We all know Gayle King as the renowned television journalist and even more-so as the loyal best friend of Oprah Winfrey. Over the years, what we haven’t gotten to know her much as, is the loving mother to her daughter, Kirby, and son, William Burpus Jr. It is the latter child that has recently become the topic of discussion among these social media streets.
Meet Gayle’s Son NOW
Meet Gayle’s 35-year-old son, William Burpus Jr.. The TV host’s female fans are diggin’ her son because not only is he a decent looking brotha, he’s also highly regarded by Gayle’s best friend, Oprah, for his kind spirit and great personality- all of which are qualities that far supercede looks.
William Jr. is the product of Gayle’s marriage to her and ex-husband, William Burpus Sr.. Their graduated from Duke University in 2009. In fact, Gayle’s homegirl, Oprah, also attended William Jr.’s Duke graduation and boasted about how proud she was of him:
“I’m so happy to be here, and I’m here because someone I love is graduating today,” Oprah stated via Duke Today. “I just want to say I knew William before he was born. I don’t know a better young man in the world than William Burpus. Thank you, Duke, for making him an even greater young man. And I have to say that he is so kind and so generous of spirit. William, you’re the son I wish I’d had, and so I’m thrilled to be here for you. Love you, Willzer.”
The Gift Oprah Gave Gayle Helped With Her Kids
Another fun fact about Gayle’s son, William Jr. – he’s the godson of Oprah. How cool is that, right?!! I could only imagine the types of lavish gifts and holiday treats Ms. Winfrey’s been dishing out to her godbaby throughout the years.
Speaking of Oprah, Gayle once admitted, during an interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, that the best gift Oprah EVER gave her, was a nanny, after having her son and daughter just 11 months apart:
“Favorite, favorite thing I think would be, after I had my second baby — and they’re, you know, 11 months apart, where you say to the doctor ‘I thought this diaphragm was supposed to work?!’ — she gifted me a live-in nanny. … I didn’t plan to have babies that close together. … I could never have afforded it … That was a good gift!”
That Time Gayle Blasted Son’s Dad For Cheating
Now, of course we can’t talk about the wonderful young brotha William Jr. has evolved into, without talking about the union of the two people responsible for his upbringing- Gayle and her ex-husband, William Burpus Sr.. They have both been very instrumental in raising their son and daughter, but unfortunately, their marital bliss didn’t last, due to William’s infidelity.
The former lovebirds were married for 11 years, up until 1993, when everything came to a screeching halt. In a 2016 interview, Gayle put her ex on blast when she revealed that their marriage ended after she caught him in bed with a butt-naked woman! Dayumn!
“‘Despise’ is a strong word,” Gayle stated, trying to keep her cool initially. Then she said, “I’m not a huge fan of the woman I caught naked with my now ex-husband on June 24, 1990, at 9:16 p.m. – but I don’t remember the details.”
Shortly after Gayle’s Vanity interview, her ex, William Burpus Sr., was quick to pop off a heartfelt public apology that apparently took him 26 years to give. You can check that out HERE.
Welp, we all live and learn. The best part of it all, is that William Sr. and Gayle have managed to maintain a mutual level of respect between them, for the sake of their two children.
