It is a special day for Gayle King and her family, and she is taking fans on a trip down memory lane for it.
On Sunday, April 28, the CBS mainstay celebrated her “favorite son” William Bumpus Jr.’s 37th birthday with a round of touching throwback photos and a sweet family update.
The veteran news anchor has long referred to Will as her “favorite son,” as he is in fact her only son with ex-husband William Bumpuswho she was married to from 1982 to 1993; the former couple also shares daughter Kirby Bumpuswho will be 38 on May 12.
In honor of Will’s special day, Gayle took to Instagram and first left fans in awe as she shared an old photo featuring her son as a baby, which appears to have been taken shortly after his birth, as she appears in bed carrying a baby Will, and they’re surrounded by celebratory baby blue balloons and flower arrangements.
She next shared some more pics of Will as a toddler, followed by some taken just this weekend that picture a smiling, dapper Will as he enjoyed his annual birthday lunch at Red Lobster, this year featuring his fiancée Elise Smith.
“37 years ago TODAY favorite son arrived! Now all ‘growed’ up,” Gayle wrote, endearingly adding: “He’s in love & engaged to spectacular @elisemariesmith & now she gets to enjoy his @redlobster birthday tradition! Cheddar biscuits for the win! Happy birthday Will!”
Fans and celebrity friends alike were then quick to take to the comments section under the post and wish Will a very happy birthday, with Rita Wilson writing: “What happiness!” as others followed suit with: “I know you’re a very proud mama. Happy birthday Will!!” and: “That’s too funny, favorite son Will’s tradition. Happy birthday!!!” as well as: “OMG! What a cute little boy he was and handsome all ‘growed’ up! Happy birthday, Will.”
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Will graduated from Duke University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Asian & Middle Eastern studies, and has previously worked for companies such as Perella Weinberg Partners, Sherpa Capital, Headspace, and Activision.
© InstagramIn 2017, he graduated with a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University, and today is a partner at Westbound Equity Partners, a venture capital firm forced on “underrepresented founders.”
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© InstagramThough both he and his soon-to-be wife Elise stay largely out of the spotlight and don’t have public Instagram accounts, Gayle announced their engagement this past February with an effusive Instagram post of her own.
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© GettyAfter sharing photos and videos from the special proposal – which featured a cameo from her best friend Oprah Winfrey – she wrote: “It has happened! Favorite son @willgb3 has found his person and I now have a favorite daughter-in-law to be: The lovely @elisemariesmith!”
“There were a lot of cooks in the kitchen and a lot of planning went into this moment, so here’s some behind the scenes… now just waiting for the date of the wedding!”
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