herself she was overreacting despite having a strong physical reaction to what she believed was happening. She also referenced advice she had once heard from Oprah Winfrey about how people can receive warning signs of serious relationship problems in different ways. In her case, she said, the truth became undeniable when she came home unexpectedly and caught them herself. King explained that her flight had been delayed or canceled, and because she had not called ahead, she returned earlier than planned. When she arrived, she noticed the home alarm had been set in a way that was unusual for Bumpus, who she said normally did not use it. She then saw him rush out of a room wearing only a towel and telling her she could not come in. Moments later, she discovered her friend, whom she identified as Casey for the interview, hiding behind a door and wearing one of her towels. King’s account drew strong reactions from viewers, many of whom said they appreciated her honesty and vulnerability. Some said the interview gave them a more authentic view of the television host, while others shared that they related to her experience as survivors of infidelity.

The interview also comes as King continues to make major career moves. Earlier this year, she renewed her CBS contract after speculation that she might leave “CBS Mornings” when her deal was set to expire in May 2026. Reuters reported that she signed a new agreement in March, extending her role at the network and adding primetime specials to her responsibilities. Her previous contract was reported at $15 million. Beyond television, King has also taken on a Broadway role, joining the rotating cast of “Celebrity Autobiography” at the Shubert Theatre, where performers read excerpts from celebrity memoirs. The show opened on May 18.