Della Beatrice Howard Robinson gained fame as a celebrity ex-wife for being the second spouse of renowned jazz and blues artist Ray Charles. Their marriage lasted more than two decades before ending due to issues of unfaithfulness and substance abuse.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Details
Full name: Della Beatrice Howard Robinson
Nickname: Bea
Gender: Female
Year of birth: 1929
Age: 95 years (as of 2024)
Place of birth: Los Angeles, CA,
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: African-American
Religion: Christianity
Profession: Gospel singer
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Dark brown
Height: 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Weight: 76 kg (168 pounds)
Sexual orientation: Straight
Marital status: Divorced
Ex-husband: Ray Charles
Kids: 3 (Robert, David, and Ray)
Childhood
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was born in 1929 in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in the United States. Due to her father’s absence and his marriage to another woman in Houston, Bea was primarily raised by her mother. She attended a school in Richmond until fourth grade.
Career
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s journey in the music industry started as a relatively unknown gospel artist. After becoming a member of Cecil Shaw’s church choir, she started showcasing her talent through live shows and radio appearances.
Alongside her church bandmates, she also graced the stages of various theaters and churches. Della’s time was largely spent raising her children, as her husband’s constant music engagements kept him away.
However, she also made time for her own passion as a gospel singer, performing live and on the radio with her fellow church band members. This led to a recording deal and the release of multiple songs, with Della’s face gracing the covers of their CDs.
Personal Life
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson and the iconic jazz musician Ray Charles were married. In 1954, while Bea was in her mid-20s and enjoying success in her gospel music career, she crossed paths with him in Texas.
Their initial encounter took place in a hotel and after a few more meetings, they began a romantic relationship. They tied the knot on April 5, 1955, in a cluttered back room in Dallas, Texas.
The initial years of their marriage were relatively smooth. Ray Charles’ professional success had not yet materialized, and he was facing financial difficulties.
Nevertheless, the pair welcomed their first child, Ray Charles Robinson Jr., in May 1955. Over the next three years, they were blessed with two more children, David Robinson and Robert Robinson.
In 1977, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson ended her marriage with Charles due to his struggles with drug addiction and infidelity.
According to Express, Ray Charles had a total of twelve children. Evelyn, the oldest, was born in 1949 to him and Louise Flowers. His other three children were sons from his union with Bea.
During his six-year marriage, Ray had a romantic relationship with Margie Hendricks and they had a son named Charles Wayne in 1959.
In 1961, he had a daughter named Renee with Mae Mosley Lyles, and in 1963, he had another daughter named Sheila with Sandra Jean Betts.
In 1966, his second daughter, Reatha, was born, followed by another daughter, Alexandra, in 1968 with Mary-Chantal Bertrand. Then, in 1977, a son named Vincent was born to him and Arlette Kotchounian.
Net Worth
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is believed to possess a net worth of $15 million, which comes from the financial compensation she received in her divorce settlement.
Her former spouse had accumulated a considerable fortune throughout his professional life. According to reports, Ray Charles had an estimated net worth of $75 million at the time of his passing in 2004.
Following her divorce, Bea has maintained a low public presence, causing the media to shift its focus away from her and her daily life. This has resulted in a lack of information about her current location.
