June Baranco is an American fine artist and milliner. She is also known as the first wife of television journalist Bryant Gumbel. She grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, studied fine art at Louisiana State University, and later built a creative career as a hat designer. Her life has been shaped by art, family, and a strong wish for privacy.
Quick Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | June Baranco |
| Also Known As | June Gumbel |
| Born | 1948, Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Education | Louisiana State University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1971 |
| Profession | Fine artist and milliner |
| Business | Geaux Chapeaux Millinery |
| Former Husband | Bryant Gumbel |
| Marriage | 1973 to 2001 |
| Children | Bradley Christopher Gumbel and Jillian Beth Gumbel |
June Baranco’s Early Life and Louisiana Background
June Baranco was born in 1948 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her childhood was filled with the traditions of the South, where hats were a normal part of dressing for church, weddings, and social events. That early exposure stayed with her for life.
Creativity also came early. Her Aunt Eura was a seamstress and taught her to sew by hand when she was about eight or nine years old. Her parents gave her a sewing machine for her tenth birthday. She kept that machine for many years.
June attended Louisiana State University and graduated in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in fine art. Her training helped her work in many forms, including painting, pastels, printmaking, pottery, and stained glass. Before marriage, she also worked as a Delta Air Lines flight attendant.
How June Baranco Met Bryant Gumbel
June Baranco met Bryant Gumbel in the late 1960s, long before he became a well-known television host. They were introduced through a friend. June’s friend was dating Bryant’s brother, Greg Gumbel, who later became a sports broadcaster.
June was still a student at LSU when she traveled to Chicago during a summer break. Bryant had recently finished college and was trying to build his career. June later described him as confident, funny, smart, and full of energy. Their friendship grew into a serious relationship. Bryant moved to New York to look for work in sports journalism, while June stayed in Louisiana for a time. They visited each other whenever they could.
June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel’s Marriage
June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel married on December 1, 1973, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After marriage, June left her job as a flight attendant and focused on family life.
The couple had two children: a son named Bradley Christopher Gumbel and a daughter named Jillian Beth Gumbel. The family lived in Waccabuc, a town north of New York City. In 1982, Bryant became the first Black host of NBC’s Today show. His career brought national fame and a much busier schedule. June focused on raising their children and creating a stable home. She also continued painting and stayed close to her creative interests.
Why June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel Divorced
The marriage lasted nearly three decades, but it faced serious problems. The couple separated in 1997. June later stated in public documents that she had found evidence of infidelity and that the problems had existed for years.
The divorce became a long legal battle that lasted about four years. June alleged adultery, and financial support became a major issue in court. She also said she received only a small monthly allowance despite Bryant’s large television salary. The case drew media attention because of Bryant’s fame.
The divorce was finalized in August 2001 in a Westchester County courtroom. Reports at the time said June received the couple’s Westchester estate and about half of Bryant’s estimated $20 million in assets. The full settlement was sealed, so complete details were never officially released.
June Baranco’s Life After Divorce
After the divorce, June Baranco did not fade away. She continued using the name June Gumbel professionally and stayed active as a fine artist. Her work has been shown in New York, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, and Great Britain. She has been linked with groups such as the Pastel Society, the Portrait Society, and the Salmagundi Club.
Her biggest career change came after her daughter Jillian’s 2011 wedding. While shopping for a hat, June felt that many bridal headpieces were expensive and lacked originality. With her art background and sewing skills, she decided to make her own. That choice led to a new career.
She began studying vintage hats, taking them apart to learn how they were made. She collected hat blocks, ribbons, lace, feathers, and fabrics. By the second year, she was making hats full time. She founded Geaux Chapeaux Millinery, a design studio in Westchester County, New York. The business makes handmade hats, headpieces, and bridal millinery. The name reflects her Louisiana roots. “Geaux” is a playful Louisiana spelling of “go,” and “chapeaux” is French for hats.
Geaux Chapeaux is listed as a member of the Milliners Guild. Her work has also been featured in HATalk magazine, including three Kentucky Derby hats.
June Baranco’s Smithsonian Recognition
One of the most notable moments in June Baranco’s creative career came when her work was chosen for a Smithsonian exhibition. A leather hat she created was included in “More Than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids.” The exhibition was hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The show was presented with Smithsonian Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden. It explored how orchids connect people, communities, and nature. It also highlighted African American contributions in craft and design. June’s hat was displayed alongside works by other artists.
The Smithsonian profile of June notes that she uses fabrics, feathers, and faux flowers to create one-of-a-kind hats. Her goal is to help women feel happy, beautiful, and confident. She has also said that when you see a woman wearing a hat, you can often tell what is in her heart.
This recognition placed her millinery in a cultural setting and showed that her work is more than a commercial product. It is art.
June Baranco’s Public Life and Legacy
June Baranco has chosen a quiet life away from the public eye. Unlike many people connected to famous television personalities, she rarely gives interviews and does not keep a prominent social media presence. Very little verified information is available about her current daily life or personal relationships.
There is no confirmed public report showing that she remarried after her divorce from Bryant Gumbel. Some websites have suggested she may still enjoy art, fashion, and creative hobbies, but she has never publicly discussed her current projects.
Her legacy is built on more than her marriage. She is a woman who studied fine art, raised two children, and then reinvented herself as a professional milliner decades later. Her story shows that creative skills can stay quiet for years before finding a new purpose. Childhood sewing lessons, a fine arts education, and a love of vintage hats all came together in Geaux Chapeaux.
Conclusion
June Baranco’s life is a story of creativity, patience, and quiet strength. She grew up in Louisiana, studied fine art at LSU, married Bryant Gumbel in 1973, and raised two children during his rise to national fame. After a difficult divorce, she returned to her artistic roots and built a new career as a milliner. Her work has been recognized by the Smithsonian and featured in professional publications. Today, she remains a private person, but her achievements speak for themselves.
FAQs
Who is June Baranco?
June Baranco is an American fine artist and milliner. She is also known as the former wife of television journalist Bryant Gumbel. She founded Geaux Chapeaux Millinery, and her hat designs have been featured in a Smithsonian exhibition.
When did June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel get married?
They married on December 1, 1973, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their marriage lasted until their divorce was finalized in August 2001.
What does June Baranco do now?
She is a fine artist and milliner. She runs Geaux Chapeaux Millinery, a design studio in Westchester County, New York, that creates handmade hats and headpieces.
Why did June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel divorce?
The marriage faced years of personal problems. During the divorce, June alleged infidelity and financial disagreements. The divorce became final in August 2001 after a four-year legal battle.
How many children do June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel have?
They have two children: a son, Bradley Christopher Gumbel, and a daughter, Jillian Beth Gumbel.
What is June Baranco’s net worth?
There is no verified public figure for her net worth. Reports about her divorce settlement mention property and assets, but the full agreement was sealed and never officially released.
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