When you hear the name June Baranco, you might immediately think of her as Bryant Gumbel’s ex-wife. But reducing this remarkable woman to a single relationship would be like judging a book by its cover you’d miss an entire story of strength, creativity, and quiet resilience. June Baranco is an artist, a mother, and a woman who chose dignity over drama when her world fell apart. Her journey from Louisiana to the heights of New York society, through heartbreak and rebirth, tells us something profound about the power of grace under pressure.
Early Life and Background
Born on June 22, 1948, in Louisiana, June Carlyn Baranco grew up in the American South during a time of significant cultural change. While some sources point to Baton Rouge and others to New Orleans, what’s certain is that she was raised in a family that valued education, integrity, and creative expression. Her father, Joseph, served in the military, while her mother, Jeannie, managed the household with strength and wisdom. These early influences would later shape June’s own approach to life’s challenges.
From childhood, June showed a natural inclination toward the arts. She would spend hours sketching, painting, and creating finding beauty in the world around her and translating it onto canvas. This wasn’t just a hobby; it was the beginning of a lifelong passion that would eventually become her refuge during difficult times.
June’s educational journey took her to the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, where she honed her creative skills. She later attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), pursuing her love of design and visual arts. Some records also indicate she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Louisiana State University. These formative years weren’t just about education they were about discovering who she was beyond anyone’s expectations.
Biography Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | June Carlyn Baranco |
| Date of Birth | June 22, 1948 |
| Age (2025) | 77 years old |
| Birthplace | Louisiana, United States (Baton Rouge/New Orleans) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Religion | Christian |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 58 kg |
| Education | High School of Art and Design (Manhattan); Fashion Institute of Technology; Bachelor of Fine Arts, Louisiana State University |
| Profession | Artist, Entrepreneur, Former Flight Attendant |
| Marriage | Bryant Gumbel (December 1, 1973 – August 2001) |
| Children | Bradley Christopher Gumbel (b. 1978); Jillian Beth Gumbel (b. 1983) |
| Business Ventures | Geaux Chapeaux (handcrafted hat business) |
| Notable Achievements | Woodcut design for African Meeting House (Boston); Art installations; Landscape painting instructor; Member of Salmagundi Club and The Artist Fellowship of New York |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | $2-5 million |
| Current Status | Living privately, focusing on art and family |
Physical Attributes: June Baranco Measurements, Height, and Appearance
Standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall, June Baranco has always carried herself with natural elegance and grace. Throughout her life, she’s maintained a healthy physique, with sources estimating her weight at approximately 58 kilograms. But what truly sets June apart isn’t her measurements it’s the quiet confidence she radiates.
When people ask “how tall is June Baranco,” they’re often curious about more than just numbers. Her presence has always been about more than physical stature. With dark brown eyes and black hair, June possesses a timeless beauty that reflects her inner strength. June Baranco’s height and weight have remained consistent over the years, but it’s her dignified bearing and graceful demeanor that truly define her appearance.
The Bryant Gumbel Years: A Marriage in the Spotlight
December 1, 1973, marked the beginning of a new chapter when June married Bryant Gumbel in Baton Rouge. At the time, Bryant was an ambitious young journalist with dreams of making it big in television. June was 25 years old, full of hope and ready to support her husband’s rising career. They had met through a mutual friend when June was working as a Delta flight attendant a job that reflected her adventurous spirit and desire to see the world.
As Bryant’s career took off, June made a choice that many women of her generation made: she stepped back from her own professional ambitions to create a stable home environment. While Bryant became the face of NBC’s Today Show and later HBO’s Real Sports, June was the foundation that made it all possible. She managed the household, raised their children, and provided the emotional support that allowed Bryant to focus on his demanding career.
For nearly 28 years, June stood by Bryant’s side at high-profile events, charity galas, and social gatherings. Photos from the Getty Images collection show the couple at prestigious venues like the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and various Friars Club tributes. To the outside world, they appeared to be the perfect power couple.
Motherhood: Her Greatest Achievement
June and Bryant welcomed two children during their marriage: Bradley Christopher Gumbel, born in 1978, and Jillian Beth Gumbel, born in 1983. Motherhood became the cornerstone of June’s identity, and she dedicated herself to raising her children with strong values, integrity, and love.
Bradley attended Lynn University and Manhattanville College and later worked in event planning. In 2000, he briefly made headlines when he was mistakenly arrested, but the charges were quickly dropped when the prosecution discovered the error. Throughout the ordeal, June remained a steadfast supporter of her son.
Jillian attended Sarah Lawrence College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She worked as a nanny during her college years and later found her true calling as a yoga instructor and life coach. In 2011, Jillian married William Russell Robins, and together they have two sons. She co-founded the Illi company in 2020 with her friend Allison Newell, focusing on wellness and healthy living. Jillian’s choice to pursue a path centered on mindfulness and helping others clearly reflects her mother’s influence.
June’s children have largely stayed out of the media spotlight, a testament to her efforts to provide them with as normal a childhood as possible despite their father’s fame. Her protective instincts and focus on family values created a stable environment where Bradley and Jillian could develop their own identities.
The Divorce: Betrayal and Dignity
After more than 25 years of marriage, cracks in the relationship became impossible to ignore. In 2000, June and Bryant separated, and their divorce was finalized in August 2001. The split was highly publicized, not just because of Bryant’s celebrity status, but because of the painful allegations that emerged.
June accused Bryant of being a “serial adulterer,” claiming he had been unfaithful for years. Despite reportedly earning around $600,000 per month at the peak of his career, June said she received only a modest allowance and sometimes had to rely on her own savings for basic expenses. The betrayal went deeper than finances at one point, Bryant reportedly moved his girlfriend into their shared home even before the divorce was finalized.
The divorce settlement awarded June half of Bryant’s estimated $20 million fortune, along with properties including their Westchester estate and Upper East Side apartment. Her attorney, Barry Slotnick, told The Associated Press that “Mrs. Gumbel was satisfied that this part of her life is over and she can go on without the concerns she had before.”
What’s remarkable about June’s handling of this painful chapter is her grace. She never gave tell-all interviews, never wrote a bitter memoir, and never exploited her former marriage for fame or money. When reporters swarmed her outside the courtroom, she simply said she was relieved and ready to move forward. Her brother, Darryl Baranco, was more vocal, calling Bryant “a poor excuse for a human being,” but June herself maintained her dignity.
Life After Divorce: Rediscovering Herself
Following the divorce, June Baranco made a conscious choice to step away from the spotlight. She retreated to a quieter life, focusing on healing, creativity, and personal growth. This period marked not an ending, but a rebirth a return to the artistic passions she had set aside decades earlier.
June returned to painting, creating works in oil, pastel, watercolor, and woodcut techniques. Her art often explores themes of resilience, community, and heritage. Notable projects include a woodcut version she designed for the opening of the African Meeting House in Boston and an art installation she created for North General Hospital in Harlem. She also painted a commissioned portrait of her grandfather for Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Beyond visual art, June launched Geaux Chapeaux, a handcrafted hat business that reflects her Louisiana roots and her love of vintage fashion. The name itself a play on the Louisiana expression “Geaux” (go) speaks to her pride in her heritage. The business began with a handmade wedding hat and evolved into a creative outlet that combines artistry with entrepreneurship.
June also became a member of the Salmagundi Club and The Artist Fellowship of New York, connecting with other artists and becoming part of a creative community. She has taught landscape painting, sharing her knowledge and passion with aspiring artists. Her ability to mentor young creatives reflects the same nurturing spirit she brought to motherhood.
Net Worth and Financial Independence
Estimates of June Baranco’s net worth vary widely, ranging from $500,000 to $5 million, with most sources settling around $2-5 million. This wealth comes from several sources: her divorce settlement from Bryant Gumbel, income from her artwork and exhibitions, revenue from her Geaux Chapeaux business, and private investments.
More important than the dollar amount is what it represents: financial independence. After years of relying on her husband’s income, June built her own economic foundation through creativity and entrepreneurship. She didn’t need to chase fame or exploitation to support herself—she simply returned to doing what she loved.
Social Media Presence and Privacy
In an age where everyone shares their life online, June Baranco stands out for what she doesn’t do. She has no public presence on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media platform. While some sources erroneously claim she’s active on these platforms, verified information confirms that June has chosen complete privacy in the digital age.
This absence from social media isn’t an oversight it’s a deliberate choice. June has always valued privacy, and after decades in the shadow of public life, she’s claimed her right to live without constant scrutiny. Her decision to stay offline speaks volumes about her priorities: genuine relationships, meaningful work, and inner peace matter more than likes, followers, or public validation.
Conclusion
At 77 years old, June Baranco has lived a life that many would find unimaginable from small-town Louisiana to New York society, from the heights of a celebrity marriage to the depths of public divorce, and finally to the peace of creative fulfillment. She reminds us that our worth isn’t determined by who we marry or how famous we become, but by how we handle adversity and whether we stay true to ourselves.
June Baranco chose grace over bitterness, creativity over revenge, and privacy over publicity. In doing so, she wrote a different kind of ending to her story one where the heroine doesn’t need the spotlight to shine. She simply lives her life with dignity, creates beautiful things, and loves her family fiercely. That’s not just surviving that’s thriving on your own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How old is June Baranco in 2025?
A. June Baranco was born on June 22, 1948, making her 77 years old as of 2025. She’s a Cancer, known for traits like emotional intelligence, nurturing nature, and strong family values characteristics that have clearly defined her life journey.
Q2: When did June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel get divorced?
A. June and Bryant Gumbel finalized their divorce in August 2001 after nearly 28 years of marriage. They had married on December 1, 1973, and separated in March 2000. The divorce attracted significant media attention due to allegations of infidelity and the substantial financial settlement involved.
Q3: What does June Baranco do now?
A. June lives a private life focused on her art and family. She creates paintings in various mediums including oil, watercolor, pastel, and woodcut. She also runs Geaux Chapeaux, a handcrafted hat business inspired by her Louisiana heritage. Additionally, she teaches landscape painting and mentors young artists.
Q4: How many children does June Baranco have?
A. June has two children with Bryant Gumbel: Bradley Christopher Gumbel (born 1978) and Jillian Beth Gumbel (born 1983). Both children have pursued their own paths outside the media spotlight, with Jillian working as a yoga instructor and life coach, and Bradley having worked in event planning.
Q5: What is June Baranco’s net worth?
A. While exact figures aren’t publicly confirmed, June Baranco’s net worth is estimated to be between $2-5 million. This wealth comes from her divorce settlement, artwork sales, her Geaux Chapeaux business, and private investments. She has achieved financial independence through her creative pursuits.