Gladys Maria Knight, known as the “Empress of Soul”, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. A seven-time Grammy Award-winner, Knight recorded hits through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with her family group Gladys Knight & the Pips, which included her brother Merald “Bubba” Knight and cousins William Guest and Edward Patten.
Who is Gladys Knight’s first husband?
At 16 years old, she became pregnant and married Atlanta musician and classmate James “Jimmy” Newman in 1960. She had a miscarriage; the couple went on to have two children. Newman became a drug addict and abandoned the family when Knight was 20. They remained married for over 12 years until 1973.
Their son, James “Jimmy” Gaston Newman III was born on August 13, 1962. She retired from the road to raise their child while the Pips toured on their own. In November 1963, Knight had her only daughter, Kenya Maria Newman. Later she returned to recording with the Pips to support her family.
