Gayle King is a highly respected journalist, author, and television personality with an estimated net worth of $40 million. She has been a co-host of “CBS This Morning” since 2012 and has played a significant role as an editor at “O, The Oprah Magazine” since 1999. Over the years, she has built a distinguished career in broadcasting, earning widespread recognition for her insightful interviews and journalistic integrity.
Who is Gayle King?
Gayle King is a prominent American journalist, television personality, and author, widely recognized for her work as a co-host on CBS This Morning. Born on December 28, 1954, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, she began her career in broadcasting in the 1970s and has since become one of the most respected and influential figures in journalism. King’s early career included roles as a production assistant and news anchor at various TV stations, including WJZ-TV in Baltimore, where she worked alongside Oprah Winfrey, eventually forming a close, lifelong friendship.
In addition to her work on CBS This Morning, King has had a significant presence in other media platforms, including serving as editor-at-large at O, The Oprah Magazine and hosting The Gayle King Show on XM Satellite Radio and OWN. Her career has been marked by insightful interviews with high-profile figures and a reputation for tackling tough subjects with integrity and compassion.
King’s contributions to the media have earned her numerous awards, including three Emmy Awards, a Gracie Award, and recognition from Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Her net worth is estimated at $40 million, a reflection of her successful career in journalism. Gayle King is also known for her advocacy for transparency in media and her efforts to address workplace misconduct.
Gayle King Net Worth
Gayle King has an estimated net worth of around $40 million, a reflection of her successful and enduring career in the media industry. As a highly respected journalist, television personality, and author, King has built substantial wealth over the years. She has served as a co-host of CBS This Morning since 2012, where her insightful interviews and journalistic integrity have earned her widespread acclaim. Additionally, King has played a key role as an editor at O, The Oprah Magazine since 1999, further solidifying her position in the media world. Her impressive net worth is also the result of several lucrative contracts, including her successful negotiations with CBS, where she secured an annual salary increase to at least $11 million in 2019. This combination of salary, investments, and career longevity has contributed to her status as one of the most financially successful figures in broadcast journalism.

Salary at CBS
Between 2014 and 2019, Gayle King earned approximately $5.5 million annually from CBS, bringing her total earnings to around $30 million during that period. In 2019, she successfully negotiated a new contract, increasing her annual salary to at least $11 million.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 28, 1954, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Gayle King experienced a unique upbringing that took her beyond the United States. Due to her father’s work as an electrical engineer, her family relocated to Turkey, where she spent a portion of her childhood. Living abroad provided her with a broad perspective on different cultures and experiences, shaping her worldview from an early age.
Upon returning to the United States, King pursued higher education at the University of Maryland, where she studied psychology and sociology. She graduated in 1976 with degrees in both fields, demonstrating her early interest in understanding human behavior and societal structures. During her time in college, she developed a growing passion for journalism. She took on a position at WTOP-TV, a Washington, D.C.-based news station, where she gained hands-on experience in the field of broadcasting.

Her work at WTOP-TV provided her with a strong foundation in journalism, and it wasn’t long before she took the next step in her career. She secured a role as a production assistant at WJZ-TV in Baltimore, where she worked alongside notable figures, including a young Oprah Winfrey, who was a news anchor at the time. This experience proved to be pivotal in King’s career, not only setting the stage for her future in television but also sparking a lifelong friendship with Winfrey.
Wiki
Category | Details |
Full Name | Gayle King |
Date of Birth | December 28, 1954 |
Place of Birth | Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA |
Education | University of Maryland (Degrees in Psychology & Sociology, 1976) |
Early Life | Spent part of childhood in Turkey due to father’s job as an electrical engineer |
gayle king Net Worth | Estimated $40 million |
Salary at CBS | $5.5 million annually (2014-2019); Negotiated to at least $11 million in 2019 |
Career Start | Production assistant at WJZ-TV, Baltim |
Career Highlights
King’s journalism career took off when she joined WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1981. She dedicated 18 years to the network as a news anchor. Over time, she expanded her career by contributing to “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” where she appeared 141 times. She also hosted multiple iterations of “The Gayle King Show” on different platforms, including XM Satellite Radio and OWN.
Since joining “CBS This Morning,” she has anchored alongside several notable journalists, including Charlie Rose, Erica Hill, Norah O’Donnell, and John Dickerson. Her compelling interviews, such as the widely discussed conversation with R. Kelly in 2019, have solidified her reputation as one of the most trusted journalists in the industry.
Other Media Contributions
In addition to her work on television, King has contributed as a special correspondent for “Good Morning America” and co-hosted “Oprah and Friends” on XM Satellite Radio. She has also used her platform to advocate for transparency in media organizations, notably addressing workplace misconduct at CBS.

Personal Life
Gayle King was married to attorney Bill Bumpus in 1982, a union that lasted until 1993. Their marriage, though brief, was a significant chapter in her personal life. Together, they had two children: a daughter, Kirby, born in 1986, and a son, William Jr., born in 1987. Both children have been a central part of King’s life, and she has spoken fondly of her role as a mother, balancing her high-profile career with family life. Although Gayle and Bill Bumpus eventually divorced, they have maintained an amicable relationship, and King has consistently emphasized the importance of co-parenting their children.
In addition to her family life, Gayle King is widely recognized for her longstanding and close friendship with Oprah Winfrey. Their bond began in 1976 when both women were working at WJZ-TV in Baltimore. At the time, Winfrey was a news anchor, and King was just beginning her journalism career as a production assistant. Their shared experiences in the industry helped solidify a deep and lasting friendship that has endured for decades.

Over the years, Oprah and Gayle’s friendship has become one of the most iconic and well-known partnerships in media, with both women supporting each other through their personal and professional journeys. Their friendship has often been described as one of mutual respect, love, and unwavering support, with Gayle frequently appearing on Oprah’s shows and vice versa. Their relationship has also become a symbol of empowering women to lift each other up, with both women openly discussing the importance of their friendship in interviews and public appearances.
Awards and Recognition
Gayle King’s exceptional contributions to journalism and broadcasting have earned her numerous accolades, underscoring her significant impact on the media industry. Her career has been marked by a commitment to journalistic integrity, insightful interviews, and an ability to connect with her audience, which has been widely recognized through a variety of prestigious awards.
One of King’s most notable accomplishments came in the form of three Emmy Awards, which honored her exceptional work in the field of broadcast journalism. These accolades are a testament to her skill as an interviewer, her ability to tackle tough topics with grace, and her significant role in shaping the conversation around important issues. Her Emmy wins also highlight her consistent dedication to high-quality journalism throughout her career.
In 2008, King was awarded the Gracie Award for Outstanding Radio Talk Show for her work on The Gayle King Show, which aired on XM Satellite Radio. The Gracie Awards, which recognize exemplary programming created by, for, and about women, acknowledged her contributions to the radio landscape and her ability to engage listeners on important cultural and societal topics. This recognition was a milestone in her career, marking her as a standout voice in both television and radio broadcasting.
In 2010, King received the Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications, which celebrates women who have achieved outstanding success in communications fields. This award further solidified her place among the top journalists and media professionals, acknowledging her accomplishments and influence in an industry where few women have reached the same level of recognition.
Real Estate Portfolio
In 2008, Gayle King purchased a luxurious penthouse in Manhattan valued at $7 million. The 2,500-square-foot residence features a wraparound terrace and multiple fireplaces. That same year, her Greenwich, Connecticut, home was listed for nearly $7.5 million, a property she initially bought for $3.6 million in 2000.
Through decades of hard work and dedication, Gayle King has established herself as a powerhouse in the media industry, earning both financial success and professional accolades.
FAQS
Q: Who is Gayle King?
A: Gayle King is an American journalist, television personality, and author, best known for co-hosting CBS This Morning and her long-standing friendship with Oprah Winfrey.
Q: What is Gayle King net worth?
A: Gayle King has an estimated net worth of $40 million, accumulated through her career in television, radio, and as an editor at O, The Oprah Magazine.
Q: What awards has Gayle King won?
A: Gayle King has won multiple awards, including three Emmy Awards, a Gracie Award for Outstanding Radio Talk Show, and recognition as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2019.
Q: Who is Gayle King married to?
A: Gayle King was married to attorney Bill Bumpus from 1982 to 1993. They have two children: Kirby and William Jr.
Q: What is Gayle King’s role at CBS?
A: Gayle King has been a co-host of CBS This Morning since 2012, where she is known for her insightful interviews and journalism.
Conclusion
Gayle King has established herself as a leading figure in journalism and broadcasting, with a career spanning decades of impactful work in television, radio, and print. Her reputation as a respected interviewer, coupled with her insightful and compassionate approach to journalism, has earned her numerous awards and accolades. Beyond her professional success, Gayle King is also known for her close friendship with Oprah Winfrey, which has further cemented her status as an influential figure in both media and culture. With a net worth of $40 million, Gayle King’s legacy is one of hard work, dedication, and integrity, making her one of the most respected and influential women in journalism today.
Be in the know! Get alerts and stay updated. 24 Business Time