All about Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, from gospel singer to Ray Charles' wife
Della Beatrice is a gospel singer best known as Ray Charles' ex-wife. While her marriage to the legendary musician dominates the public's perception of her, Della's story goes beyond that. This article explores all about Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's life.
Source: Facebook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Della Beatrice was born in 1929 in Los Angeles, California
- She was the second wife of singer Ray Charles
- They met in Texas in 1954 and married on 5 April 1955
- Della had three children with Ray Charles: Ray Jr., David, and Robert
- Their marriage ended in 1977, attributed to Ray Charles' struggles
Profile summary
Full Name | Della Beatrice Howard Robinson |
Date of Birth | 1929 |
Age | 97 as of 2026 |
Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California |
Nationality | American |
Profession | Gospel singer |
Education | Left school after fourth grade |
Relationship Status | Divorced (from Ray Charles, 1977) |
Children | Ray Charles Robinson Jr., David Robinson, Robert Robinson |
Ex-Husband | Ray Charles (m. 1955–1977) |
All about Della Beatrice Howard Robinson
Della Beatrice was born in 1929 in Los Angeles, California. She is 97 years old as of 2026. Her parents, who had never married, split shortly after her birth, leaving her to be reared by her mother.
Ray Charles' ex-wife grew up on her maternal family's eighty-acre farm. She had her early education in a local school in Richmond. She focused on her studies until 4th grade before taking on household responsibilities.
Despite her modest beginnings, Beatrice found refuge in music, notably gospel music, which would eventually become an important part of her career.
Source: UGC
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's marriages before Ray Charles
Before meeting Ray Charles, Della had been married twice. Her first husband was a minister's son she met after a church service. The marriage was abusive, and she left him.
Her second husband was also a churchgoer and equally violent. She eventually fled to New York City to escape him. She was still legally married to her second husband when she met Ray Charles in Texas in 1954.
A look inside Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's music career
Ray Charles' second wife, Della Robinson, began her professional career as a teenager when she joined Cecil Shaw's church choir. As a member of the choir, she performed in churches, concerts, and on the radio. Her powerful voice quickly attracted attention.
This encounter exposed her to the world of performing and paved the way for her future singing career, finally landing a recording deal and producing many songs. Her songs were made available on compact discs (CDs).
Later, after meeting Ray Charles, she gave up her music career to focus on her family, particularly raising her children.
What is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's net worth?
The American gospel artist's net worth is unknown. Her sources of income are believed to include:
- Divorce settlement from Ray Charles
- Earnings from her gospel music career
She is alleged to have acquired the bulk of her wealth through her divorce settlement with her ex-husband, Ray Charles.
Source: Getty Images
Ray Charles and Della Robinson's relationship
Della Robinson was married to Ray Charles, an American singer, pianist, and songwriter, as his second wife. They met in Texas in 1954 and got married the following year, on 5 April 1955. Their marriage lasted 22 years and ended in divorce in 1977. Charles' struggles with substance addiction and extramarital affairs were attributed to the end of their marriage.
1954: Bea Robinson met Ray Charles
Ray Charles first met Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, his second wife, in 1954 in Texas. Ray Charles was a rising star at the time, having signed with Atlantic Records in 1952. Bea Robinson was an accomplished singer herself. They met at a musical performance where she was singing.
1955: They got married
After courting for a year, Ray married Bea Robinson on 5 April 1955. Their marriage occurred at a watershed moment in Ray Charles' career, as his distinct blend of gospel, R&B, jazz, and blues was beginning to receive widespread recognition.
1955: The couple welcomed their first child
On 25 May 1954, Bea and Ray welcomed their first child, Ray Charles Robinson Jr. Robinson Jr. was born just over a month after their wedding on 5 April 1955.
1958: They had their second kid
Bea Robinson and Ray Charles welcomed their second child, David Robinson, in 1958. Ray had already become a great celebrity, recognised for his passionate performances and revolutionary music. Robinson continued to support his job while raising their expanding family.
1960: Robinson and Ray gave birth to their third child
Bea and Ray had their third child, Robert Robinson, in 1960. Throughout his life, Charles fathered 12 children with 10 different women. Robert was his third and final child with Bea Robinson.
1977: The couple divorced
Ray Charles and Della Beatrice Howard Robinson ended their 22-year marriage in 1977. Their marriage, which began in 1955, eventually succumbed to tremendous strain from various factors in Ray Charles' life, which included drug use, adulterous affairs on tours, and erratic behaviour.
Source: Getty Images
Latest news
In March 2026, Hit Song Productions announced The Della B. Robinson Story, a faith-based biographical film about her life. The film chronicles her journey from gospel singer to Ray Charles' wife. Screenwriter Robert Eisele, known for The Great Debaters, is attached to the project.
Lexi Lewis, executive producer, The Della B. Robinson Story (March 2026) described the film's central message;
Shattered expectations do not mean shattered purpose.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is believed to be alive as of 2026, maintaining a private life in Riverside County, California.
FAQs
- Who is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson? She is renowned for being the second wife of iconic jazz and blues musician Ray Charles.
- Is Bea Robinson a gospel singer? She was a gospel musician before marrying Ray Charles.
- How old is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson? She was born in 1928 and is 97 years old as of 2026.
- Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson still alive? She is still alive. The celebrity wife is believed to be active as of 2026, as there has been no news of her death.
- What happened to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson? She divorced her husband Charles in 1977 because of his addiction and extramarital affairs.
- What is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson's net worth? Her net worth is alleged to be $15 million, and her wealth comes from money she received as part of her divorce settlement.
- Where is Della Robinson now? She allegedly lives in Riverside County and has chosen a quiet life since her publicised marriage to Ray Charles.
- How many wives did Ray Charles have? He was married twice. His first wife was Eileen Williams, and his second wife was Della Beatrice Howard Robinson.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson stepped out of a musical legend's shadow. They were married for 22 years and had three children. Della divorced Ray in 1977 due to his drug use and extramarital affairs. She chose peace and quiet. Today, her legacy extends far beyond a turbulent marriage. She remains a resilient woman of quiet strength.
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Chris Ndetei (Lifestyle writer) Christopher Ndetei is a writer who joined the Yen team in May 2021. He graduated from Machakos Technical College in 2009 with a Diploma in ICT and has over four years of experience in SEO writing. Christopher specialises in lifestyle and entertainment coverage, with a focus on biographies, life hacks, gaming, and guides. He has completed the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques (2023) and earned the Google News Initiative Certificate (2024). In recognition of his work, he was named Yen Writer of the Year in 2024. You can connect with him via email at chrisndetei@gmail.com.
Tatiana Thiga (Lifestyle writer) Tatiana Thiga is a content creator who joined Yen in 2022. She is an English literature graduate from Kenyatta University. She has amassed sufficient knowledge working on a variety of topics, including biographies, fashion and lifestyles, guides, and more. In 2023, Tatiana finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her at tatianathiga@gmail.com
