June Baranco is a name that frequently appears alongside legendary television journalist Bryant Gumbel. However, her story extends far beyond her marriage to the famous broadcaster. She is an accomplished artist, a devoted mother, and an entrepreneur who rebuilt her life on her own terms after a very public divorce.
June Baranco is best known as Bryant Gumbel’s first wife, but she is also a talented painter and milliner in her own right. Her journey from Baton Rouge to the Upper East Side, and through the challenges of a high-profile divorce, reveals a woman of resilience and quiet strength. This article explores her life, career, family, and how she found purpose and peace after her marriage ended.
June Baranco Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | June Carlyn Baranco |
| Birth Date | June 22, 1948 |
| Birthplace | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Education | Bachelor of Fine Arts (LSU), advanced art studies |
| Profession | Fine Artist, Designer, Milliner (Hat Designer) |
| Spouse | Bryant Gumbel (m. 1973–div. 2001) |
| Children | Bradley and Jillian |
| Known For | Former wife of Bryant Gumbel; Fine Artist; Founder of Geaux Chapeaux |
| Current Residence | New York area |
| Art Affiliations | Salmagundi Club, Portrait Society of America |
Who Is June Baranco?
June Baranco is an American fine artist, milliner, and former wife of journalist Bryant Gumbel. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she grew up with a strong appreciation for art and culture. Many know her primarily through her former marriage, but her life is defined by her quiet strength and creative work. She has been described as the quiet strength behind a stormy marriage, a woman who maintained her dignity while her husband’s fame soared.
For years, June was a supportive spouse to Bryant Gumbel, who became a household name as co-host of NBC’s Today show and later on HBO’s Real Sports. While Bryant was in the public eye, she chose to focus on raising their children and keeping a low profile. After their divorce, she stepped back into the spotlight on her own terms, building a career as an artist. Her journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.
June Baranco’s Early Life, Education and Background
June Baranco grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in an environment rich with culture and tradition. The colors, textures, and artistic traditions of the American South left a deep impression on her from an early age . She showed a natural talent for drawing and design, often expressing herself visually before she could fully articulate her ideas in words.
Her family emphasized the importance of education, which became a cornerstone of her development. This foundation led her to pursue formal training in the arts, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University. Her education did not stop there; she continued to refine her craft at respected institutions in New York and California, studying oil painting, pastel, watercolor, and printmaking . This diverse training gave her the versatility she would later use in her career as a professional artist and entrepreneur.
How June Baranco Met Bryant Gumbel
June Baranco met Bryant Gumbel in the late 1960s through a mutual connection. The introduction came via a friend who was dating Bryant’s brother, Greg Gumbel . At the time, Bryant was an ambitious young journalist on the rise, and June was working as a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines.
Their connection was immediate, and their relationship blossomed from that first meeting. After a few years of dating, the couple decided to tie the knot. They walked down the aisle on December 1, 1973, beginning a 28-year journey as husband and wife . This period marked the start of a life that would soon place them in the national spotlight as Bryant’s career in broadcast journalism took off.
June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel’s Marriage
June and Bryant Gumbel were married for 28 years, a period during which Bryant’s career skyrocketed. As he became a co-host on NBC’s Today show and later moved on to other prominent roles, June managed much of the home life. She often put her own professional ambitions on hold to provide a stable household for their family and support her husband’s demanding career.
Despite the outward appearance of a successful life, the marriage faced significant challenges. Behind closed doors, June endured infidelity and periods of emotional distance. One particularly painful moment came when she discovered love letters from other women, a betrayal she described as feeling like being “shot through the heart” . Despite these hardships, she remained committed to her family, showing the quiet strength she would become known for.
Their Two Children and Family Life
June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel had two children together. Their son, Bradley Christopher Gumbel, was born in 1978, and their daughter, Jillian Beth Gumbel, was born in 1984 . As a mother, June was dedicated to protecting her children from the public eye, raising them with strong values and a focus on education.
Her role as a mother remained the most important part of her life. She provided a stable and loving home, even while navigating the challenges of a difficult marriage . Both of her children have grown into private, grounded adults. Jillian is married and has children, while Bradley has also maintained a private life away from public scrutiny . June’s children remain a central part of her life to this day.
Why Did June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel Divorce?
The divorce of June and Bryant Gumbel was a bitter and highly publicized affair that captured media attention across the country. The marriage, which had lasted nearly three decades, officially ended in divorce in 2001. The primary reason cited in court was Bryant Gumbel’s alleged adultery.
June accused Bryant of being a “serial adulterer,” a claim that became central to the divorce proceedings . The final straw came when Bryant moved in with another woman, Hilary Quinlan. The couple had separated in 1997, but the legal battle over the divorce dragged on for four years before being finalized . Throughout this difficult period, June remained firm in her pursuit of fairness and closure.
What Did June Baranco Do After the Divorce?
After her divorce, June Baranco intentionally stepped away from public attention and focused on rebuilding her life. The divorce settlement awarded her half of Bryant’s estimated $20 million fortune, which gave her financial independence and allowed her to pursue her passions . She found healing and renewal through her art, returning to painting full-time to express her experiences and emotions.
She also poured her creative energy into a new entrepreneurial venture. In 2011, while preparing for her daughter’s wedding, she designed her own hat when she could not find one she liked . This led to the creation of Geaux Chapeaux, her handcrafted hat brand. The name, which incorporates the Louisiana Creole word “Geaux,” reflects her cultural heritage and personal touch . Through her art and business, June reclaimed her identity and proved that reinvention is possible at any stage of life.
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June Baranco’s Career as an Artist and Milliner
June Baranco’s professional career has been rooted in her lifelong passion for art. She is a trained visual artist who works in multiple mediums, including oil painting, pastel, watercolor, and printmaking . Her work is characterized by realism infused with emotional depth, often focusing on human presence, subtle expression, and cultural identity.
She is also an active member of several prestigious art organizations, including the Salmagundi Club, the Portrait Society of America, and the Artist Fellowship of New York . Through these organizations, she leads plein-air painting workshops and mentors young artists. June has contributed to public commissions and institutional projects, allowing her work to reach broader audiences while maintaining her authentic artistic voice.
The Story Behind Geaux Chapeaux
Geaux Chapeaux was born from a personal need that turned into a creative business. June Baranco created her first hat for her daughter Jillian’s wedding in 2011 when she could not find a hat that matched her vision . Using vintage fabrics and trims she had collected over the years, she designed a unique piece that sparked a new direction in her career.
The brand name, Geaux Chapeaux, is a celebration of her Louisiana roots. “Geaux” is a phonetic play on the French word “Go,” commonly used by Louisiana State University fans, while “Chapeaux” is the French word for hats . Her hats blend elegance with Southern charm, and each piece is crafted with care using vintage materials. The success of this venture showcases her versatility as an artist and her ability to turn personal creativity into a meaningful business.
Where Is June Baranco Today?
Today, June Baranco lives a private life in the New York area, far from the tabloid headlines. She has intentionally chosen a path of peace and seclusion, focusing on her art, her family, and her personal well-being. She remains active in art circles as a member of various prestigious organizations and continues to paint, teach, and mentor young artists.
She has deliberately avoided social media and public platforms, preferring to protect her peace and maintain the quiet environment she needs for creativity . Her life today is a testament to her resilience a quiet, purposeful existence built on her own terms.
June Baranco’s Private Life and Legacy
June Baranco’s legacy is not defined by her famous ex-husband, but by her quiet strength and resilience. She navigated one of the most public divorces in television history with dignity and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. Today, she is remembered as more than just “the ex-wife of a TV anchor.” She is an artist, a mother, and an entrepreneur who rebuilt her life piece by piece.
Her commitment to protecting her children from the public eye and her focus on her craft has made her a respected figure in artistic circles. Her mentorship of young artists ensures that her experience and passion are passed on to the next generation . June Baranco’s story is a reminder that personal dignity, quiet perseverance, and the courage to pursue one’s passions can lead to a life of true fulfillment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is June Baranco?
June Baranco is an American fine artist and milliner. She is best known as the first wife of legendary television journalist Bryant Gumbel, but she is also an accomplished painter, a devoted mother, and the founder of the handcrafted hat brand Geaux Chapeaux.
2. Who was June Baranco married to?
She was married to Bryant Gumbel, the famous television journalist and sportscaster known for his work on NBC’s Today show and HBO’s Real Sports. They were married for 28 years, from December 1, 1973, until their divorce was finalized in 2001.
3. How many children does June Baranco have?
June has two children with Bryant Gumbel. Their son is Bradley Christopher Gumbel, born in 1978, and their daughter is Jillian Beth Gumbel, born in 1984.
4. What does June Baranco do?
She is a fine artist who works in oil, pastel, watercolor, and printmaking, and the founder of Geaux Chapeaux, a brand of handcrafted hats. She is also a member of several art organizations, a workshop leader, and a mentor to young artists.
5. What was the reason for the divorce?
June Baranco filed for divorce citing infidelity. She accused her husband of being a “serial adulterer.” The divorce was finalized in 2001 after a long legal battle, and June received half of her ex-husband’s $20 million fortune as part of the settlement.
Conclusion
June Baranco’s story is one of resilience, quiet strength, and personal reinvention. While she first entered the public eye as the wife of a famous television journalist, her life’s work as an artist and entrepreneur reveals a woman of depth and determination. Through the challenges of a very public divorce, she maintained her dignity, protected her family, and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose.
Today, she continues to live a private life, dedicating herself to her art, her family, and mentoring the next generation of artists. Her journey reminds us that true strength often lies in quiet persistence. June Baranco’s legacy is not about the headlines that were written about her, but about the life she built for herself a life filled with creativity, grace, and unwavering self-respect.
