CBS This Morning host Gayle King appeared to come out as gay during a segment on the show on October 8. This apparent slip of the tongue comes amid years of allegations about her personal life since her divorce from a cheating husband in 1993. Many of the allegations about her sexuality appear to center around Gayle’s close friendship with Oprah.
Here’s what we know so far:
1. She Appeared to Say ‘I’m Gay’ On Air
(Screengrab via CBS)
It isn’t clear if she’s joking when she says what clearly sounds like “I’m gay.” The conversation on the show was about finding a suitable partner with co-hosts Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell. When Gayle jokes with Rose about being couple, she appears to say “I’m just kidding. I’m gay.”
2. CBS Says She’s Not Gay
Gayle says she was just stuttering after saying “I’m just kidding…” and that it didn’t mean anything. CBS is officially saying that she’s straight and TMZ reports a spokesperson saying that if Gayle was gay, she would have come out years ago.
3. King Divorced Her Husband in 1993 Due to His Cheating
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King has been divorced since 1993. She married lawyer, Bill Bumpus, in 1982. The couple have a son, William, and daughter, Kirby, together. In a dramatic 2006 interview, King announced that the marriage fell apart because Bumpus was a cheater.
4. Oprah’s Stepmother Thinks Gayle & Winfrey Are a Couple
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In a bizarre interview in April 2014, Oprah Winfrey’s stepmother, Barbara Winfrey, insinuated that Oprah and Gayle were lesbian lovers.
5. She’s Been Linked to Cory Booker in the Past
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In 2013, it had been rumored that Gayle was dating New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, a man who dealt with his own sexuality allegations.
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Gayle King ‘Gay’: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know