Summary (tl;dr)

William Bumpus, the ex-husband of Gayle King, is trending following his complimentary remarks about King's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover and renewed public interest stemming from King's recent detailed account on a podcast of catching him cheating with her best friend.

Essential Background

William Bumpus was married to prominent journalist and television personality Gayle King from 1982 to 1993. Their marriage ultimately ended due to Bumpus's infidelity, a topic King has discussed publicly over the years. Despite the circumstances of their divorce, King and Bumpus have maintained a cordial co-parenting relationship for their two adult children, Kirby and William Jr. Bumpus, a lawyer, has generally remained out of the public eye since their split.

The Full Story

William Bumpus is currently trending for two interwoven reasons related to his ex-wife, Gayle King. In May 2024, Bumpus garnered attention for publicly praising King's appearance on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover, issuing a statement that humorously referred to fulfilling a "teenage fantasy" and expressing pride in her accomplishments and their family. This came after King herself had lightheartedly speculated on Entertainment Tonight about his reaction and her intention to send him a copy of the magazine. More recently, on May 27, 2026, King provided a vivid and detailed account of the painful experience of discovering Bumpus's affair with her then-best friend during an interview on the "Call Her Daddy Podcast". She described returning home early to find Bumpus and her friend, both wrapped in towels, in their marital home, a revelation that has reignited public discussion about their past and the identity of the friend involved.

Why It Matters

These trending keywords reflect a keen public interest in the personal lives of celebrities, especially when details of past relationships and their complexities resurface. Bumpus's supportive comments about King's magazine cover present an image of amicable post-divorce relations and successful co-parenting despite past difficulties. However, King's candid and detailed retelling of the infidelity on a widely listened-to podcast provides a raw and relatable perspective on betrayal, reigniting discussions about trust, forgiveness, and the enduring impact of such personal events on public figures. The dual narrative highlights the multifaceted nature of celebrity relationships and how past private lives can continue to capture public attention through new media platforms.

Geographic Location

None