June Baranco (born Juanita June Powell Baranco in 1949) is a trailblazing African American entrepreneur and former attorney. June Baranco’s life encompasses both corporate leadership and public service. She co-founded the Baranco Automotive Group in Atlanta and later became a civic leader (notably the first African-American woman to chair Georgia’s Board of Regents). Though she made headlines as Bryant Gumbel’s first wife, her own achievements in business and education are what truly define her legacy.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Juanita June “June” Powell Baranco |
| Born | March 19, 1949 (Washington, D.C.) |
| Age | 76 (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Education | B.S. and J.D., Louisiana State University |
| Professions | Corporate Executive, Attorney, Businesswoman |
| Marriages | Bryant Gumbel (m. 1973–2001); Gregory Baranco (m. c.2002) |
| Children | 2 (Bradley and Jillian) |
| Notable Roles | EVP/COO, Baranco Automotive Group; Chair, GA Board of Regents (1995) |
| Awards | Georgia Trustee (2021); Atlanta “Most Admired CEO” (2024) |
Early Life and Background of June Baranco
June Baranco grew up in an era when few African American women held leadership roles. Born in Washington, D.C. in 1949 and raised in Louisiana, she excelled academically. She earned both a Bachelor’s and a law degree from Louisiana State University. After law school, Baranco served as an Assistant Attorney General in Georgia – an impressive feat for a Black woman of her generation. Her ethnicity is African American, and her upbringing instilled values of perseverance and community service. Even early on, she demonstrated the intelligence and drive that would later fuel her success.
- Education: LSU (B.S. and J.D.)
- Early Career: Assistant Attorney General of Georgia
Building the Baranco Automotive Empire
In 1978, Baranco transitioned from law to business by co-founding the Baranco Automotive Group in Atlanta. Alongside her husband, Gregory Baranco, she turned a modest start into an industry powerhouse. The Barancos opened their first car dealership on April 4, 1978 with just $25,000 of their savings – a bold move that paved the way for one of the Southeast’s largest minority-owned dealership groups. This company would eventually include high-end brands like Mercedes-Benz and Acura.
Their business grew rapidly. During economic downturns, June even returned to the Georgia Attorney General’s office to keep the family business afloat. Over time, the Baranco Automotive empire expanded to multiple locations. By 2025, their flagship Mercedes-Benz dealership alone generated over $210 million in annual revenue. This remarkable growth reflects June’s strategic vision and hard work (as well as Gregory’s). In 2024, both June and Gregory Baranco were named Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Most Admired CEOs”, a testament to their entrepreneurial success.
- Co-founded Baranco Automotive (1978)
- One of Atlanta’s first African American-owned dealership groups
- Owned luxury franchises (e.g. Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead) by 2003
- Revenue: $210M+ annually for key dealerships (2025)
- Awards: Atlanta “Most Admired CEOs” (2024)
Advocacy, Education and Public Service
Aside from business, June Baranco became a prominent civic leader. She has been deeply involved in education. After serving on the Georgia State Board of Education, she was appointed by Governor Zell Miller to the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents. In 1995, she made history as the first African American woman to chair the Board of Regents. In that role, Baranco passionately defended programs like affirmative action and worked to keep college accessible to minorities.
Her community impact earned her many honors. In 2021, the Georgia Historical Society named her a Georgia Trustee, the state’s highest honor for public service. She has also supported scholarships and healthcare initiatives in Atlanta. Overall, June’s business accomplishments are matched by her commitment to education and equality.
Personal Life and Family
June Baranco’s personal life has often intersected with her public one. In December 1973, she married Bryant Gumbel, then a rising star at NBC Sports. As Bryant Gumbel’s first wife, June supported his early career while building her own. The couple had two children: Bradley (born 1976) and Jillian (born 1983). They raised Bradley and Jillian in Westchester County, New York, balancing family life with Bryant’s demanding schedule and June’s busy career.
Their marriage eventually faced turbulence. Media reports describe years of marital strife due to Bryant’s infidelities. After living separately for a time, Bryant left the family home in 1997 and the divorce was finalized in 2001. The divorce settlement awarded June about $10 million, roughly half of Bryant’s then-estimated $20 million fortune. She returned to Atlanta and continued running the business with Gregory Baranco.
- Marriage to Bryant Gumbel: 1973–2001
- Children: Bradley Christopher (son, b.1976) and Jillian Beth (daughter, b.1983)
- Divorce: 2001, after 28 years
- Remarriage: After her divorce, June married Gregory Baranco (her business partner).
- Gregory Baranco: Co-founder of Baranco Automotive (see FAQs).
June Baranco now (as of the mid-2020s) serves as Executive Vice President and COO of Baranco Automotive. She remains an influential figure in Atlanta’s business and nonprofit sectors. Her children have largely stayed out of the spotlight: Bradley worked in events and briefly attended college, while Jillian pursued education at Sarah Lawrence College. June lives a private life but occasionally appears at business and charity events.
Legacy and Impact of June Baranco
June Baranco’s legacy is multifaceted. She broke barriers in the auto industry, proving that an African American woman could successfully run a major dealership empire. Her story stands out because many people know her as Bryant Gumbel’s ex-wife, but her own journey is far richer. Today, June is remembered as a mentor to other minority entrepreneurs and a champion of education.
Her example opened doors: many credit her (with Gregory) for paving the way for minority-owned franchises across Georgia. She and her husband invested heavily in community programs, from scholarships for students to health clinics in Atlanta’s underserved areas. As a respected elder in the community, she has inspired new generations of entrepreneurs and leaders.
In short, June Baranco’s legacy is one of resilience and leadership. She transformed a $25,000 investment into a multi-million-dollar family business, all while breaking through the gender and racial stereotypes of her time. Her life shows that you can excel in business and give back, embodying the belief that “successful businesses must serve their communities”. Even after a very public marriage and divorce, she built an independent reputation. Today, her name may not be on a Wikipedia page, but through articles, awards, and the very fact of her achievements, June Baranco remains an inspiring figure.
FAQs
Who is June Baranco?
She is Juanita “June” Baranco, a Louisiana-educated attorney turned business executive. She co-founded the Baranco Automotive Group and once led Georgia’s Board of Regents.
How old is June Baranco?
Born in 1949, she is 76 years old as of 2025.
What is June Baranco’s ethnicity?
June is African American. She and Gregory founded one of Atlanta’s first Black-owned car dealership groups.
What is June Baranco’s net worth?
Her current net worth isn’t publicly known. However, her 2001 divorce settlement gave her about $10 million (half of Bryant Gumbel’s $20M fortune). The Baranco Automotive empire they built has annual sales in the hundreds of millions, indicating she is well-off financially.
Is June Baranco married?
Yes. She divorced Bryant Gumbel in 2001 and later married Gregory Baranco, her business partner. Gregory is a wealthy auto industry entrepreneur (his dealerships make over $200M per year).
Who are June Baranco’s kids?
She has two children with Bryant Gumbel: son Bradley Christopher Gumbel (born 1976) and daughter Jillian Beth Gumbel (born 1983). They have kept largely private lives.
Who is Bryant Gumbel’s wife?
Bryant’s second wife is Hilary Quinlan (since 2002). Hilary Gumbel is an Emmy-winning producer. (She was born around the early 1960s, making her in her 60s, and they have no children together.)
Concluson
June Baranco’s story is one of quiet strength. Yes, you may first hear of her in relation to Bryant Gumbel, but her own accomplishments stand on their own. As June Baranco’s life shows, you can face hardship (as she did during the divorce) and still build a lasting legacy. Today she is celebrated not just as a former celebrity spouse but as a business leader and civic pioneer. Ultimately, her legacy is that of a self-made leader who blazed trails for others, reminding us that determination and integrity can overcome nearly any obstacle.