Katie Couric Recalls Sexist Treatment During Maternity Leave on Today Show

Katie Couric, the renowned journalist, recently shared a candid insight into her past experiences during her tenure at NBC‘s Today show. During a conversation on a podcast with Bill Maher, Couric reminisced about the sexist attitude she faced while on her first maternity leave in 1991.

One memorable incident involved her co-anchor at the time, Bryant Gumbel, who jokingly chided Couric for taking time off to have her first child, displaying what she described as an ‘incredibly sexist attitude.’

Couric revealed that Gumbel quipped about her maternity leave, suggesting she should ‘drop it in the field and come back to work right away or something.’ While she acknowledged the jesting nature of his remarks, she highlighted how they underscored a broader issue of sexist treatment in the workplace.

The conversation was prompted by Maher’s reference to Gumbel as a ‘guy’s guy,’ to which Couric responded positively, praising Gumbel’s broadcasting talent and eloquence while acknowledging his complex personality.

Bryant Gumbel, a veteran broadcaster, and Couric worked together on Today from 1991 to 1997, where they shared the anchor desk. Couric also mentioned her other colleague at the time, Matt Lauer, who has since faced allegations of sexual misconduct.

Reflecting on the work environment of that era, Couric noted the prevalence of what she described as ‘lots of fraternization,’ hinting at a culture of inner-office relationships. Maher concurred, highlighting the challenges women like Couric and Barbara Walters faced in navigating such dynamics.

The conversation delved into the broader theme of gender dynamics in the industry, with Couric and Maher agreeing that women of that generation had to contend with subtle yet pervasive ‘microaggressions.’ They emphasized the resilience and tenacity required to thrive in a male-dominated field.