June Baranco is best known to the public as the former wife of TV journalist Bryant Gumbel, but her identity reaches far beyond that title. She is a gifted visual artist, an entrepreneur, and a woman who has lived her life with quiet dignity and remarkable strength. June built a creative career rooted in realism, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage, while also raising a family away from the spotlight. Even decades after her divorce from Bryant Gumbel, people continue to search for her because of her resilience, her inspiring journey of reinvention, and her ability to rebuild her life on her own terms. Her reputation for grace, creativity, and independence continues to draw admiration from those who learn about her story.
June Baranco Profile Summary
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | June Carlyn Baranco |
| Date of Birth | June 22, 1948 |
| Age (2025) | 77 years old |
| Place of Birth | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | BFA – Louisiana State University; Studies at Parsons School of Design, Art Students League of New York, Pierce College |
| Profession | Visual Artist, Milliner (Hat Designer), Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Former wife of Bryant Gumbel; Founder of Geaux Chapeaux; Realism-style artwork |
| Parents | Not publicly documented |
| Siblings | Not publicly documented |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Bryant Gumbel (m. 1973 – div. 2001) |
| Children | 2 – Bradley Christopher Gumbel, Jillian Beth Gumbel |
| Art Mediums | Oil, Pastel, Watercolor, Woodcut |
| Art Memberships | Salmagundi Club, Portrait Society of America, Artist Fellowship of New York |
| Business | Geaux Chapeaux (Handcrafted hat brand) |
| Residence | New York City area (private life) |
| Public Presence | Very private; no social media |
Early Life and Family Background
Born on June 22, 1948, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, June Carlyn Baranco grew up in a culturally rich Southern environment where storytelling, craftsmanship, and creativity were part of everyday life. Although public details about her parents and siblings are scarce, what is known is that she developed an early passion for drawing, design, and painting, often spending hours creating art as a child. Louisiana’s strong artistic traditions, combined with the values of discipline and community, helped shape her creative identity. These early influences laid the foundation for a life deeply connected to art and personal expression.
Age — Understanding Her Life Timeline
As of 2025, June Baranco is 77 years old. Over the decades, her life has moved through many stages—her youth in Louisiana, her marriage to Bryant Gumbel in the 1970s, her years of motherhood, her personal struggles during their long marriage, and her rebirth as a full-time artist and entrepreneur after their divorce. Her timeline reflects continuous growth and transformation, evolving from a young creative woman into a seasoned artist, a strong mother, and a successful businesswoman.
Education and Artistic Formation
June’s natural talent for art led her to pursue formal training early in life. She attended the High School of Art and Design in New York City, where she gained her first real exposure to structured artistic development. She later earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Louisiana State University, strengthening her technical skills and artistic perspective. Her education did not stop there—she trained at prestigious institutions including Parsons School of Design, the Art Students League of New York, and Pierce College in California. Guided by respected artists such as Daniel Greene and Nelson Shanks, June developed a strong command of realism, mastering various mediums including oil, pastel, watercolor, and woodcut illustration.
Career as a Visual Artist
Throughout her career, June Baranco has worked across multiple artistic mediums, with a focus on oil painting, watercolor, pastel, and woodcut prints. Her work often centers on realism, emotional storytelling, and cultural history. She has completed numerous illustrations and community-based art projects, including artwork for the African Meeting House in Boston and installations for a Harlem hospital. Her illustrations for the Ohio Department of Social Services further reflected her interest in meaningful, socially connected artwork. As an active member of organizations like the Salmagundi Club, the Portrait Society of America, and the Artist Fellowship of New York, June has consistently contributed to the artistic community through mentorship, exhibitions, and plein air workshops.
Early Relationship With Bryant Gumbel
June met Bryant Gumbel in the late 1960s while working as a Delta flight attendant. At the time, Bryant was a young journalist just beginning his career in television. Their connection developed quickly, and they married in 1973, sharing hopes for a bright future together. What began as a loving partnership eventually became one of the most publicly discussed relationships linked to Bryant’s rise in the media.
June Baranco Life as Bryant Gumbel’s Wife
As Bryant Gumbel’s career grew, especially with his success on NBC’s Today Show, June became the supportive figure managing their home and raising their two children. She handled the demands of family life while her husband navigated the pressures of television journalism. Despite her own artistic ambitions, she often set her personal goals aside to prioritize family stability. The responsibilities and public visibility that came with being the wife of a major media figure brought challenges, and June carried them with quiet strength.
Who Is Bryant Gumbel?
Bryant Gumbel is a well-known American journalist, best recognized for hosting NBC’s Today Show for 15 years and later HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. His reputation for sharp interviewing and investigative reporting made him a household name. Understanding his influence and public role helps provide context for the pressures June experienced during their marriage, especially as his fame grew and their private life became increasingly strained.
Children — June Baranco as a Mother
June and Bryant have two children: Bradley Christopher Gumbel and Jillian Beth Gumbel. June raised them mostly outside public attention, creating a home environment grounded in stability, emotional support, and strong values. Despite the demands of her husband’s high-profile career, she ensured that her children experienced a grounded upbringing. Her devotion to her role as a mother has long been recognized as one of the most important parts of her life.
Challenges Within the Marriage
While the Gumbels appeared to be a successful couple on the outside, their marriage carried deep challenges behind closed doors. June endured years of emotional distance, infidelity, and financial imbalance. She reportedly discovered love letters from other women and felt deeply hurt by repeated betrayals. Although Bryant enjoyed significant wealth, June often had limited access to finances, relying on her own savings at times. These emotional and financial struggles affected her self-esteem but also revealed her resilience and commitment to maintaining her dignity.
Divorce and Legal Proceedings
In 2001, after nearly 30 years of marriage, June filed for divorce. The legal battle was public due to Bryant’s fame and was complicated by claims that he attempted to transfer assets to avoid dividing them. The court ultimately ruled in June’s favor, awarding her half of their marital estate, including valuable properties such as a Westchester mansion and a New York City apartment. This divorce marked an important turning point in June’s life, allowing her to regain independence and rebuild her identity.
June Baranco Life After Divorce
After the divorce, June chose to live a quiet and private life, stepping away from public attention. She returned to her art not for fame, but for healing and personal fulfillment. Through painting, illustration, and later entrepreneurship, she rebuilt her life with renewed independence. These years allowed her to combine creativity, business, and emotional recovery, showing a powerful example of how women can reclaim their lives after hardship.
Geaux Chapeaux — Her Handcrafted Hat Brand
June’s transition into entrepreneurship began unexpectedly when she designed a hat for her daughter’s wedding after being unimpressed with store options. The success of that design led her to create Geaux Chapeaux, a hat brand inspired by vintage elegance and her Louisiana roots. Each hat is handcrafted with care, using materials she has collected over the years. Her brand reflects her eye for detail, love of heritage, and commitment to quality. Geaux Chapeaux has become a meaningful extension of her artistic identity.
Artistic Philosophy and Style
June’s art is deeply rooted in realism, shaped by emotional storytelling and cultural influence. Her Southern upbringing, life experiences, and personal challenges all contribute to the feeling and depth in her work. Art has served as both expression and healing, allowing her to process emotions and connect with her heritage. Whether painting portraits, landscapes, or woodcut illustrations, her work reflects authenticity, sensitivity, and a commitment to truth.
Private Life, Values, and Personality
In her later years, June chose a life free from public exposure, avoiding social media and interviews. Her privacy is not a retreat but a statement about living on her own terms. Those who know her describe her as graceful, resilient, and deeply grounded. She continues to mentor young artists and participates in artistic communities without seeking attention. Her quiet strength and authenticity define her more than any public role ever could.
June Baranco Net Worth and Financial Standing
June’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but her divorce settlement provided significant assets, including real estate and financial compensation. Beyond this, she has earned income from her art and her handcrafted hat business. Despite her financial stability, June has maintained a modest lifestyle focused on creativity rather than luxury.
Legacy and Why Her Story Matters
June Baranco’s story resonates because it is one of quiet courage and self-discovery. She rebuilt her life through art, entrepreneurship, and independence after facing emotional pain and public scrutiny. Her impact can be seen not only through her artwork and hat designs but also in the lives of the young artists she has inspired. Her life is a reminder that dignity, strength, and authenticity can define a person far more than fame or public image.
Conclusion
June Baranco’s journey is a powerful example of resilience and personal reinvention. From her early creative passions to her challenging marriage, and from her brave decision to rebuild her life to her success as an artist and entrepreneur, she has shown remarkable inner strength. Her life teaches us that true success lies in staying true to your values, standing firm in your identity, and finding beauty even in hardship. June continues to inspire others not through fame, but through the quiet power of authenticity.
(FAQs)
1. Who is June Baranco?
June Baranco is an American visual artist, entrepreneur, and the former wife of TV journalist Bryant Gumbel. She is known for her refined realism artwork and her handcrafted hat brand, Geaux Chapeaux. Over the years, she built a life centered on creativity, dignity, and independence.
2. What is June Baranco known for besides her marriage to Bryant Gumbel?
Beyond her marriage, June is widely respected for her artistic career spanning oil painting, pastel work, watercolor, and woodcut prints. She has contributed to cultural projects in Boston, Harlem, and Ohio. Her craftsmanship and artistic influence have earned her recognition in several notable art organizations.
3. When and where was June Baranco born?
June was born on June 22, 1948, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She grew up in a culturally rich Southern environment that strongly shaped her artistic identity. Her early love of sketching and storytelling came directly from her Louisiana roots.
4. How did June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel meet?
June met Bryant in the late 1960s while she was working as a Delta flight attendant. At that time, Bryant was just beginning his journalism career. Their relationship quickly developed into a marriage that lasted nearly 30 years.
5. What kind of art does June Baranco create?
June specializes in realism, creating expressive works using oil, pastels, watercolor, and woodcut techniques. Her art often reflects emotional depth, cultural heritage, and personal experiences. She has participated in exhibitions and community projects across the U.S.
6. What happened in June Baranco’s marriage to Bryant Gumbel?
June faced emotional struggles during the marriage, including Bryant’s infidelity and unequal access to financial resources. These issues eventually led to their 2001 divorce, which included a highly publicized legal battle. The court awarded June a substantial settlement, helping her rebuild her life independently.
7. What is Geaux Chapeaux, and why is it significant?
Geaux Chapeaux is June’s handcrafted hat brand, inspired by Southern culture and vintage fashion. It began when she created a hat for her daughter’s wedding and discovered her talent for millinery. The brand reflects her creativity, her Louisiana heritage, and her eye for detailed craftsmanship.
8. Where is June Baranco now?
June currently lives a very private life in the New York area. She focuses on her art, her hat-making business, and mentoring young artists through organizations like the Salmagundi Club. She intentionally stays away from social media and public appearances to protect her peace and independence.
