June Baranco is a woman of many talents. Many people know her name because of her past. She was once married to a famous man on TV. But her story is much bigger than that. She is an artist and a creator. She is a mother and a hard worker. Her life shows us how to stay strong. It shows us how to find a new path when things change. This article looks at her early years and her work. We will see how she built a legacy all her own.
Early Life and Southern Roots
June Baranco was born on June 22, 1948. She grew up in the beautiful city of New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans is a place full of color and music. This city helped her love art. Her father was Joseph Baranco. He was a brave soldier in the U.S. Army. He earned two Purple Hearts for his service. He taught June to be brave and to have discipline.
June’s family was very close. Her mother was named Jeannie. She grew up with a strong sense of who she was. She loved to see the world around her. She noticed the way people dressed. She saw the bright colors of the flowers. These small things became very important to her. They helped her become the artist she is today.
Learning the Way of Art
June knew she wanted to create. She moved to New York to study. She went to the High School of Art and Design. This was a big step for a girl from Louisiana. Later, she went to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). This school is famous for teaching about clothes and style.
June did not stop there. She went back to her roots in the South. She went to Louisiana State University (LSU). In 1971, she graduated with a degree in Fine Art. She spent many years painting with oils and pastels. Her art was a way to show how she felt. It was a way to share beauty with others.
Meeting Bryant Gumbel
In the late 1960s, June met Bryant Gumbel. They met through a friend. At first, they were just friends too. Bryant was just starting his career. He did not have much money then. But June saw that he was very smart. She saw that he had a lot of spark.
They dated for a long time. June lived in Louisiana while Bryant moved to New York for work. She worked as a flight attendant for Delta. She would fly to see him when she could. This was a busy time for both of them. They were young and had big dreams.
A High-Profile Marriage
June and Bryant got married in 1973. The wedding was held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For many years, June stood by his side. Bryant became very famous on shows like “Today.” He was one of the first Black hosts on a major morning show.
While Bryant was on TV, June was busy at home. She stayed out of the spotlight. She wanted a quiet life for her family. They had two children together. Their son is Bradley Christopher, and their daughter is Jillian Beth. June worked hard to give them a normal life. She was a devoted mother who put her kids first.
Life Behind the Scenes
Many people thought June had a perfect life. They saw her on the red carpet. They saw her in nice clothes. But life at home was not always easy. June spent a lot of time alone. Bryant worked very long hours. He traveled a lot for his job.
June focused on her art during these years. She painted in her studio. She also stayed active in her church. Her faith was very important to her. It helped her stay grounded when life felt fast. She was the glue that held the family together.
Facing Hard Times with Grace
Being married to a famous person is not always easy. June faced many trials during her marriage. There were rumors of other women. She also talked about how hard it was to manage money at home. She said her allowance was very small. She had to use her own savings sometimes.
Even when things were tough, she stayed kind. She tried to keep her family together for a long time. She stayed in the marriage for 26 years. She did this because she loved her family. She wanted her children to have a stable home. She showed great patience during these years.
The Divorce and a New Path
In 2001, June and Bryant got a divorce. This was a very public event. Many people talked about it in the news. June was honest about her pain. She said that the end of the marriage felt like a big shock. But she did not let the talk bring her down.
She moved forward with her head held high. She received a settlement that helped her start over. She kept her home in New York. This was a place she loved. It was full of memories and her art. She used this time to find herself again. She went back to the art she loved so much.
The Birth of Geaux Chapeaux Millinery
A new chapter began for June in 2011. Her daughter, Jillian, was getting married. June went shopping for a wedding hat. She saw that the hats were very expensive. She knew she could make something better. She had learned to sew when she was a little girl.
This one hat changed everything. June realized she loved making hats. She started a business called Geaux Chapeaux Millinery. “Geaux” is a word from Louisiana. It shows her love for her home state. She began to make hats for other people. Each hat was a work of art.
The Art of Making Hats
Making a hat is a slow process. June does most of the work by hand. She uses old tools and vintage materials. She looks for rare ribbons on the internet. She also uses lace and feathers. Each piece she makes is unique. No two hats are the same.
She calls her hats “wearable art.” They are not just for keeping the sun away. They are for making a statement. People wear her hats to weddings and horse races. They wear them to church and tea parties. June loves to see the joy her hats bring to women.
Returning to Her Roots
June often goes back to Louisiana. She loves the culture there. She loves the food and the music. She says that New York feels like home, but Louisiana is her soul. She takes part in events in Baton Rouge. She shows her hats at the LSU Rural Life Museum.
These events are very special to her. She gets to see old friends and family. She gets to share her success with the people she grew up with. She is proud of her Southern heritage. It shows in everything she makes.
A Legacy of Style and Service
June Baranco is more than just a hat maker. She is an inspiration. She shows us that you can start over at any age. She uses her business to help others. She works with the LSU Textile & Costume Museum. She helps raise money for art and history.
She believes that art should be for everyone. She gives talks about her work. She encourages young people to follow their dreams. She tells them that hard work is the key to success. Her legacy is one of kindness and creativity.
Staying Strong for Family
June is very close to her children today. Her son Bradley lives a private life. Her daughter Jillian is a yoga teacher. June is very proud of both of them. She says they are her greatest achievement. She taught them to be kind and to work hard.
She also stays close to her brothers and sisters. Family is the most important thing to her. She hosts dinners and holiday parties. She makes sure that everyone feels loved. Her home is a place of warmth and peace.
The Power of Resilience
Resilience means being able to bounce back. June has shown this many times. She bounced back after her divorce. She bounced back after facing health scares. She always finds a way to keep going. She does this with a smile on her face.
She does not spend time being angry about the past. She looks toward the future. She has many more hats to make. She has many more paintings to finish. Her life is full of color and hope. This is what makes her so inspiring.
Her Artistic Style
When June paints, she uses soft colors. She likes to paint people and nature. Her paintings feel calm and peaceful. She uses pastels because they are soft and gentle. She uses oils when she wants to show deep feelings.
Her art and her hats are similar. Both require a lot of detail. Both require a lot of love. June says that when she is creating, she feels at peace. It is her way of talking to the world. It is her way of sharing her heart.
Wisdom for the Future
June has lived a long and full life. She has many lessons to share. One lesson is to never give up. Another lesson is to find what makes you happy. She found her happiness in her art. She found it in her family.
She tells people to be brave. It takes courage to start a business. It takes courage to walk away from a hard situation. June has plenty of courage. She is a role model for women everywhere. She shows that you can be soft and strong at the same time.
A Life of Peace
Today, June lives a life of peace. She still paints and she still makes hats. She is close with her children and her siblings. Her story tells us that true strength is quiet. You do not need to be on TV to be important. You just need to be yourself and work hard.
She enjoys the simple things. She likes to garden. She likes to read books. She likes to spend time with her friends. She has found a balance in her life. She is happy with who she is. She is proud of the life she has built.
Why Her Story Matters
We tell stories like June’s so we can learn. We learn that fame is not everything. We learn that money does not buy happiness. We learn that being a good person is the most important thing. June Baranco is a good person.
Her story will be remembered for a long time. It will be remembered by the people who wear her hats. It will be remembered by the people who see her art. Most of all, it will be remembered by her family. She has left a mark on the world that is beautiful and bright.
The Future of Geaux Chapeaux
June continues to grow her business. She is always learning new things. She looks at new styles and trends. But she always keeps her own unique look. She wants to keep making hats as long as she can. It is her passion and her joy.
She hope that someone will carry on her work one day. She wants the art of hat-making to live on. She wants women to always feel special when they put on a hat. For June, a hat is a crown. It shows that every woman is a queen.
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Final Thoughts on a Remarkable Journey
June Baranco’s life has come full circle. She started in the South with a love for art. She went through a life of fame and change. She ended up back with her art in a new way. She has shown us that life is a journey with many steps.
She has walked her path with dignity. She has never spoken ill of others. She has focused on her own growth. This is the sign of a truly great person. June Baranco is a name we should all know and respect.
Inspiring Facts and Questions
What makes June Baranco an inspiration?
June Baranco is inspiring because she rebuilt her life. After a 26-year marriage ended, she did not give up. She started a successful business in her 60s. She used her creativity to find a new purpose. This shows that it is never too late to start a new chapter.
How did her upbringing affect her work?
Growing up in New Orleans gave her a love for style. Her father’s military service taught her to be disciplined. Her mother and aunt taught her how to sew. All these things came together to help her succeed as a milliner and artist.
What is the goal of Geaux Chapeaux?
The goal is to create beautiful, high-quality headpieces that are affordable. June wanted to make sure women could have lovely hats without spending too much money. She also wants to preserve the art of traditional hat-making.
Where can I see June Baranco’s art?
She often shares her work at local museums in Louisiana. She also posts photos of her hats on social media. Her paintings can sometimes be seen in art galleries in New York and the South.
Is June Baranco still active today?
Yes, June is still very active. She continues to run her business and create new art. She also stays involved in her community and supports local art programs.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. All content is based on publicly available sources and personal opinions, and does not constitute professional advice.
