Who Is Hilary Quinlan? Meet the Woman Behind Famous TV Star Bryant Gumbel

Hilary Quinlan is the wife of famous TV journalist Bryant Gumbel, but she is much more than just a celebrity spouse. When people hear the name Bryant Gumbel, they think of a famous TV journalist who has been on their screens for many years. But not many people know about the woman who stands beside him. Hilary Quinlan has built her own successful life through her work as a model, business researcher, writer, and helper of children around the world.
Detailed Bio Table
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hilary Quinlan |
| Birth Year | 1963 |
| Age | Around 61-62 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University |
| Previous Jobs | Fashion model, Researcher at Goldman Sachs |
| Current Work | Board member at UNICEF USA, Author |
| Famous For | UNICEF work, Cookbook author, Wife of Bryant Gumbel |
| Husband | Bryant Gumbel (married in 2002) |
| Children | No biological children (stepmother to Bryant’s two children) |
| Net Worth | Around $1-5 million |
Early Life and Education
Hilary Quinlan was born in 1963 in the United States. She spent part of her early life in Africa and Florida. Not much is known about her childhood because she likes to keep her personal life private. Her father was a teacher, and her mother’s name is Sharon Quinlan. Hilary has an older sister, but she has never shared her sister’s name publicly.
Hilary went to Western Washington University, where she got her bachelor’s degree. This education gave her a strong base for her future work in business and helping others. From a young age, she seemed to care about learning and making a difference in the world.
From Model to Business Woman
Hilary started her career in the world of fashion. She worked as a model and appeared in advertisements for well-known brands like Clairol, a famous hair care company. During the 1980s and 1990s, she walked on runways and posed for photos, showing beauty and confidence.
But Hilary wanted more than just a modeling career. She decided to change her path and move into the business world. This was a brave choice because it meant leaving behind the glamour and lights of the fashion industry.
After her modeling days, Hilary worked at several financial companies. Her most important job was at Goldman Sachs, one of the biggest banks in the world. She spent six years there working as a researcher. In this role, she studied markets, looked at investments, and helped the company make smart money decisions. This showed that Hilary was not just beautiful, she was also very smart and could succeed in difficult jobs.
Writing a Cookbook for Children
One of Hilary’s most special projects was creating a cookbook called “Unichef: Top Chefs Unite.” She made this book together with UNICEF, an organization that helps children around the world. The cookbook brought together famous chefs who shared their best recipes.
What made this book special was its purpose. All the money from selling the book went to help children in need. The cookbook became very popular and sold many copies. It was one of the first times a celebrity worked with a charity organization to create something like this.
This project showed Hilary’s creative side and her big heart. She used her connections with famous people to do something good for the world.
Helping Children Through UNICEF
Perhaps Hilary’s most important work is what she does with UNICEF USA. In 2012, she joined the board of directors, which is a group of leaders who help guide the organization. Since then, she has worked hard to help UNICEF reach more people and raise more money.
Hilary’s main job at UNICEF has been to improve how they work with celebrities and famous people. She helped create new ways to get stars involved in supporting children’s causes. Her ideas brought more attention to UNICEF’s work and helped them collect more donations.
Because of her amazing work, Hilary received the Audrey Hepburn UNICEF International Award. This is a special honor given to people who do great things for children. Hilary continues to work with UNICEF, helping children get food, medicine, education, and safety in countries all around the world.
Meeting and Marrying Bryant Gumbel
Hilary met Bryant Gumbel when she was working at an investment banking company. Bryant is a well-known TV journalist and sportscaster who has worked on famous shows like NBC’s “Today” show and HBO’s “Real Sports.”
The two started dating in the early 2000s, after Bryant’s first marriage ended. In December 2001, Bryant asked Hilary to marry him, and she said yes. They got married in August 2002 at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. The wedding was small and private, with only close friends and family attending. This matched Hilary’s personality—she prefers quiet, private moments instead of big public events.
Even though Bryant is very famous, Hilary has managed to stay out of the spotlight. She supports her husband’s work but also keeps doing her own important projects. They have been married for more than 20 years now, showing a strong and healthy relationship based on respect and shared values.
Hilary and Bryant do not have children together. However, Bryant has two grown children from his first marriage. Bradley Christopher and Jillian Beth Gumbel. Hilary has a warm relationship with her stepchildren and is part of their family gatherings.

Net Worth and Financial Success
While Hilary’s exact net worth is not public information, experts believe she has earned between $1 million and $5 million through her various careers. This money comes from her years as a model, her work at Goldman Sachs, and her book sales.
Her husband Bryant Gumbel has a much larger net worth of about $25 million from his long TV career. However, Hilary has always maintained her own financial independence. She built her own success through hard work, showing that she is a strong, independent woman who does not depend on her husband’s money or fame.
Conclusion
Hilary Quinlan is a woman of many talents and strong character. From walking fashion runways to analyzing financial markets, from writing bestselling cookbooks to helping children globally through UNICEF, she has lived a rich and meaningful life.
While many people know her as Bryant Gumbel’s wife, Hilary is so much more than that. She is a successful businesswoman, a creative author, and most importantly, a dedicated helper of children in need. Her choice to stay private while doing public good makes her even more admirable in a world that often rewards fame over substance.
Hilary Quinlan reminds us that true success comes from following your values, working hard, and using your gifts to make the world better not from seeking the spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did Hilary Quinlan marry Bryant Gumbel?
She married Bryant Gumbel in August 2002 at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.
2. What is Hilary Quinlan’s job?
She is a board member at UNICEF USA, a former model, and worked as a researcher at Goldman Sachs bank.
3. Does Hilary Quinlan have children?
No, she has no biological children but is stepmother to Bryant’s two adult children from his first marriage.
4. What book did Hilary Quinlan write?
She created “Unichef: Top Chefs Unite,” a cookbook with UNICEF where all sales help children worldwide.
5. Is Hilary Quinlan on social media?
No, she keeps her life private and does not have public social media accounts.
See more amazing Information visit Fact News



