Knight, Gladys (1944-)
Item
Title
Knight, Gladys (1944-)
Knight, Gladys Maria (1944-)
Contributor
Raisch, Elly
birthday
1944-05-28
Birthplace
Atlanta, GA
Occupation
Singer
Songwriter
Actor
Businesswoman
Author
Biographical Text
Gladys Knight is a singer known as the "Empress of Soul," due to her performance in the group Gladys Knight and the Pips as well as her solo work. Knight was born to Merald Woodlow Sr. and Sarah Elizabeth Knight, who encouraged her as a child to form a musical group with siblings Bubba and Brenda and cousins Eleanor and William. Called The Pips (later Gladys Knight and the Pips), the group would win several talent shows and charted with 1961 hits "Every Beat of My Heart" and "Letter Full of Tears." While different members joined and left throughout the years, the Detroit-based group continued to be wildly successful throughout the 70s, until recording complications led Knight to explore solo work and acting. Her debut role in the 1976 film Pipe Dreams earned her a nomination for New Star of the Year- Actress at the Golden Globes. However, Knight would remain with The Pips until 1987, when she left to fully pursue solo endeavors. Her albums and singles continued to chart in the top 40, most notably her LP "Good Woman" in 1991. She also continued her acting career, mainly through guest roles sitcoms such as "Benson" and "Living Single". Throughout the course of her career, Knight became highly decorated, winning seven Grammy Awards and receiving both the 2021 National Medal of the Arts and the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors.
Knight was married at 16 to musician James Newman until their divorce in 1973. They had two children, Jimmy and Kenya. A year after her divorce Knight married producer Barry Hankerson, and the two had a son named Shanga Ali. Knight divorced Hankerson in 1979. In 1995, she briefly married motivational speaker Les Brown until their divorce in 1997. In 2001, Knight married her current husband William McDowell. The two now live in Fairview, North Carolina.
Knight was married at 16 to musician James Newman until their divorce in 1973. They had two children, Jimmy and Kenya. A year after her divorce Knight married producer Barry Hankerson, and the two had a son named Shanga Ali. Knight divorced Hankerson in 1979. In 1995, she briefly married motivational speaker Les Brown until their divorce in 1997. In 2001, Knight married her current husband William McDowell. The two now live in Fairview, North Carolina.