June Baranco is an American artist, fashion designer, and businesswoman from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Born on June 22, 1948, she has built a creative career through painting, handmade hats, and design.
She became widely known through her marriage to television journalist Bryant Gumbel. However, her artistic achievements, Geaux Chapeaux business, and dedication to traditional craftsmanship have also brought attention to her life.
This biography explores June Baranco’s childhood, education, professional career, marriage, children, divorce, and personal life. It also covers her artistic achievements, business journey, financial background, and life after separation from Bryant Gumbel.
Quick Bio
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | June Carlyn Baranco |
| Popular Name | June Baranco, June Gumbel |
| Date of Birth | June 22, 1948 |
| Age (2026) | 78 years old |
| Birthplace | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Artist, Hat Designer, Entrepreneur |
| Education | Louisiana State University |
| Degree | Bachelor of Fine Arts |
| Other Studies | Parsons School of Design, Art Students League of New York, Pierce College |
| Art Skills | Oil Painting, Pastel, Watercolor, Woodcut |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Bryant Gumbel |
| Marriage Year | 1973 |
| Divorce Year | 2001 |
| Children | Bradley Christopher Gumbel, Jillian Beth Gumbel |
| Business | Geaux Chapeaux |
| Known For | Art Career and Former Marriage to Bryant Gumbel |
| Residence | New York City Area, USA |
| Net Worth | Exact amount not disclosed |
June Baranco’s Childhood and Family Roots
June Carlyn Baranco was born on June 22, 1948, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She spent her childhood surrounded by Southern traditions, family values, and a strong appreciation for creative activities and art.
Her early interest in creativity appeared through drawing, sewing, and clothing design. Her aunt Eura taught her hand sewing, helping her develop practical skills that later became important in her professional career.
When June turned ten, her parents gave her a sewing machine. This gift encouraged her artistic interests and helped build the foundation for her future work in fashion and handmade designs.
How Old Is June Baranco in 2026?
June Baranco is 78 years old as of November 2026. She was born on June 22, 1948, and her zodiac sign is Cancer. Her hometown is Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Growing up during a period of major social change in America gave June a unique cultural background. She developed her interests while traditional crafts and modern artistic styles continued to evolve.
Even in her later years, her creative journey remains an important part of her identity. Her work reflects decades of learning, artistic practice, and an appreciation for handmade craftsmanship and design.
June Baranco’s Education and Art Studies
June developed her artistic abilities through formal education and personal practice. She attended New York’s High School of Art and Design before continuing her studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1971. Her education included painting and drawing, helping her understand color, shape, composition, and the technical skills needed for professional visual art.
June also studied at Parsons School of Design, the Art Students League of New York, and Pierce College. Training with artists Daniel Greene and Nelson Shanks further strengthened her interest in realistic artwork.
Her Journey as a Professional Artist
June Baranco has worked with several artistic techniques, including oil painting, watercolor, pastel, and woodcut printing. Her work often focuses on realistic details, careful observation, and thoughtful use of colors.
Her artistic experience also includes pottery, stained glass, printmaking, and clothing design. These different creative fields allowed her to explore materials and develop skills beyond traditional painting and drawing.
Her artwork has been exhibited in New York, Connecticut, California, Louisiana, and Great Britain. Her career reflects a lasting commitment to art, personal expression, and the development of traditional creative techniques.
The Beginning of Her Hat Design Business
June Baranco founded Geaux Chapeaux after discovering a new interest in professional hatmaking. The idea developed in 2011 while she was shopping for wedding accessories with her daughter, Jillian.
The available bridal headpieces did not match the design she wanted. Instead of choosing an existing product, June decided to create something herself using her sewing experience and artistic knowledge.
This experience encouraged her to explore millinery, the craft of making hats. Her interest in vintage fashion helped shape Geaux Chapeaux into a business focused on original, handmade hats and headpieces.
What Makes Geaux Chapeaux Special?
Geaux Chapeaux is June Baranco’s custom hat business based in Westchester County, New York. The studio creates handmade hats, bridal accessories, and decorative headpieces for people seeking individual designs.
June works with materials such as felt, straw, ribbon, feathers, fabric, and vintage decorations. She uses traditional hat blocks and special tools to shape designs and create detailed fabric flowers.
The business name also reflects her Louisiana background. “Geaux” is a familiar Louisiana spelling of “go,” while “chapeaux” means hats in French. Together, they create a memorable brand identity.
June Baranco’s Marriage to Bryant Gumbel
June Baranco met Bryant Gumbel during the late 1960s. She was working as a flight attendant, while Bryant was developing his career in journalism. Their relationship eventually became a serious commitment.
The couple married in 1973 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As Bryant became a successful television personality, their family attracted public attention, especially during his years working on NBC’s Today show.
Their marriage lasted for nearly three decades. During that time, June continued her artistic interests while managing family responsibilities and experiencing the challenges of life connected to a famous broadcaster.
Who Is June Baranco’s Former Husband?
Bryant Gumbel is an American television journalist and sportscaster born on September 29, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He became widely recognized through his work on NBC’s Today show.
He later hosted HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, a program known for detailed sports reporting and interviews. His broadcasting career brought him several professional honors and national recognition.
Bryant retired from Real Sports in 2023. He later married Hilary Quinlan following his divorce from June. Although their lives took different directions, their former marriage remains part of June’s public biography.
June Baranco’s Children and Family Life
June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel have two children, Bradley Christopher Gumbel and Jillian Beth Gumbel. Both children were raised during a period when their father’s television career was becoming increasingly successful.
June devoted considerable attention to motherhood while maintaining her interest in art. She valued family life and worked to balance her responsibilities at home with her personal creative ambitions.
Her daughter Jillian also played an important role in June’s later business journey. Their wedding shopping experience in 2011 inspired the handmade headpiece that helped launch her professional hatmaking career.
Why June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel Separated
June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel experienced marital difficulties after many years together. Reports surrounding their separation discussed alleged infidelity, personal disagreements, and financial tensions within their relationship.
These problems eventually led to divorce proceedings that received media attention because of Bryant’s public career. The separation marked the end of a marriage that had lasted almost thirty years.
June handled this period while continuing to focus on her family and future. After the relationship ended, her creative interests became an increasingly important part of her independent professional life.
Divorce Settlement and Financial Changes
June Baranco and Bryant Gumbel divorced in 2001. Their legal separation involved the division of marital assets accumulated during their long relationship, including valuable property and other financial interests.
Reports about the settlement discussed properties connected to Westchester County and New York City. The financial arrangements became a subject of public interest because of Bryant’s successful television career.
Following the divorce, June continued developing her own interests and professional opportunities. Her later business activities helped establish an identity based on artistic ability rather than her former husband’s career.
Building a New Life After Divorce
Following her separation, June Baranco dedicated more attention to her creative work. Painting, design, and handmade crafts offered opportunities to develop her talents and establish new professional goals.
Her decision to explore hatmaking eventually led to Geaux Chapeaux. The business combined her childhood sewing experience, formal art education, and appreciation for classic fashion into a new creative direction.
June’s later career demonstrates how artistic interests can develop throughout life. Instead of limiting herself to one profession, she continued exploring different materials, techniques, and opportunities for personal expression.
Her Artistic Recognition and Smithsonian Appearance
June’s artwork has appeared in exhibitions across several American states and Great Britain. Her creative experience includes painting, printmaking, decorative art, and handmade fashion pieces that reflect her technical training.
In 2026, a leather hat by June Gumbel appeared in the Smithsonian exhibition More Than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids. The exhibition ran from January 30 through April 26.
Held at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the exhibition connected nature, artistic expression, and cultural history. June’s featured hat brought her millinery work into a major museum setting.
Art Groups and Community Activities
June Baranco has been associated with professional art organizations, including the Salmagundi Club, Portrait Society of America, and Artist Fellowship of New York. These organizations support artists and creative development.
Her involvement in artistic communities reflects an interest in learning and professional connections. Exhibitions, workshops, and other creative activities provide opportunities for artists to exchange ideas and improve their skills.
Her work has also included a woodcut connected to Boston’s African Meeting House. This project reflects her interest in using visual art to explore history, heritage, and meaningful cultural subjects.
June Baranco’s Wealth and Sources of Income
June Baranco has built her financial life through her art career, business activities, and divorce settlement. Her exact net worth remains undisclosed, but her financial background includes valuable property and personal assets.
Following her divorce from Bryant Gumbel in 2001, June received a share of their marital assets. The settlement involved properties in Westchester County and New York City, contributing to her financial independence.
She also earns income through her artwork and Geaux Chapeaux, her handmade hat business. Her experience in painting, fashion design, and custom headwear has helped her build a creative career.
Is June Baranco Married Again?
June Baranco has maintained a private personal life since her divorce from Bryant Gumbel in 2001. Her later public profile has focused mainly on her art, family, and handmade hat business.
Her biography does not include a subsequent marriage. Instead, her professional activities and creative achievements have remained the main subjects of public attention during the years following her separation.
Her former husband married Hilary Quinlan, while June continued pursuing her own interests. Their separate paths reflect the different personal and professional directions they followed after ending their marriage.
Where Is June Baranco Living Today?
June Baranco is associated with the New York City area, where she has continued her artistic activities. Her hatmaking studio, Geaux Chapeaux, operates in Westchester County, New York.
Her professional work includes custom headwear, visual art, and designs influenced by vintage fashion. She continues to be recognized for her artistic background and her connection to Bryant Gumbel.
Her appearance in the 2026 Smithsonian exhibition also brought renewed attention to her creative achievements. Her story remains closely connected to Louisiana traditions, art education, and handmade fashion design.
Final Thoughts
June Baranco’s biography reveals a life shaped by creativity, family, and personal independence. Although her marriage to Bryant Gumbel introduced her to public attention, her artistic career deserves recognition.
From learning to sew as a child to establishing Geaux Chapeaux, she has continued developing her creative abilities. Her paintings, handmade hats, and museum exhibition reflect her dedication to craftsmanship.
At 78, June Baranco’s journey offers an example of lifelong artistic growth. Her story shows how education, practical skills, and personal interests can develop into meaningful professional achievements over time.
FAQs
Who is June Baranco?
June Baranco is an American visual artist, entrepreneur, and hat designer. She is widely known as the former wife of television journalist Bryant Gumbel. She also owns Geaux Chapeaux, a business that creates handmade hats.
How old is June Baranco in 2026?
June Baranco is 78 years old as of 2026. She was born on June 22, 1948, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. She spent her early years developing an interest in art and design.
Who was June Baranco married to?
June Baranco was married to famous American television journalist Bryant Gumbel. The couple married in 1973 and divorced in 2001 after approximately 28 years together. They have two children from their marriage.
What is June Baranco’s net worth?
June Baranco’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Her financial background includes her work as a professional artist, her handmade hat business called Geaux Chapeaux, and assets received following her divorce.
Where is June Baranco now?
June Baranco lives a private life in the New York City area. She is known for her creative work, including painting and handmade hat design. Her business, Geaux Chapeaux, operates in Westchester County.
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