Della Beatrice Howard Robinson lived a quiet life before meeting Ray Charles. She became his second wife in 1955. Their marriage lasted over two decades. She stood by him through his biggest career moments. She was a gospel singer with her own dreams and a soulful voice. But she put her career aside for family.
Della raised Ray’s children while he toured the world with the entertainment industry. She kept the family together during hard times. Few people know her story. She chose to stay out of the spotlight and away from celebrity culture. Her strength and dedication shaped the Charles family behind the scenes. She faced many challenges in their marriage. Yet she remained dignified through it all with grace and endurance. Her story deserves to be told.
Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Della Beatrice Howard Robinson |
| Famous As | Ray Charles’ second wife |
| Birth Year | 1929 |
| Birthplace | Texas, United States |
| Profession | Gospel singer |
| Marriage to Ray Charles | 1955 – 1977 |
| Children | Three sons (David, Robert, Ray Jr.) |
| Known For | Raising Ray Charles’ children |
| Current Status | Lives privately away from spotlight |
| Notable Trait | Strength and dignity during hardships |
Early Life
Della Beatrice Howard was born in 1929 in Texas. She grew up in a religious family with strong Christian values. Music filled her childhood home. Her parents took her to church every Sunday. She learned to sing gospel songs there.
Della had a beautiful voice from a young age. She sang in the church choir as a teenager. Gospel music was her passion and shaped her early life. She dreamed of becoming a professional singer. Her talent was noticed by many in her community.
She moved to Houston as a young woman seeking independence. There she joined local gospel groups. She performed at churches and small events. Her voice brought joy to many listeners. She was building her own music career slowly with hope and determination.
Meeting Ray Charles
Della met Ray Charles in the early 1950s in Houston Texas. He was performing in the city at the time. She went to see his show with friends. His music captivated her instantly. Their eyes met across the crowded room.
Ray was already becoming famous then in American music history. He noticed Della in the audience. He asked to meet her after the show. They talked for hours that night. They shared their love for music and God with mutual respect.
Their connection was immediate and strong. Ray was drawn to her gentle spirit and faith. Della admired his incredible talent. They started seeing each other regularly. Love blossomed quickly between them. Within months, they knew they wanted to marry.
The Wedding
Della and Ray married in 1955. The wedding was a private ceremony. Only close family and friends attended. It was a simple but beautiful event. They exchanged vows filled with love and hope for their future together.
Della became Ray’s second wife that day, stepping into the role of a celebrity spouse. She was ready to support his career. Ray promised to build a life with her. They were both excited about their future together. Gospel music played at their reception, connecting to her roots.
After the wedding, they settled down together. Della moved to be with Ray full-time, embracing motherhood soon after. She knew his career required travel. She accepted the challenges ahead with patience. Their married life was just beginning. She had no idea what struggles awaited her.
Raising Their Three Sons
Della and Ray had three sons together. Their names were David Robinson, Robert Robinson, and Ray Charles Robinson Jr. She devoted her life to raising them with humility and sacrifice. Ray was often away on tour. Della handled most of the parenting alone, becoming essentially a single mother. She made sure the boys had a stable home.
She created routines for her children with dedication. She took them to school every day. She helped with their homework each night. She cooked family meals and kept traditions alive. Her faith guided her parenting style with resilience. She raised them with strong values.
The boys grew up mostly with their mother through their teen years and young adulthood. Ray would visit between tours and recordings. Della never spoke badly about their father to them. She wanted them to respect him. She sacrificed her own dreams for their wellbeing and provided emotional labor daily. Her children were her top priority always.
Life in the Spotlight
Della and Ray divorced in 1977 after a difficult divorce period. Their marriage had lasted 22 years. The divorce was difficult but necessary for her self-preservation. She had to rebuild her life afterward. The media attention was overwhelming at times.
Being Ray Charles’ ex-wife brought unwanted fame in celebrity culture. Reporters wanted to interview her constantly. She refused most media requests with dignity. She valued her privacy above all else. She didn’t want to profit from Ray’s name. She chose dignity over publicity and peace over fame.
Della moved away from the public eye into her post-divorce life. She focused on her sons and herself with self-care in mind. She rarely spoke about Ray to outsiders. She attended some of his events quietly. She supported him from a distance. Her grace during this time impressed many people who knew her quiet courage.
Marriage Troubles
Ray’s constant touring strained their marriage early on, creating emotional strain. He was gone for months at a time. Della felt lonely and abandoned often. She managed everything at home alone with domestic responsibility. The distance between them grew each year.
Ray had extramarital affairs with other women, showing infidelity. These betrayals broke Della’s heart repeatedly, causing deep heartbreak and pain. He fathered children outside their marriage. Della struggled to forgive these betrayals. Her religious faith was tested deeply. The pain became too much to bear for her mental health and wellbeing.
Ray also struggled with drug addiction and heroin addiction. His drug abuse worried Della constantly. She tried to help him get clean. He wasn’t ready to change his ways. The addiction affected their entire family and caused marriage strain. Eventually, Della knew she had to leave and set personal boundaries. She chose her peace over staying married.
Why She Left
Della endured Ray’s infidelity for many years, facing betrayal repeatedly. He had multiple affairs during their marriage. He fathered at least nine children with other women. This broke her heart over and over. She felt disrespected and humiliated. Her patience finally ran out.
Ray’s heroin addiction made things even worse, adding to the emotional hardship. He was arrested for heroin possession in 1965. Della worried about his health constantly. She feared for their children’s future. Ray’s behavior became increasingly unpredictable. The home environment was no longer peaceful or provided comfort.
Della reached her breaking point in 1977 with quiet courage. She filed for divorce after 22 years. She needed to protect herself and her sons. Her faith told her she deserved better and needed self-care. She chose her dignity over staying married. Leaving Ray was the hardest decision she ever made, but necessary for healing.
Life After Divorce
Della focused entirely on her three sons during her later years. She created a calm home for them. She worked hard to give them stability. Her children became her whole world. She rarely dated and never remarried. Her priority was being a good mother and eventually becoming a grandmother.
She returned to her gospel music roots and her Christian faith. She sang in church choirs again. Music brought her peace and healing to her soul. She performed at small local events. She never sought fame or fortune. Singing was for her soul only, finding contentment.
Della built a quiet life away from cameras with financial independence. She surrounded herself with family and faith. She attended church regularly for comfort. Her community supported her through hard times. She found happiness in simple things and maintained a modest lifestyle. Her life became peaceful at last.
Where Is She Now?
Della lives a very private life today as a private person. She is in her mid-90s now. She stays away from all media attention. Very few recent photos exist of her. She prefers complete anonymity and peace.
She spends time with her children and grandchildren with family dedication. Her sons visit her regularly. She enjoys family gatherings and holidays. Her faith remains strong as ever with hope. She attends church when her health allows. Her days are quiet and comfortable.
Della has never written a book about Ray or sold her story. She has never sold her story to tabloids. She protects her privacy fiercely, valuing dignity over publicity. She doesn’t give interviews or public statements. Her silence speaks to her character as a strong woman. She lives with grace and dignity still.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s Net Worth
Della’s exact net worth is not publicly known. She received a divorce settlement from Ray. The amount was never disclosed to media. She also received some alimony payments for financial security. Ray supported his children financially throughout their lives.
Della never pursued Ray’s fortune aggressively. She didn’t fight for a huge settlement. She wanted enough to raise her sons comfortably. She lived modestly after the divorce with a modest lifestyle. She never flaunted wealth or spent lavishly. Her lifestyle remained simple and humble.
Estimates suggest her net worth is modest. Some sources say it’s around $1 million. This includes her divorce settlement and savings. She never worked a high-paying job afterward. Money was never her main concern. She valued peace and family over riches, maintaining financial independence.
Cultural and Historical Context
Della married Ray during the 1950s America civil rights era and racial segregation. Black families faced discrimination everywhere in America. Interracial couples couldn’t marry in many states. Black musicians struggled for respect and fair pay. Ray Charles was breaking barriers in the music industry then.
Women in the 1950s had limited choices. Most wives were expected to stay home. They raised children while husbands worked. Divorce was considered shameful and rare. Society judged divorced women harshly. Della faced these cultural pressures constantly with resilience.
Gospel music was central to African American culture then and soul music traditions. Churches were safe spaces for Black communities. Faith gave strength during difficult times. Many Black women found their voice through gospel. Della came from this rich musical tradition in American music history. Her background shaped her values and choices.
Legacy and Public Memory
Della is rarely mentioned in Ray Charles’ biographies as an unsung hero. Most books focus only on his music career. His romantic relationships are often glossed over. Della’s contributions are largely forgotten by history despite her stabilizing presence. She raised his sons with little recognition.
The 2004 biographical film “Ray” featured Della’s character. Actress Kerry Washington played her role. The film showed some of her struggles. It brought attention to her story briefly. But many details were still left out. Hollywood simplified her complex life as a devoted mother.
Della’s true legacy lives in her children as her private legacy. Her sons remember her strength and sacrifice. They speak of her with deep respect. She taught them faith, dignity, and resilience. Her grandchildren carry her values forward. Her impact is felt through generations as behind every great man stood this remarkable woman.
FAQS
1. Who was Ray Charles married to?
Ray Charles was married to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson from 1955 to 1977, his only legal marriage that lasted 22 years.
2. How many children did Della Robinson raise?
Della raised three sons with Ray Charles: Ray Charles Robinson Jr., David Robinson, and Robert Robinson.
3. Why did Della Beatrice Robinson divorce Ray Charles?
Della divorced Ray due to his chronic infidelity and heroin addiction, which caused ongoing pain throughout their marriage.
4. Did Della Robinson remarry after Ray Charles?
No, Della Beatrice Robinson never remarried and largely lived a private life away from the spotlight after her divorce.
5. What happened to Della Robinson after the divorce?
After divorcing, Della focused on raising her sons privately and stayed out of public attention until her death in 2017.
6. Was Della Robinson in the Ray Charles movie?
Yes, Della was portrayed by actress Kerry Washington in the 2004 biographical film “Ray” starring Jamie Foxx.
7. When did Della Beatrice Robinson pass away?
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson died in 2017, thirteen years after Ray Charles passed away in 2004.
Conclusion
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s story represents the silent strength of a woman who stood beside one of music’s greatest legends while enduring immense personal challenges and emotional hardship. Despite Ray Charles’ infidelities and struggles with addiction, she maintained dignity and grace, dedicating herself to providing stability for their three sons with unwavering family dedication. Her decision to finally leave after 22 years demonstrated remarkable courage and self-preservation in an era when divorce carried significant social stigma. Though she chose to live away from the public eye after their separation, maintaining her values of dignity over publicity, her influence on Ray’s life and legacy remained undeniable. Della’s quiet resilience and dedication to family paint a portrait of a remarkable strong woman whose story deserves recognition beyond her famous husband’s shadow, embodying the phrase “behind every great man” with her sacrificed career for family and devotion as a devoted mother.
Maaz Brand is a content creator specializing in celebrity niches, delivering detailed biographies, net worth insights, and the latest updates from the world of fame.