Hilary Gumbel is a successful businesswoman, author, and charity worker who became well-known as the wife of famous TV journalist Bryant Gumbel. However, her story goes far beyond being a celebrity spouse. She has built an impressive career working in fashion, finance, and helping children around the world through UNICEF. Her life shows how one person can make a real difference through hard work and caring about others.
Quick Bio Table
| Full Name | Hilary Quinlan Gumbel |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1963 |
| Age | 62 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Education | Bachelor’s Degree, Western Washington University |
| Profession | Former Model, Researcher, Author, Producer, Philanthropist |
| Known For | UNICEF USA Board Member, Wife of Bryant Gumbel |
| Husband | Bryant Gumbel (married 2002) |
| Children | Two stepchildren (Bradley and Jillian Gumbel) |
| Notable Work | UniChef: Top Chefs Unite (Cookbook) |
| Awards | Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award (2014) |
| Net Worth | $1-5 million (estimated) |
| Current Residence | New York and Florida |
Early Life and Education
Hilary Gumbel was born in 1963 in the United States. She grew up in a loving family with her parents and an older sister. Her father worked as a teacher, which helped shape her values about education and hard work. Though she spent most of her childhood in America, she also lived in Africa and Florida during her early years.
Hilary attended Western Washington University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. This education gave her the strong foundation she needed for her future career. Even as a young woman, she showed interest in both business and helping others.
From Fashion to Finance
Hilary’s career started in an unexpected place – the fashion world. She worked as a professional model in her younger years. This job taught her about confidence, presentation, and working in front of cameras. However, she wanted to do more with her career.
In 1999, Hilary made a big change. She moved to New York City and entered the world of finance. She worked at Goldman Sachs, one of the most respected investment banks in the world. At Goldman Sachs, she worked as a researcher for six years. This job required strong thinking skills and the ability to understand complex financial information. Her success in this male-dominated field showed her intelligence and determination.
Building a Life with Bryant Gumbel
Hilary met Bryant Gumbel, a famous TV journalist and sportscaster, while she was working in the finance industry. Bryant was already well-known from hosting NBC’s “Today” show for 15 years. When they met, Bryant was going through a divorce from his first wife, June Baranco, whom he had been married to for 28 years.
The couple got engaged in December 2001 and married in August 2002. Their wedding was a small, private ceremony at the beautiful Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. Only 25 close friends and family members attended. This choice showed Hilary’s preference for keeping her personal life private, even though her husband was famous.
Their marriage has now lasted over 20 years. Hilary has been a supportive partner to Bryant, especially when he faced health challenges. In 2009, Bryant had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung. More recently, in October 2025, he was hospitalized with a medical emergency, but Hilary shared that she felt grateful, suggesting he was recovering well.
Making a Difference with UNICEF
Hilary’s most important work has been with UNICEF USA, an organization that helps children around the world. In 2012, she joined the board of directors. Later, she became a senior advisor, helping the organization create better marketing plans and work with celebrities to raise money.
Hilary didn’t just sit in meetings. She traveled to many countries to see UNICEF’s work firsthand. She visited Vietnam, Uruguay, Angola, Peru, Haiti, and Guatemala. These trips helped her understand what children really need and how UNICEF helps them.
In 2013, Hilary created something special – a cookbook called “UniChef: Top Chefs Unite”. She brought together 50 famous chefs to share their recipes. The book became a bestseller, and Hilary donated all her earnings to UNICEF. This project showed her creativity and commitment to helping children.
Her hard work earned her the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award in 2014. This award recognizes people who make extraordinary contributions to help children through charity work.
Life as a Producer
Hilary also worked in television production. She became an Emmy-winning producer with experience in creating content that connects charity work with media. In 2018, she worked as an executive producer for NBC Learn. In 2020, she worked with Peacock TV, focusing on supporting UNICEF’s frontline workers during difficult times.
She even worked with her husband, serving as an associate producer on his HBO series “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” in 2021. This showed how they could work together professionally while maintaining their strong personal relationship.
Family and Personal Life
Hilary doesn’t have biological children of her own, but she is a stepmother to Bryant’s two adult children from his previous marriage. Bradley Christopher Gumbel is Bryant’s son, and Jillian Beth Gumbel is his daughter. Hilary has a warm and supportive relationship with both of them.
The couple lives between New York City and Florida. Despite being married to a famous person, Hilary keeps her life very private. She doesn’t use social media much and rarely gives interviews. She prefers to let her charity work speak for itself.
Hilary enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Her hobbies show she values learning new things and experiencing different cultures.
A Legacy of Kindness and Success
Hilary Gumbel has built a life that balances professional success with helping others. From modeling to finance to charity work, she has shown that you can succeed in many different fields. Her work with UNICEF has helped countless children get better healthcare, education, and opportunities.
With an estimated net worth of $1-5 million, Hilary has achieved financial independence through her own hard work. While her husband Bryant has a net worth of about $25 million, Hilary made her own money and career.
Today, at 62 years old, Hilary continues her work with UNICEF and enjoys her life with Bryant. She remains an inspiration to women who want to build their own careers while supporting important causes. Her quiet strength and dedication to helping children will be remembered as her greatest achievement.
Conclusion
Hilary Gumbel is much more than just the wife of a famous TV journalist. She is a woman who has achieved success in multiple careers – from fashion modeling to finance, and from writing to charity work. Her dedication to UNICEF and helping children worldwide shows her kind heart and strong values. Through her quiet but powerful work, Hilary has made a real difference in many lives. She proves that you don’t need to be in the spotlight to create positive change in the world. Her story inspires us to use our talents and opportunities to help others while building our own success.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old is Hilary Gumbel?
Hilary Gumbel is 62 years old. She was born in 1963 in the United States.
2. What does Hilary Gumbel do for work?
Hilary is a former model, author, and producer. She serves on the board of directors for UNICEF USA and has worked in finance at Goldman Sachs. She is best known for her charity work helping children worldwide.
3. When did Hilary Gumbel marry Bryant Gumbel?
Hilary and Bryant Gumbel got married in August 2002 at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. They have been married for over 20 years.
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