The Bitter Truth: Inside Gladys Knight's Multi-Million Dollar Family Dispute And Elder Abuse Claims

The legendary "Empress of Soul," Gladys Knight, has found herself at the center of a painful and public family feud that has escalated dramatically as of late 2024 and into 2025. This complex dispute, which has played out in courtrooms and the press, involves her son, Shanga Hankerson, and her current husband, William McDowell, touching on everything from a multi-million dollar business failure to shocking accusations of elder abuse.

The core of the conflict is a devastating split between the soul icon and her eldest son, initially sparked by the spectacular collapse of their joint restaurant venture, "Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles." The tension has recently reached a boiling point with allegations concerning Knight's cognitive health and the management of her finances, forcing the 81-year-old singer to publicly defend her well-being and her marriage.

Gladys Knight: Complete Biography and Family Profile

Gladys Maria Knight, known globally as the "Empress of Soul," has had a career spanning over seven decades, marked by iconic hits like "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." Her personal life, however, has been punctuated by complex family dynamics that have recently spilled into the public eye.

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• Full Name: Gladys Maria Knight
• Born: May 28, 1944
• Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
• Parents: Elizabeth (née Woods) and Merald Knight, Sr.
• Career Highlights: Lead vocalist of Gladys Knight & The Pips; seven-time Grammy Award winner; Kennedy Center Honoree; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
• Spouses:
  • James Newman (m. 1960; div. 1971)
  • Barry Hankerson (m. 1974; div. 1979)
  • Les Brown (m. 1995; div. 1997)
  • William McDowell (m. 2001–present)
• Children:
  • James "Jimmy" Newman III (with James Newman)
  • Kenya Newman (with James Newman)
  • Shanga Ali Hankerson (with Barry Hankerson)
• Key Entities in Dispute: Shanga Hankerson (son) and William McDowell (current husband).

The "Chicken and Waffles" Empire Collapse: A Multi-Million Dollar Legal Battle

The first major public rift in the Knight family centered on the "Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles" restaurant chain, a venture established by Knight and her son, Shanga Hankerson, in 1997. The dispute, which began around 2016, was strictly a business and legal matter, but it laid the groundwork for the current personal conflict.

Shanga Hankerson's Tax Evasion and Prison Sentence

The restaurant's financial troubles became public when Shanga Hankerson, the former owner, was arrested on charges of criminal tax evasion. Authorities alleged that Hankerson misappropriated funds and failed to remit over $1 million in sales and withholding taxes to the state of Georgia.

In a significant legal development, Hankerson pleaded guilty to the charges. He was subsequently sentenced to prison and ordered to serve a year of supervised release following his term. Crucially, he was also mandated to pay over $1 million in restitution for the unpaid taxes.

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Knight Sues to Remove Her Own Name

The scandal surrounding the restaurant severely damaged Gladys Knight's reputation, prompting her to take drastic legal action against her own son. In 2016, Knight filed a federal lawsuit against Hankerson and his associated companies, including Rival Group LLC, Cascade Foods LLC, and Granite.

The lawsuit sought to terminate the licensing agreement and force the removal of her name and likeness from the eateries. Knight argued that the failing business and Hankerson's criminal activity were tarnishing her brand and legacy, which she had spent decades building. The court ultimately ruled in her favor, forcing the restaurants to cease using the "Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles" name.

The Shocking Elder Abuse Claims Against Her Husband, William McDowell

The family dispute took a much more serious and personal turn in late 2024 when Shanga Hankerson publicly accused his mother's current husband, William McDowell, of elder abuse. This allegation introduced a new, emotionally charged dimension to the existing legal and financial tensions.

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The Basis of Hankerson's Accusations

Hankerson's complaint, reportedly filed in North Carolina, alleged that William McDowell was mentally and financially abusing the "Midnight Train to Georgia" singer. The son raised concerns about his mother's cognitive health, claiming that McDowell was overworking the 81-year-old artist and forcing her to perform despite signs of cognitive decline.

The core intention behind the complaint appeared to be a challenge to Knight’s husband's control over her affairs, implying that the soul legend was being exploited for financial gain.

Gladys Knight's Public and Firm Denial

In a powerful and immediate response, Gladys Knight publicly refuted every claim made by her son. She released statements emphasizing her health, happiness, and independence. Knight directly addressed the accusations, stating that she is "healthy, happy, and financially secure."

She stood firmly by her husband, William McDowell, whom she married in 2001, dismissing her son’s actions as part of a long-running, strained relationship. The public denial by the "Empress of Soul" herself suggests a deep and possibly irreparable fracture in the mother-son relationship, forcing the public to question whether the accusations stem from genuine concern or a continuation of the family’s bitter legal history.

The Impact on a Legacy: Family Feud vs. Public Perception

The ongoing family dispute has placed a spotlight on the pressures faced by aging celebrities, particularly regarding their finances, health, and personal relationships. Gladys Knight's steadfast denial of the elder abuse claims, coupled with her continued public appearances and performances, serves as a powerful counter-narrative to her son’s allegations.

While the business conflict over "Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles" was a matter of professional integrity and legal liability, the current accusations of elder abuse touch the heart of her personal life and well-being. This latest chapter highlights the complex and often painful reality of family tension when immense wealth and a global legacy are involved. As of 2025, the legal and personal drama continues to unfold, leaving fans to hope that the "Empress of Soul" can find peace amid the ongoing turmoil.