Bryant Gumbel, the familiar face who guided Americans through their mornings for 15 years on the “Today” show and later through hard-hitting stories on HBO’s “Real Sports,” has built a legacy defined by his professional rigor. Away from the camera, his personal life is centered around his role as a husband and father. While he recently made headlines for a medical emergency that required hospitalization, a family member has assured he is “okay.” His life at home with his wife and children has provided a steady foundation throughout his long career in the spotlight.
The veteran broadcaster’s journey through personal life includes two marriages. His first marriage was to June Baranco, a union that began in 1973 and lasted for nearly three decades before the couple divorced in 2001. From this marriage, Bryant has two kids: a son named Bradley Christopher Gumbel, born in 1979, and a daughter named Jillian Beth Gumbel, born in 1983. Following his divorce, Bryant found love again and married his second wife, Hilary Quinlan, in 2002. Despite the public nature of his job, Gumbel has largely succeeded in keeping his life private, creating a clear boundary between his work and his home.
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Family Life and Fatherhood
Bryant Gumbel embraced fatherhood with the same dedication he showed in his career. When his children, Bradley and Jillian, were young, he was a very present father despite his demanding schedule as a morning show host. He once shared that he made a conscious effort to be home for dinner every night and spent his weekends fully engaged with his kids, taking them to basketball games, cooking family meals, and helping with homework. He acknowledged that while his young ones were aware of his fame, it was a normal part of their lives, saying, “It’s true that Daddy’s known, but there’s never been a day when Daddy wasn’t on TV — so Brad and Jillian are used to it.”
His children have since grown into adulthood and built their own paths. His son, Bradley, attended Lynn University and Manhattanville College and previously worked as an events planner. Bryant’s daughter, Jillian, studied at Sarah Lawrence College and pursued a career as a yoga instructor. Jillian is now married to William Robins, and the couple has two sons, making Bryant a grandfather. The family remains close, with Bryant and his wife, Hilary, showing their support at events like when Jillian ran the New York City Marathon.
Marriage to Hilary Quinlan
After his divorce from June Baranco, Bryant Gumbel’s personal life took a positive turn when he married Hilary Quinlan. The couple tied the knot in 2002 and have built a life together, splitting their time between New York and Florida. Unlike Bryant, Hilary Quinlan has mostly stayed out of the limelight, but she has built an impressive career of her own as a producer and philanthropist.
Hilary is an Emmy-winning producer and author who dedicated over 18 years to UNICEF USA as an advocate and fundraiser. She even created a national best-selling cookbook, “UniChef Top Chefs Unite,” with all her royalties going directly to support the organization’s work for children. Before moving into philanthropy and production, she had a successful six-year career in the finance world at Goldman Sachs.
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While Hilary and Bryant do not have kids together, she has embraced her role as a stepmother to Bryant’s two adult children. Together, they navigate life as a blended family, supporting each other’s endeavors and maintaining a strong, though private, partnership.
