The Four Men Who Stole The Empress Of Soul’s Heart: A Deep Dive Into Gladys Knight’s Husbands And Her Current Life In 2025

Gladys Knight, the legendary "Empress of Soul," has had a life as dramatic and soulful as her music, marked by monumental career successes and a deeply personal journey through love and loss. As of December 10, 2025, the music icon is happily married to her fourth husband, William "Billy" McDowell, a union that has lasted over two decades and provided a stable anchor after three previous marriages.

Her romantic history is a compelling narrative of finding love amid the chaos of superstardom, featuring a childhood sweetheart, a powerful music manager, a motivational speaker, and finally, a corporate consultant turned songwriter. This in-depth look explores the four significant men in her life, the children they share, and the recent, high-profile family challenges that have put her current marriage under the spotlight.

Gladys Knight: A Complete Biography and Marriage Timeline

To fully appreciate the context of her personal life, it is essential to understand the timeline of the woman behind "Midnight Train to Georgia."

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• Full Name: Gladys Maria Knight
• Born: May 28, 1944 (Age 81 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
• Nickname: The Empress of Soul
• Career Highlights: Seven-time Grammy Award winner (three with The Pips, four solo), inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Kennedy Center Honoree.
• Children: James "Jimmy" Gaston Newman III, Kenya Maria Newman (from first marriage), Shanga Ali Hankerson (from second marriage).
• Current Residence: North Carolina.
• Estimated Net Worth: Varies, with estimates ranging from $8 million to $28 million, reflecting her monumental career.

1. James "Jimmy" Newman (1960–1973): The Childhood Sweetheart

Gladys Knight's first journey into marriage began at a very young age. She was just 16 years old when she married her high school sweetheart, James "Jimmy" Newman, an Atlanta musician, in 1960.

This long-term relationship, which lasted 13 years, was foundational to her family life. The couple welcomed two children: a son, James "Jimmy" Gaston Newman III, and a daughter, Kenya Maria Newman. The marriage, however, was reportedly tumultuous, with Newman struggling with drug addiction, which ultimately led to their divorce in 1973.

The tragedy deepened when James Newman passed away in 1977, just four years after their divorce, leaving a lasting impact on Knight and her young family.

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2. Barry Hankerson (1974–1979): The Manager and Music Mogul

Just one year after her divorce from Newman, Gladys Knight married her second husband, Barry Hankerson, in 1974. Hankerson was a powerful figure in the music industry, serving as her manager during their time together.

Hankerson is a name with significant weight in R&B history, notably as the uncle and former manager of the late singer Aaliyah. He later founded Blackground Records.

The marriage produced Knight's third child, a son named Shanga Ali Hankerson. The union with Hankerson was also short-lived, ending in divorce in 1979. Their professional relationship was just as impactful as their personal one; some reports indicate that her association with Hankerson led to her eventual separation from her famed backing group, The Pips, as he began managing her solo career.

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3. Les Brown (1995–1997): The Motivational Speaker

After a long period as a single woman focused on her career, Knight married motivational speaker and author Les Brown in 1995.

This third marriage was her shortest, lasting only two years before the couple divorced in 1997. Les Brown is a highly respected figure known for his "You Gotta Be Hungry" philosophy. He later explained that the reason for their separation was a mutual decision, as they chose to grow apart rather than continue a relationship that wasn't working. This brief but high-profile union demonstrated Knight's continued search for a stable, supportive partner.

4. William "Billy" McDowell (2001–Present): The Enduring Love Story

The fourth and current chapter of Gladys Knight’s romantic life began with William "Billy" McDowell. The couple married in April 2001, and their union has proven to be her most enduring, lasting for over two decades.

McDowell, a former corporate consultant, brought a sense of stability and normalcy to her life. He is also a songwriter and has collaborated with Knight on several musical projects, showing a shared professional passion that complements their personal one.

Knight and McDowell currently reside in North Carolina, where they are actively involved in their community. Together, they share a massive blended family, boasting 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, solidifying their role as the patriarch and matriarch of a sprawling lineage.

The Recent Elder Abuse Allegations and Family Drama

Despite the longevity and apparent happiness of her current marriage, the relationship has been thrust into the public eye recently due to significant family conflict. The drama, which has been ongoing for several years, involves her son from her second marriage, Shanga Hankerson.

In a high-profile development in 2024, Shanga Hankerson filed a formal complaint with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, accusing William McDowell of elder abuse. Hankerson claimed that his mother, who is now in her 80s, was showing signs of cognitive decline and that McDowell was exploiting her and forcing her to continue touring against her will.

Gladys Knight has publicly and strongly defended her husband, speaking out against her son's accusations. She has maintained that she is in good health, mentally capable, and that her decision to continue performing is her own, supported by her husband. This latest controversy is part of a larger, long-running dispute between Knight and her son, which previously included a lawsuit over the rights to the "Gladys Knight Chicken and Waffles" restaurant chain, a matter that was eventually settled out of court.

The current situation highlights the complex challenges that can arise in the family dynamics of a celebrity, especially when business and personal lives intersect. Nonetheless, Knight and McDowell continue to present a united front, maintaining that their marriage is strong and their life together is one of mutual support and devotion.

Topical Authority Entities and LSI Keywords

The life of Gladys Knight is intricately woven with a rich tapestry of people, places, and professional endeavors that establish her as a true legend in American music.

• The Pips: Her long-standing and highly successful backing group, which included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and cousins. The group’s hits like "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" are cornerstones of soul music history.
• Empress of Soul: A title earned through her powerful voice, emotional delivery, and decades of influence on the R&B and Soul genres.
• Blackground Records: The record label founded by her ex-husband, Barry Hankerson, which was instrumental in the career of Aaliyah.
• North Carolina: Her current home state with William McDowell, a place she has chosen for stability outside the traditional celebrity hubs.
• Motivational Speaker: The profession of her third husband, Les Brown, a detail that adds a unique flavor to her romantic history.
• James III and Kenya Newman: Her two children from her first marriage, who have largely remained out of the public spotlight compared to their half-brother.
• Shanga Hankerson: Her son involved in the recent elder abuse and restaurant business disputes, a central figure in her recent family drama.
• Corporate Consultant: William McDowell's career background, which contrasts with the music and entertainment industry figures of her previous husbands.
• Seven-Time Grammy Winner: A key career achievement underscoring her musical legacy and enduring success.
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Another major honor cementing her status as a music icon.

Gladys Knight’s four marriages represent four distinct phases of her life, each contributing to the resilient and soulful woman she is today. Her current partnership with William McDowell, despite the recent controversies, stands as a testament to her belief in love and her determination to find lasting happiness.