In the glittering world of television and journalism, where personalities become household names and fame often overshadows the people behind the scenes, there exists a woman who quietly but firmly carved her own path. June Baranco is best known to the public as the former wife of legendary TV journalist Bryant Gumbel, but her story goes far beyond that association. She is an artist, a mother, and an entrepreneur a woman who embraced her creative calling and lived life on her terms.
While her ex-husband graced the screens of millions for decades, June Baranco chose a life of authenticity and grace, away from the cameras. Her journey speaks volumes about resilience, quiet strength, and the powerful legacy one can build outside the spotlight
Quick Bio
| Details | Information |
| Full Name | June Carlyn Baranco |
| Date of Birth | June 22, 1948 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 77 years old |
| Place of Birth | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Profession | Artist, Milliner, Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Former wife of Bryant Gumbel |
| Education | LSU, Parsons School of Design, Art Students League |
| Art Mediums | Oil, Watercolor, Pastel, Woodcut |
| Marital Status | Divorced (from Bryant Gumbel, 2001) |
| Children | Two – Bradley and Jillian Gumbel |
| Current Residence | New York City area |
| Business | Geaux Chapeaux – Handcrafted Hats |
| Affiliations | Salmagundi Club, Portrait Society of America |
Early Life and Background
June Baranco was born on June 22, 1948, in the southern city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Raised in a family that valued culture, education, and community, she grew up surrounded by influences that would later fuel her artistic journey. From a young age, June showed a remarkable talent for sketching and painting, gravitating toward beauty in everyday life. Her Southern upbringing instilled in her both discipline and warmth a balance that would become a hallmark of her personality and later, her artwork.
Although she would eventually find herself married to one of the most recognizable names in American broadcasting, June’s early passions were shaped by creativity, not celebrity.
How Old Is June Baranco?
June Baranco was born on June 22, 1948, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which makes her 77 years old as of 2025. Over the decades, she has gracefully evolved through many roles artist, wife, mother, and entrepreneur embracing each chapter of life with resilience and quiet strength. Despite the public attention surrounding her past marriage to Bryant Gumbel, June has always valued privacy and authenticity, choosing to focus on her personal growth and creative passions. Her age is not just a number but a reflection of the wisdom, experience, and self-awareness she has gained through years of navigating both triumphs and challenges. Today, she continues to thrive, living a fulfilling and purposeful life rooted in art, family, and inner peace.
Education and Artistic Roots
June Baranco nurtured her artistic instincts through formal training at some of the country’s most respected institutions. She attended the High School of Art and Design in New York, where her interest in visual arts deepened. She later pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Louisiana State University. Determined to refine her skills even further, June enrolled in classes at the Parsons School of Design, The Art Students League of New York, and Pierce College in California.
She studied under renowned artists like Daniel Greene and Nelson Shanks, developing a strong foundation in realism. Over time, she mastered various mediums oil painting, watercolors, pastels, and even woodcut illustrations creating a versatile portfolio grounded in emotional expression and technical precision.
Marriage to Bryant Gumbel
June Baranco’s life changed dramatically in the late 1960s when she met a young, ambitious man named Bryant Gumbel. At the time, she was working as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, and Bryant was an up-and-coming journalist. Their relationship blossomed, and in 1973, they tied the knot.
For nearly three decades, June played the role of a supportive wife while Bryant’s career soared. He became a household name with shows like NBC’s Today and HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. June, meanwhile, devoted herself to family life and raising their two children Bradley and Jillian. Though she set aside many of her own aspirations during these years, she continued to create art privately, letting her creativity flow in the background.
Who Is Bryant Gumbel?
Bryant Gumbel is a prominent American television journalist and sportscaster, known for his articulate interviews and groundbreaking work in sports journalism. His long tenure on NBC’s Today show and later on Real Sports earned him critical acclaim and public admiration. While his name became synonymous with journalistic excellence, June Baranco remained a quiet but steady presence in his life until the cracks in their marriage became impossible to ignore.
Struggles Within the Marriage
Behind the glossy public image, June Baranco faced numerous challenges in her marriage. Over time, Bryant’s increasing emotional distance and extramarital affairs began to wear on her. The discovery of love letters and evidence of infidelity was a painful blow. Despite Bryant’s wealth and high profile, June reportedly lived with modest means during much of their marriage. She relied on personal savings and financial discipline to maintain her independence, even while managing the demands of motherhood and marriage.
June’s quiet endurance of these struggles was rooted not in passivity, but in a deep sense of self-worth. She valued her family, but she also knew when enough was enough.
Divorce and Turning Point
After nearly 30 years of marriage, June Baranco filed for divorce in 2001. The case drew public attention due to Bryant’s fame and the financial intricacies of their separation. Reports revealed that Bryant had attempted to transfer assets to avoid equitable distribution, but the court sided with June. She was awarded a significant portion of the marital estate, including a New York City apartment and a mansion in Westchester.
But more than material gains, the divorce marked a turning point for June. It symbolized her reclaiming of independence and a renewed commitment to her own life and values.
Life After Divorce
Following her divorce, June Baranco retreated from public life and immersed herself fully in art. She returned to her passion with a renewed sense of purpose, creating meaningful works that reflected her personal journey. Her art appeared in exhibitions and public projects, including a woodcut commissioned for the historic African Meeting House in Boston and an installation at North General Hospital in Harlem. She also illustrated educational materials for the Ohio Department of Social Services.
This phase of her life wasn’t about chasing recognition it was about healing, creating, and contributing to the community in quiet yet impactful ways.
Geaux Chapeaux: A Creative Business
In 2011, June Baranco launched Geaux Chapeaux, a handcrafted hat brand inspired by her Southern roots and love for fashion. The name itself “Geaux” being a nod to Louisiana’s Cajun culture encapsulates her identity. The brand arose out of a personal moment: struggling to find the right hat for her daughter’s wedding, June decided to make one herself.
Each hat is a wearable piece of art, made from vintage trims and fabrics that she’s collected over the years. Geaux Chapeaux is not just a business; it’s an extension of June’s artistic voice, combining her flair for design with a mission to revive old-world elegance.
Private Life and Community Work
June Baranco is someone who has deliberately chosen privacy over publicity. She has no social media presence, rarely gives interviews, and focuses her time on art, family, and mentoring young creatives. Through organizations like the Salmagundi Club and the Artist Fellowship of New York, she participates in workshops, plein air painting sessions, and mentorship programs.
Her life today is one of calm purpose. She remains unmarried and centered in her creative pursuits, living proof that happiness doesn’t require fame it requires alignment with one’s truth.
June Baranco’s Children
June and Bryant Gumbel share two children. Their son, Bradley Christopher Gumbel, and daughter, Jillian Beth Gumbel, were largely kept out of the public eye during their upbringing. June has always prioritized their privacy and wellbeing, striving to provide a stable, nurturing environment. Her dedication to motherhood has always remained at the core of her identity, even amid personal challenges.
June Baranco Net Worth
While June Baranco has never flaunted her wealth, her net worth is often speculated upon due to her divorce settlement and successful ventures. Estimates suggest that the divorce awarded her multi-million-dollar assets, including real estate. Additionally, her hat business and art commissions have added to her financial independence. Although precise figures are unavailable, June’s net worth is believed to be in the millions earned not only through her past but sustained through creativity and smart choices.
Final Thoughts
The story of June Baranco is one of quiet transformation. She began her life with a love for art, became the wife of a television icon, endured heartbreak, and reemerged as a thriving creative force. Her legacy is not one written in tabloids but etched in brushstrokes, fabrics, and the lives she’s touched.
In a culture that often values noise over nuance, June Baranco reminds us of the enduring power of grace, creativity, and inner strength. She may have once stood in someone else’s shadow, but today, she shines entirely on her own.
FAQs
1. Who is June Baranco?
- June Baranco is a visual artist, entrepreneur, and the former wife of journalist Bryant Gumbel. She is also the founder of the handcrafted hat brand Geaux Chapeaux.
2. When was June Baranco born?
- She was born on June 22, 1948, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
3. How old is June Baranco?
- As of 2025, June Baranco is 77 years old.
4. What is Geaux Chapeaux?
- Geaux Chapeaux is June Baranco’s boutique hat brand known for its handcrafted, vintage-inspired designs influenced by Southern charm.
5. Did June Baranco remarry after her divorce from Bryant Gumbel?
- No, June has remained unmarried and lives a private life focused on art and mentorship.
