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Together, they went a long way and continued to give major hits until the late 1970s, when they were forced to record separately due to some legal issues. The same year, when she was eight, she, and her brother Merald, sister Brenda, and some cousins formed a musical group called the Pips (named after another cousin, James “Pip” Woods). Then, she landed minor fame winning for the performance on the televised Ted Mack Amateur Hour. She sang at the singing at the Mount Mariah Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, her hometown. The Pipe Dreams actress made her solo debut when only four. Gladys Knight was born Gladys Maria Knight to her parents Merald Woodlow Knight Sr., a postal worker, and Sarah Elizabeth.Īge 76 as of 2020’s May, Gladys has a sister, Brenda, two brothers, Merald Jr. Keep reading and find out for yourself if she really matched the words in lyrics with her real-life story.ĭiscover More: Sher Suarez Wiki: Age, Plastic Surgery, Job, Height, Parents She joined the Church of the Latter-Day Saints in 1997 with her own son, Jimmy, baptizing her.Also known as the “Empress of Soul”, the American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and the author went on singing that no matter the ups and downs, she has been lucky that the ‘downs’ in her life have been few. The singer, who grew up not far from the school, said that when he left the small town, he was confident that he would come back and give back to the community that raised him.īeyond music and marriage, Knight's spiritual journey is also no secret to her fans. "Empress of Soul" Gladys Knight performs at the 16th Annual Super Bowl Celebration in Arizona in 2015. In 2014, USA Today reported that he planned to transform the Reynolds School property in Canton, North Carolina into a vibrant community center.
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McDowell also appears to have big ambitions beyond music. Knight is a seven-time Grammy Award winner, while McDowell received a nomination from the prestigious award-giving body for Best Gospel Album for his third album, "Withholding Nothing," which was released in 2013. The couple shares the same passion for music and both also enjoy great respect from peers. With McDowell, Knight, who turned 76 last May, seems to have found her happy ever after. They divorced after only two years of marriage. But, again, it ended in a major heartbreak. When she gave love another shot, it was with Les Brown. After this breakup, Knight stayed single for several years. They welcomed a son together, but the singer experienced a failed marriage for the second time when they divorced in 1979. In 1974, the "Midnight Train to Georgia" songstress exchanged wedding vows with Barry Hankerson. He allegedly abandoned her and their children when she was 20. Her first husband was James Newman whom she married in 1960 at the age of 16 and with whom she shares two children.īut her marriage to Newman crumbled in the face of his alleged drug addiction. Knight, who has been married four times, has three children, 17 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. The couple are living the good life in North Carolina. Knight and McDowell tied the knot in 2001, about four years after she divorced motivational speaker Les Brown. One fan wrote, "Beautiful couple right there!" Another chimed in, writing, "Wishing you lots of love." McDowell appears to be new on Instagram with only a little over 1,000 followers and 180 posts as of this writing. In the comments section, fans inundated the couple with praises, well wishes, and heart emojis. The pair is a picture of marital bliss and their fans could not help but gush over their adorable photo together. Soul singer Gladys Knight and William McDowell attend the 2018 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. For his part, McDowell looks dapper in a formal suit and eyeglasses. In the photo, Knight, known as the Empress of Soul, exudes effortless glamor as she wears an intricately designed outfit and sports elegant dangling earrings. He simply captioned the photo, "Living Happy." On September 18, gospel musician William McDowell shared a snap on Instagram showing him and wife, legendary soul singer Gladys Knight smiling at the camera.