The Bitter Family Feud: Everything To Know About Gladys Knight's Disputes With Son Shanga Hankerson

The family drama surrounding the "Empress of Soul," Gladys Knight, is far more complex and troubling than most fans realize, involving a multi-million dollar business failure, a federal lawsuit, and shocking allegations of elder abuse. The long-running dispute centers primarily on her son, Shanga Hankerson, and the fallout from the failed restaurant chain, “Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles.” As of late 2024, the situation remains a painful chapter for the legendary singer, who has had to publicly defend her health and her current marriage amidst her son's legal troubles and accusations.

The core of the family rift has evolved from a business disagreement over brand licensing into a deeply personal conflict that has played out in public, with Knight fighting to protect her iconic name and reputation. The most recent development involves serious allegations against her current husband, which Knight has vehemently denied, painting a picture of a family struggling with legal and personal turmoil.

Gladys Knight: A Legendary Profile and Family Tree

Gladys Maria Knight, known globally as the "Empress of Soul," is one of music's most enduring and respected figures. Born on May 28, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, her career spans over seven decades, beginning with her family group, Gladys Knight & The Pips, who delivered timeless classics like "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine."

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Key Biographical Details:

• Full Name: Gladys Maria Knight
• Born: May 28, 1944 (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Parents: Merald Knight Sr. and Elizabeth Woods
• Spouses:
  • James Newman (m. 1960; div. 1973)
  • Barry Hankerson (m. 1974; div. 1979)
  • Les Brown (m. 1995; div. 1997)
  • William "Billy" McDowell (m. 2001–Present)
• Children: James "Jimmy" Newman III, Kenya Newman, and Shanga Ali Hankerson.
• Career Highlights: Seven-time Grammy Award winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (with The Pips), and a National Medal of Arts recipient.
• The Pips: The group included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and cousins William Guest and Edward Patten.

The Infamous 'Chicken and Waffles' Lawsuit and Tax Fraud Scandal

The most public and prolonged aspect of the Gladys Knight family dispute began with the restaurant chain, "Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles." While the restaurant was initially a source of pride, its operation under the management of her son, Shanga Hankerson, quickly led to a legal and financial nightmare.

The Rise and Fall of the Atlanta Eatery

The first "Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles" opened in Atlanta in 1997. Gladys Knight licensed her name, likeness, and memorabilia to her son, Shanga Hankerson, for use in connection with the restaurants. The chain quickly gained popularity, becoming a staple in the Atlanta dining scene. However, underlying financial mismanagement soon came to light.

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Gladys Knight Sues Her Own Son

The situation reached a breaking point in 2016 when the Georgia Department of Revenue raided the restaurants. Shanga Hankerson was subsequently charged with theft, specifically for allegedly stealing over $650,000 in sales and withholding taxes owed to the state. The total amount, including penalties and interest, exceeded $1 million.

Facing irreparable damage to her iconic brand, Gladys Knight filed a federal lawsuit against her son and his restaurant companies (Rival Group LLC, Cascade Foods LLC, and Granite Food LLC). The lawsuit sought to have her name removed from the eateries, arguing that the failing business and the legal scandal were severely tarnishing her reputation. The "Empress of Soul" was forced to take a public stand to protect her legacy from her own son's actions.

The Legal Aftermath and Shanga Hankerson’s Sentencing

The lawsuit between mother and son eventually reached a settlement. However, the criminal charges against Shanga Hankerson proceeded. The most significant update came when Hankerson was sentenced to prison for willful failure to remit payroll taxes.

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In addition to prison time, the former Atlanta restaurateur was ordered to pay restitution of $1,039,310.65. This sentencing closed the legal chapter on the "Chicken and Waffles" scandal, confirming the severity of the financial crimes that dragged the legendary singer's name through the mud.

The Shocking Elder Abuse Allegations Against Her Husband

Despite the resolution of the restaurant lawsuit, the family dispute flared up again with a new, deeply personal and more volatile set of claims. In a separate legal maneuver, Shanga Hankerson accused his mother's current husband, William “Billy” McDowell, of elder abuse.

The Nature of the Claims

Hankerson's claims alleged that William McDowell was mentally and financially abusive toward Gladys Knight. These accusations surfaced as Knight, who is in her early 80s, continued her active touring and performing schedule. The claims suggested a troubling situation behind the scenes of the singer's seemingly happy public life.

Gladys Knight’s Public Refutation

In a powerful move to set the record straight and reassure her millions of fans, Gladys Knight publicly and vehemently disputed her son's claims. She released statements assuring the public that she was "healthy and happy".

She made it clear that her son’s allegations were unfounded, choosing to stand by her husband, William McDowell, whom she married in 2001. This public denial highlighted the deep schism in the family, placing Knight in the difficult position of defending her marriage against accusations made by her own child.

The Enduring Legacy vs. The Family Turmoil

The ongoing saga of the Gladys Knight family dispute is a stark illustration of how personal and business conflicts can intersect, even for a global icon. The two central disputes—the business fraud that led to her son's incarceration and the personal allegations of elder abuse—have tested the boundaries of her public and private life.

While the legal issues surrounding "Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles" have been resolved with a settlement and the sentencing of Shanga Hankerson, the emotional wounds remain. Gladys Knight continues to perform, focused on her musical legacy and humanitarian work, while simultaneously navigating the complexity of a family divided by legal trouble and deeply felt accusations. Her unwavering public stance—protecting her name from financial ruin and defending her marriage against personal attacks—underscores her determination to preserve her integrity and happiness in her later years.