5 Enduring Secrets Of B.J. Thomas And Wife Gloria Richardson Thomas's 53-Year Marriage

The legendary singer B.J. Thomas, best known for his timeless hits like "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" and "Hooked on a Feeling," left behind a musical legacy that spans pop, country, and gospel genres. As of the current date, the most recent and poignant part of his story revolves around his passing on May 29, 2021, and the remarkable 53-year marriage he shared with his wife, Gloria Richardson Thomas. Their relationship was not just a Hollywood fairy tale; it was an enduring partnership that survived the tumultuous peaks of stardom, a crippling drug addiction, and a profound spiritual awakening.

The strength of the Thomas family unit, anchored by Gloria's unwavering support, became the defining narrative of the second half of B.J. Thomas's life. This deep dive explores the life, career, and personal struggles of the five-time Grammy winner, focusing on the woman who stood by him through it all and the enduring secrets of their decades-long union.

B.J. Thomas: A Complete Biographical Profile

Billy Joe "B.J." Thomas was a celebrated American singer whose career successfully crossed over between pop, country, and contemporary Christian music. His life was defined by both massive professional success and intense personal struggle, which he ultimately overcame with the help of his faith and his wife, Gloria.

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• Full Name: Billy Joe Thomas
• Born: August 7, 1942, in Hugo, Oklahoma, U.S.
• Died: May 29, 2021, in Arlington, Texas, U.S. (Age 78)
• Cause of Death: Complications from Stage IV Lung Cancer
• Spouse: Gloria Jean Richardson Thomas (m. December 1968)
• Children: Three daughters: Paige Thomas (b. 1970), Nora Cloud (adopted from Korea in 1978), and Erin Moore
• Notable Hits: "Hooked on a Feeling" (1968), "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (1969), "I Just Can't Help Believing" (1970), "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" (1975), "Mighty Clouds of Joy" (1977)
• Awards: Five-time Grammy Award winner, including four for Best Inspirational Performance
• Key Collaborations: Burt Bacharach and Hal David (for "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head")

The Turbulent Beginning of B.J. and Gloria's 53-Year Love Story

B.J. Thomas first met Gloria Jean Richardson, a talented singer-songwriter, in Houston, Texas. They married in December 1968, shortly before his career exploded with the release of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" in 1969. This song, featured in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, catapulted him to international fame and earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

The sudden rush of fame, however, was accompanied by a severe personal crisis. Throughout the 1970s, B.J. Thomas struggled with a crippling drug and alcohol addiction that nearly destroyed his life and his marriage. He later described this period as hitting rock bottom, recalling a time when he "almost lost his wife" and was "totally at the bottom".

It was Gloria who ultimately became the catalyst for his recovery and spiritual transformation. In 1975, after years of turmoil, she gave him an ultimatum that led to a profound spiritual awakening. Thomas credited his wife for all the good things that happened to him in his life, acknowledging that she was the one who encouraged him to reconcile with his faith. This pivotal moment not only saved their marriage but also shifted his musical career entirely.

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Gloria Richardson Thomas: The Songwriter and Unsung Hero

Gloria Richardson Thomas was far more than just the supportive wife of a famous singer; she was a creative force in her own right. A singer-songwriter, Gloria’s own talents contributed directly to B.J. Thomas’s success, particularly in his successful transition to the country music charts in the late 1970s and 1980s.

One of her most notable songwriting credits is the hit single "New Looks from an Old Lover," which B.J. Thomas recorded. This song, which reached the top of the country charts, symbolically reflected the renewal and reconciliation that had taken place in their marriage. Her influence extended beyond just writing music; she was instrumental in helping him transition into the contemporary Christian music space after his spiritual rebirth.

This shift led to B.J. Thomas winning four Grammy Awards for Best Inspirational Performance between 1977 and 1981, with hits like "Home Where I Belong". The success of his gospel albums, like Home Where I Belong, cemented him as a major figure in the genre, directly stemming from the personal and marital transformation Gloria inspired.

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The Legacy of Faith, Family, and Enduring Music

The enduring marriage of B.J. and Gloria Richardson Thomas, which lasted 53 years until his death, is a testament to perseverance and commitment. They raised three daughters—Paige, Nora, and Erin—and later became grandparents, cherishing the family life that B.J. Thomas once thought he had lost.

B.J. Thomas’s musical legacy is vast, encompassing the classic pop of "Hooked on a Feeling," the cinematic charm of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," the country success of "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song," and the theme song for the popular 80s TV show Growing Pains, "As Long As We Got Each Other." His ability to successfully navigate multiple genres—pop, country, and gospel—was unique, but the underlying theme of redemption and hope, inspired by his wife and faith, is what connects them all.

When B.J. Thomas passed away in May 2021 from lung cancer, he was surrounded by his family at his home in Arlington, Texas. His final years were spent celebrating his sobriety, his faith, and his family, a life he credited Gloria with helping him reclaim. The story of B.J. Thomas is ultimately a story of second chances, proving that even a celebrity marriage can withstand the deepest crises when built on a foundation of love and mutual commitment.