June Baranco is widely recognized as the former wife of legendary TV broadcaster Bryant Gumbel. But her life was never meant to be defined by someone else’s spotlight. Hers is a story of elegance, quiet resilience, and a creative soul who chose self-worth over status.
She is a painter, a designer, a woman who prefers brushstrokes to broadcast cameras and authenticity over applause. While the world watched her husband rise to fame, June was quietly building her own legacy, one grounded in art, family, and the kind of strength that does not make headlines but lasts far longer.
Quick Facts About June Baranco
👤 Full Name: June Carlyn Baranco
🎂 Born: June 22, 1948
🌆 Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
🎓 Education: BFA from Louisiana State University, trained at Art Students League and Parsons School of Design
👨👩👧👦 Family: Ex-wife of Bryant Gumbel [married 1973, divorced 2001], two children
🎨 Profession: Visual artist specializing in oil, pastel, and watercolor
👒 Entrepreneurship: Founder of Geaux Chapeaux [handcrafted hat brand]
🏡 Current Focus: Private life centered on art, craftsmanship, and mentoring
📵 Public Presence: Intentionally private, does not engage in social media or publicity campaigns
Early Life: Baton Rouge Roots
Childhood in Louisiana
On June 22, 1948, June Carlyn Baranco was born in Baton Rouge, where she was nurtured in an environment that encouraged perseverance and academic achievement. Not much has been publicly documented about her early family life, and that in itself says something. June was never one to seek attention.
Even as a child, she was drawn to creativity. She sketched, painted, and designed clothing. Her hands were always moving, her eyes always observing. That quiet presence would later shape both her art and her life choices.
Artistic Beginnings and Education
Formal Training
Her artistic journey began at New York’s High School of Art and Design, where she nurtured her creative talent from an early age. She later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University and expanded her learning through courses at Parsons School of Design, The Art Students League of New York, and Pierce College in California.
Art was not just something she studied. She lived it, learning from world-renowned artists like Daniel Greene and Nelson Shanks. Over time, she developed her own voice, focused on realism and emotional depth.
Mediums and Themes
Her work spans oil painting, watercolor, pastels, and woodcut illustration. She also explored fashion through millinery, handcrafting elegant hats inspired by vintage styles. For June, every medium was another way to tell a story and reveal the truth.
The Love Story and Its Cracks
Meeting Bryant Gumbel
June met Bryant Gumbel in the late 1960s. At the time, she worked as a Delta flight attendant and he was an ambitious young journalist with a future still unwritten. Their connection was immediate and strong.
They married on December 1, 1973, a union that would last nearly three decades. During this time, Bryant’s career soared, first with NBC’s Today Show and later as a household name in sports and news broadcasting.
June stepped into the role of supportive wife. She left her own career and focused on raising their children, Bradley Christopher and Jillian Beth, while Bryant built his name and fame.
But behind the public image, their marriage was under strain.
Infidelity and Emotional Distance
For years, June endured emotional distance and recurring infidelities. She later revealed in court documents that she discovered love letters from other women.
“I felt like I had been shot through the heart,” she said in an interview, one of the few times she ever spoke publicly about the relationship.
Financially, she received a $250 monthly allowance, even while Bryant earned millions. She used her personal savings to buy what she needed or simply to feel like she still mattered.
The Divorce That Broke the Silence
A Difficult Ending
Their split was finalized on August 21, 2001. June filed for divorce citing repeated infidelity and a lack of emotional support.
What followed was a bitter legal process. Bryant tried to transfer assets into a separate account, but the court ruled in June’s favor. She received half of his estate, including their Westchester mansion and an Upper East Side apartment.
For June, it was not about the money. It was about fairness, dignity, and reclaiming a life she had set aside for years.
Life After Divorce: A Creative Reawakening
Rebuilding Through Art
After the divorce, June chose solitude and purpose over publicity. She returned to her art, not for recognition but for healing.
She painted portraits, landscapes, and created illustrations. One of her works, a woodcut for the African Meeting House in Boston, stands as a subtle but lasting tribute to her talent. She also created a chapel installation for North General Hospital in Harlem and illustrated for Ohio’s Department of Social Services.
These were not headline projects. They were personal, meaningful, and community-focused.
Geaux Chapeaux: Hats With Soul
In 2011, while shopping for a hat for her daughter’s wedding, June was stunned by the prices. So she made one herself. That experience inspired her to launch Geaux Chapeaux, a small millinery brand that blends southern charm with vintage elegance.
She handcrafts every piece, using vintage trims and fabrics she has collected for years. Drawing from her Louisiana heritage, the name incorporates “Geaux,” a Cajun-inspired spelling that reflects the regional culture.
Legacy of Quiet Power
A Private Life by Choice
June has never remarried. She does not appear on social media. She rarely grants interviews. That is not shyness. That is agency.
She chose a life on her own terms, focused on creativity, family, and inner peace. She raised her children with grace and continues to stay close to them.
Her Influence in the Art World
June is a member of the Salmagundi Club, The Portrait Society of America, and the Artist Fellowship of New York. She has led plein air painting workshops, mentored young artists, and still exhibits her work from time to time, often quietly and without fanfare.
She does not need a blue checkmark. Her work speaks for itself.
A Final Thought
June Baranco’s story is not about scandal. It is about grace under pressure, dignity after heartbreak, and the quiet power of choosing yourself.
She walked away from the life others built around her and, slowly and deliberately, built one of her own. With a paintbrush in hand, fabric at her fingertips, and decades of life experience in her soul, June became her truest self.
She reminds us that some of the strongest people are not loud. They do not chase headlines. Nor do they demand attention. Instead, they live with intention, with purpose, and with peace [and that is where true power begins].
FAQs About June Baranco
How many children does she have?
She has two children, Bradley Christopher Gumbel and Jillian Beth Gumbel.
What is her art style?
Specializing in realism, her art employs mediums like oil, watercolor, pastel, and woodcut, often centered on portraiture and expressive emotion.
Did she remarry?
No. June Baranco has lived an independent, private life since her divorce in 2001.
What is Geaux Chapeaux?
It is her millinery brand, launched in 2011. She handcrafts custom vintage-inspired hats.
Where is she now?
She lives privately in New York. She stays active in her art and creative work, but remains away from the public spotlight.
