Ray Charles is remembered as one of the most influential musicians in history. His voice defined a generation, mixing gospel, blues, and jazz into a sound that changed music forever. However, behind the dark glasses and the piano, there was a personal life filled with both love and turmoil. At the center of that life for more than two decades was one woman: Della Beatrice Howard Robinson. While the world watched Ray Charles perform, she was the steady force raising his children and managing a household under intense pressure. This article explores the life of the woman who knew the man behind the music best.
Quick Bio of Della Beatrice Howard Robinson
| Feature | Detail |
| Full Name | Della Beatrice Howard Robinson |
| Nickname | “Bea” |
| Birth Year | 1929 (Approximate) |
| Birth Place | Texas, USA |
| Current Age | 96 Years Old (as of 2025) |
| Famous As | Ray Charles’ Second Wife |
| Nationality | American |
| Marital Status | Divorced (1977) |
| Spouse | Ray Charles (m. 1955–1977) |
| Children | Ray Jr., David, Robert |
| Religion | Christian |
| Hair Color | Black / Gray |
| Current Residence | California, USA |
Who Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson?
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is best known as the second wife of the legendary singer Ray Charles. While Ray had many relationships, his marriage to Della was his longest and most significant. She was not just a partner but a key figure who witnessed his rise from a struggling artist to a global superstar.
Born in the United States around 1929, she came from a humble and religious background. Before meeting Ray, she was deeply involved in the church and found joy in singing gospel music. This shared love for music is what initially drew the couple together. However, her life as Ray Charles’ wife, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, would eventually become a mix of glamour, heartbreak, and resilience.
Early Life and Background
Very little information is publicly available about the early years of Della Beatrice Howard Robinson. Unlike her famous husband, she never sought the spotlight for herself. It is known that she was born in Texas and raised in a community where faith played a central role.
As a young woman, she sang in a gospel choir. This detail is important because Ray Charles himself drew heavy inspiration from gospel music to create his signature “soul” sound. When they met, she was a woman of strong principles, grounded in her faith. This contrast to Ray’s chaotic lifestyle on the road created a strong attraction between them.
Meeting Ray Charles
The love story began in 1954 in Texas. Ray Charles was touring the country, slowly building his name in the music industry. During a visit to Texas, he met Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, who was then in her mid-20s.
Ray was captivated not just by her beauty but by her voice and her gentle nature. They fell in love quickly. At the time, Ray was already divorced from his first wife, Eileen Williams. His first marriage had been brief and ended without children. With Della, he found a deeper connection.
On April 5, 1955, the couple got married in a small, private ceremony in Dallas, Texas. At the start of their marriage, money was tight, and Ray was still working hard to break into the mainstream. Della Beatrice Howard Robinson supported him during these early, uncertain years, believing in his talent before the rest of the world caught on.
A Marriage in the Spotlight
For the first few years, the marriage was happy. Della Beatrice Howard Robinson and Ray moved to Los Angeles, where they bought a home. As Ray’s fame skyrocketed with hits like “I Got a Woman” and “What’d I Say,” the family enjoyed the fruits of his success.
However, being married to a traveling musician was difficult. Ray was on the road for months at a time, leaving Della alone to manage their home and family. Despite the distance, she tried to maintain a normal life for their children. She was known to be a strict but loving mother who wanted her sons to grow up with good values, shielded from the wild lifestyle of the entertainment industry.
The Children of Della and Ray
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is the mother of three of Ray Charles’ children. All three are sons:
- Ray Charles Robinson Jr. (Born in 1955)
- David Robinson (Born in 1958)
- Robert Robinson (Born in 1960)
Raising three boys largely on her own was a challenge. Her eldest son, Ray Charles Robinson Jr., later wrote a book titled You Don’t Know Me: Reflections of My Father, Ray Charles. in this book, he praised his mother’s strength. He described Della Beatrice Howard Robinson as the backbone of the family, a woman who protected her children even when her own heart was breaking.
Margie Hendricks and the Affairs
The most painful part of the marriage for Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was her husband’s infidelity. Ray Charles was notorious for his relationships with other women while on tour. The most famous of these affairs was with Margie Hendricks.
Margie Hendricks was a member of The Raelettes, the backup singers who toured with Ray. She and Ray had a volatile and passionate relationship that was an open secret in the music world. In 1959, Margie gave birth to Ray’s son, Charles Wayne Hendricks.
For Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, this was a public humiliation. The movie Ray (2004) vividly depicted this tension. In the film, actress Kerry Washington played Della, while Regina King played Margie. The scenes showed Della demanding that Ray keep his work life—and his mistresses—away from their home. Although Ray promised to change, the affairs continued, slowly eroding the trust in their marriage.
Drug Addiction and Struggles
Beyond the infidelity, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson had to deal with Ray’s severe drug addiction. For much of their marriage, Ray was addicted to heroin. This addiction led to legal troubles, including a major arrest in Boston in 1965.
Della worried constantly about her husband’s health and the possibility of him going to prison. She urged him to get clean, not just for his career, but for their sons. The stress of managing a household while her husband battled addiction and legal issues took a heavy toll on her.
The Divorce
After 22 years of marriage, the relationship finally reached its breaking point. The combination of long absences, continued affairs, and the strain of the drug addiction proved too much. Della Beatrice Howard Robinson filed for divorce in 1976.
The divorce was finalized in 1977. It was a difficult time, but Della handled it with dignity. She did not go to the press to sell stories about Ray. Instead, she quietly stepped away from the celebrity lifestyle to focus on her own well-being and her children.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Net Worth
Many people wonder about the financial status of Ray’s ex-wife. While the exact Della Beatrice Howard Robinson net worth is not public information, it is known that she received a settlement after the divorce.
Ray Charles was a very wealthy man, leaving behind an estate estimated at $75 million when he died. Most of his money went to the Ray Charles Foundation. However, he did provide for his children and reportedly ensured Della was comfortable. She has lived a quiet, retired life in California, far removed from the financial complexities of the music business.
Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Still Alive?
One of the most frequently asked questions today is, “Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson still alive?” Given her age, this is a natural curiosity.
As of late 2025, there has been no official report of her death. There is no Della Beatrice Howard Robinson obituary in any major publication. She would be approximately 96 years old. It is widely believed that she is still alive, living privately in the Riverside or Los Angeles area of California.
Unlike other celebrity ex-wives who remain in the public eye, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson chose total privacy. This silence is why people often search for a Della Beatrice Howard Robinson death year but find no results. She has successfully kept her later years completely to herself.
Where Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Now?
So, where is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson now? She is enjoying her retirement. After raising her children and surviving the chaos of her marriage to a superstar, she retreated into a peaceful life.
She does not give interviews or appear on television. Her son, Ray Charles Robinson Jr., occasionally speaks about her with great love, ensuring the public knows that she is doing well. In a world where everyone seeks fame, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson found peace in obscurity.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Images and Legacy
If you look for Della Beatrice Howard Robinson images online, you will mostly find black-and-white photos from the 1950s and 1960s. These pictures show a stylish, elegant woman standing beside Ray Charles at award shows or airport arrivals.
There are very few recent photos of her. This lack of modern images adds to the mystery surrounding her life today. However, her legacy is preserved through her children and the portrayal of her character in the movie Ray. Kerry Washington’s performance introduced a new generation to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, showing her not as a victim, but as a strong survivor.
Ray Charles’ First Wife vs. Della
It is also important to distinguish Della from Ray’s first wife. Fans often search for “first wife age Della Beatrice Howard Robinson,” but this is a confusion of terms.
Ray’s first wife was Eileen Williams. They married in 1951 and divorced in 1952. They had no children. Della was his second wife, and they were married for 22 years. When people talk about “Ray Charles’ wife,” they are almost always referring to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson because of the length and impact of their union.
How Old Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson?
To summarize the age details: Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was born around 1929. This means that in 2025, she is 96 years old. Her longevity is remarkable, especially considering the high-stress life she lived during the peak of Ray Charles’ career.
While Ray passed away in 2004 at the age of 73, Della has outlived him by more than two decades. This fact alone speaks to her resilience and strength.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Wikipedia Presence
Interestingly, if you search for “Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Wikipedia,” you will not find a standalone page for her. Her life is documented primarily within the Ray Charles Wikipedia article.
This lack of a dedicated page reflects her desire for privacy. She has never tried to claim fame for herself. Her story is woven into the history of American music, but she has chosen to let the music speak for itself while she lives quietly in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson still alive?
Yes, as of late 2025, she is believed to be alive and living in retirement in California, aged approximately 96. - How many children did Della have with Ray Charles?
She had three sons with Ray: Ray Charles Robinson Jr., David Robinson, and Robert Robinson. - When did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson divorce Ray Charles? After 22 years of marriage, their divorce was finalized in 1977 due to Ray’s drug use and infidelity.
- What is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s net worth?
While her exact net worth is private, she received a divorce settlement and lives comfortably in retirement. - Did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson remarry?
There is no public record of her remarrying after her divorce from Ray Charles; she focused on raising her sons.
Conclusion
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is more than just a footnote in music history. She was the woman who built a home for Ray Charles and raised his sons while he changed the world with his songs. Her story is one of immense strength, patience, and dignity.
From her early days as a gospel singer in Texas to her years as a celebrity wife in Los Angeles, she faced challenges that would have broken many others. She dealt with infidelity, drug addiction, and the pressures of fame, yet she emerged with her grace intact.
Today, at the age of 96, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson remains a symbol of resilience. While the world will always remember Ray Charles as “The Genius,” those who know the full story understand that he could not have reached those heights without the support of Della Beatrice Howard Robinson. She remains a quiet, enduring figure in the legacy of soul music.
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