Gayle King reveals marriage ‘red flag’ involving her dog

Gayle King is opening up about a painful sacrifice she made during her marriage to ex-husband William Bumpus.

The veteran broadcaster made the revelation during a May 22 segment on CBS Mornings, where she disclosed that Bumpus did not like dogs and made her give up her pet while they were married.

“I love that you are calling this series ‘Life is Better with Dogs,’ because my ex-husband didn't like dogs,” King said during a conversation with Farmer’s Dog co-founder Jonathan Regev.

“As a matter of fact, I had to get rid of my dog. Which should have been a clue. Shouldn't it have been a clue?” she added. “I'm still a little bitter!”

King was married to William Bumpus from 1982 to 1993. The former couple share two children, Kirby Bumpus and William Bumpus Jr.

The TV host also spoke about her deep love for dogs during the segment. “I love dogs so much. I know the love they can give you. It really is unconditional,” she said. “They don't care what you do or how you do it, they just unconditionally love you.” 

King also joked that if she ever had another life, she would want to return as one of Oprah Winfrey’s pets.

“I always say when I go, I'd like to come back as one of Oprah's dogs,” she quipped. “They look very happy. They live very well. Cashmere, private planes... sign me up!”

King and Bumpus divorced in 1993 after his affair became public. In 2016, Bumpus publicly apologized for the infidelity, calling King “a great wife, an excellent mother and a fantastic co-parent.”