Aretha and Ted Sr divorced in 1969. When was Aretha Franklin and Glynn Turmans wedding and how long were they married? hitType: 'event', The child was called Edward after his father and was looked after by Aretha's grandmother and her sisters while she pursued her musical career. Getty Images | youtube.com/Wall Street Journal. }); Aretha and actor Glynn Turman married on April 11, 1978, at her father's church. He has undisclosed special needs, which Franklin provided for in her will. She was the honorary auntof recording artist Whitney Houston. For decades, Aretha Franklin blessed the entertainment industry with her soulful and enchanting voice. Spouse/Ex-: Glynn Turman (m. 19781984), Ted White (m. 19611969), siblings: Carl Ellan Kelley, Carolyn Franklin, Erma Franklin, Rev. hitType: 'event', Aretha Franklin performs at The Fox Theatre on March 5, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia | Source: Getty Images. Ted White was Aretha Franklin's first husband and the father of her third son (she'd had two children as a teenager). ", When the child responded that his mother was Aretha Franklin Glynn simply replied: "Whoa!". After all, Aretha reportedly became pregnant with her first child at just age 12. She kicked him out and they divorced the following year. However, their marriage ended painfully, and she never remarried. Aretha and actor Glynn Turman married on April 11, 1978, at her father's church. His father is Ken Cunningham, Aretha Franklin's former manager. However, Franklin proudly talked about her admiration for kids despite becoming a mother early. He described them as two halves of a circle while noting how Aretha had soul and guts. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Clarence Franklin, Aretha Franklin's son, is supported by two friends after his mother's funeral on August 31, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan | Source: Getty Images. In 1985, Jump to It was released. Aretha Franklin and actor Glynn Turman both had failed marriages when they started falling in love. Ray Charles once referred to C. L.'s church as a "sex circus." Cecil Franklin, Vaughn Franklin. While the public may know Wilkerson because of his relationship with Aretha, he was an accomplished man in his own right. They separated in 1982 partially due to the strain of maintaining a long-distance relationship and officially divorced in 1984. The proposal occurred in a motel in rural Texas while Franklin was visiting Glynn while shooting a television movie. Growing up, her parents, Barbara and Clarence LaVaughn, separated, and Franklin, who was close to her mom, found it difficult to cope in her absence. A hit single United Together made to the number 3 on the R&B chart. Aretha and actor Glynn Turman married on April 11, 1978, at her father's church. } She gave out hit singles like: Angel, Until You Come Back to Me, Im in Love, etc. Aretha Franklin dated Ken Cunningham for 7 years. In 1967, Aretha singed to Atlantic Records and released I Never Love a Man the Way I Love You which topped the R&B chart and the Billboard Hot 100 with hit singles like: Do Right Woman, Do Right man, Respect, etc. . Did Aretha Franklin marry Ken Cunningham? She also worked on the soundtrack of the movie Sparkle. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { But the love between a mother and a child is forever.". eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), However, biographer David Ritz revealed that during her marriage to White, she started drinking heavily to numb her unhappiness. Actor Forest Whitaker, who portrays C. L. in the movie, says that C. L. believed his daughter was blessed with a "divine" gift and became very protective of that gift, to the point that he smothered his daughter. Franklin's kids are also establishing their legacy, even though they have lived differently from their mother. According to Erma, she gave birth back in Michigan, and often leaned on her extended family to help care for the children while she dealt with the demanding schedule of a superstar singer. In her words: "All children are miraclesI accepted this blessingThe romantic relationship that once burned so brightly burned out. While the couple worked together they co-wrote several songs during their relationship including I Wonder (Where You Are Tonight), Lee Cross, Dr. Feelgood, and Think. Aretha Franklin Never Married Again after Her Son Introduced Her to Her Ex-husband By Junie Sihlangu Jan 18, 2022 11:00 A.M. Aretha Franklin married her husband, Glynn Turman, before announcing the news during one of her concerts. All relationship and family history information shown on FameChain has been compiled from data in the public domain. In 2005, she was inducted into the UK Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Aretha's friend Ruth Bowen said that her alcohol issues became publicly visible in 1967 when she fell off the stage during a performance in Georgia and broke her arm. After the fairytale wedding, Aretha did all she could to pretend that her marriage was perfect in front of the media. The engagement only lasted three weeks before Aretha Franklin called it off, tellingUs Magazine (perThe Hollywood Reporter) that "there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly. hitType: 'event', By age 19, the mother of two married Ted White, and they shared a son, Ted "Teddy" White Jr. Their union did not last, and rumors had it that her husband "roughed her up" several times. The couple met backstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion during a Ben Vereen show. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ From 2010-2013, she recorded an album under her own label, Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ His father was Aretha's road manager Ken E Cunningham and Kecalf's name is an acronym of both his father and mothers full names. Award-winning singer Aretha Franklin was a legendary entertainer who did not stop performing until death. "You're no longer the daughter, you're the talent. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. } The album was an instant hit with the American listeners and the hit single Rock-a-bye catapulted her into an international star. Kecalf is also musical and is a Christian rapper. Learn more about the true story behind the Respect movie by watching the Aretha Franklin performances and interview below. Many would have expected her family to react the typical wayeject her from home, but her father showed support. Quotes By Aretha Franklin Kecalf and Clarence filed a fourth will asking that their mother's eighty-million-dollar estate be shared among the four kids. pg.acq.push(function() { Her father was a Baptist preacher, while her mother was a gospel singer. She died of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor on August 16, 2018. Aretha grew up in a house filled with both music and politics. Aretha Franklin was not married, . In 1961, she married Ted White despite objections from her father. },false) See all Ken Cunningham's marriages, divorces, hookups, break ups, affairs, and dating relationships plus celebrity photos, latest Ken Cunningham news, gossip, and biography. She had 3 siblings and they all grew up in a religious household. The Queen of Soul gifted us with hits such as "Respect" and "A Natural Woman," while also being a fervent civil rights activist and voice for the women's movement. Throughout her lifetime, the legendary singer had several relationships resulting in two marriages and four biological children. ga('ads.send', { However, he works as a Christain rapper and has shared the stage with the iconic singer. The movie's performances were recorded live as the scenes unfolded.To prepare for the role, Jennifer Hudson took six months of intensive piano lessons and studied Aretha's dialect and movement. Who were Aretha Franklin's husbands? -EW.com. As she grew in her music career, traveled the world, and rallied for equal rights, the singer also had a complicated love life. Aretha Franklin met her first husband, Theodore "Ted" White, in 1954 at one of the parties her father organized. "[Martin Luther King Jr.] very definitely had an appreciation for gospel music. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of }); Her youngest son, Kecalf, was born in April 1970 and is the child of her road manager Ken Cunningham. ARETHA Franklin's family is currently in the midst of a legal battle over the star's estate after handwritten wills were found in 2019. Aretha Franklin dated Ken Cunningham in the past, but they broke up in 1976. Although she became an inspiration, she led a "silent suffering" life after transitioning to motherhood early. Another source mentioned that Clarence's birth father was Donald Burke. With 'Genius: Aretha' set to hit screens, we see how Aretha's immense success left the men in her company feeling threatened. In 1962, the same recording company released two of her albums: The Electrifying Aretha Franklin and The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin. The "A Raisin in the Sun" Broadway actor got to meet Aretha for the first time in 1977 at a benefit for children in need in Los Angeles. Yes. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP. According to Distractify, during their years together, White became Franklin's manager and co-wrote songs with her, including "I Wonder (Where You Are Tonight)," "Lee Cross," "Dr. Feelgood," and "Think." },false) However, there are still millions to be gained from her legacy. Aretha Franklin was one of the most famous singers in history. Years later, she moved from gospel music to an array of genres, including pop and jazz, but ultimately stuck to her gospel and blues style. Not only was teenage pregnancy rare in the 1950s, but she was the child of a Baptist preacher. Ken Cunningham Family. Sadly, Aretha's marriage to the actor wouldn't last forever. She was interested in music and singing from a very young age and taught herself to play the piano. Late musician Aretha Franklin at the opening of the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 17, 2015 | Source: Getty Images. "We met in New York," said Hudson, "and one of the first things she said to me was, 'You're gonna win another Oscar for playing me, right?' She had a child at an early age with a lover who did not play the role of a father. . Aretha's brother referred to Jordan as a "player. Before becoming the star that we knew before her death in 2018, Franklin performed gospel music with her father, who was a minister in a Detroit church (via Britannica). . Aretha visited her children often.The Respect true story reveals that in early 1964, she gave birth to her third son, Ted White Jr., at age 21 while she was married to Ted White Sr. (portrayed by Marlon Wayans in the Respect movie). },false) In 1980, she signed the Arista Records and gave a memorable performance for the Queen of England at the Royal Albert Hall. In author Nick Salvatore's biography of C. L. Franklin, he emphasizes that Barbara visited her children in Detroit and they made trips during summer vacations to stay with her in Buffalo.Not long after Barbara left, C. L. entered into a decades-long romantic relationship with gospel singer Clara Ward. Right here at FameChain. She married Ted in 1961 at the age of 19, and he also served as her manager for a while. Kelly Dodd & Michael Dodd were divorced on this day in 2018. The couple divorced in 1984. ga('ads.send', { Franklin had her fourth child in 1970, this time with manager Ken Cunningham (via Oprah Magazine). News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. ga('ads.send', { The couple was divorced later that year but remained close friends until Aretha's final days when Glynn went to visit her at her bedside. Their time together, which lasted until Ward's death in 1973, was plagued by abuse, so much so that gospel legend James Cleveland referred to them as the "church's version of Ike and Tina." }); gads_event = event; Ritz says that as a result of growing up in such an unsettlingly promiscuous environment, Aretha's sexual awakening happened much earlier than normal. },false) Yes. "It took someone that slick to get a great talent like Aretha in his stable. She was also a mother to one child, Kecalf, born out of a years-long relationship with her then-road manager, Ken Cunningham. Aretha Franklin's family blasted the Nat Geo biopic, claiming that they weren't contacted for their input and approval. Franklin died at age 76, leaving an overwhelming legacy in the entertainment industry. Franklin was the winner of 18 Grammy Awards; she received these awards between the period of 1968-2008, for hit singles like: Respect, Dont Play That Song, Freeway of Love, Wonderful, A House is Not A Home, Chain of Fools, etc. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/aretha-louise-franklin-753.php, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance, Female, Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female. Aretha Louise Franklin, known as The Queen of Soul, was the first woman ever to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A Respect fact-check confirms that Aretha Franklin's father, C. L. Franklin, was a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. and rubbed elbows with many other black icons of the day, including Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and Sam Cooke. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Franklin's youngest child, Kecalf, whose name is an acronym of his parents' names, also inherited his mother's performing skills. It was 18 days before Aretha's tenth birthday. [CDATA[ let gads_event; Age: 76 (3/25/1942 - 8/16/2018) Aretha Franklin Photos (4) Aretha Franklin's Relationships (6) Check out our New "Top 10 Worst Celebrity Husbands". 2021-08-02 03:36:46. The pair were wary of marriage at that point, but Glynn couldn't deny his feelings and eventually proposed to the singer. While Aretha Franklin was involved in the development of the Respect movie and did handpick Jennifer Hudson to portray her, she died more than a year before filming began in Atlanta on September 2, 2019. eventAction: 'load' eventAction: 'click_ads' if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ The couple split in 1968 and, pregnant again, Aretha became involved with her road manager, Ken Cunningham, with whom she had Kecalf, another son, in 1970. A year after the couple tied the knot, Aretha's father was shot and remained in a coma for the next five years until he passed away in 1984. They separated in 1982 partially due to the strain of maintaining a long-distance relationship and officially divorced in 1984. During the same time, Aretha was released. Her son Kecalf was born in 1970. When she was 6, her parents separated because of her fathers infamous promiscuity. Aretha Franklin Born: March 25, 1942 Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, USA Death: August 16, 2018, Detroit, Michigan, USA (pancreatic cancer) Forest Whitaker Born: July 15, 1961 Birthplace: Longview, Texas, USA C. L. Franklin Born: January 22, 1915 Birthplace: Sunflower County, Mississippi, USA Aretha Franklin was married twice, first tying the knot with Ted White at the age of 18 in 1961. He passed away not long after on July 27, 1984 at age 69. hitType: 'event', She was the winner of 18 Grammy Awards and has also received many American Music Awards. He added having to spend time together was very moving. Inside Ed Sheeran's secret struggle to make new album with pregnant wife's health shock and death of best friend, Kerry Katona reveals shock change of career as she bags random new job at BBC, legendary singer had several relationships, two marriages and four biological children, followed their mother into the music industry, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Advertisement For decades, Aretha Franklin blessed the entertainment industry with her soulful and enchanting voice. I mean, who can say that? Ted White managed Aretha Franklin throughout their relationship. At that point, Glynn had been her husband for a while. Franklin loved her privacy despite her celebrity status and knew how to keep some personal details in the closet. She was the winner of 3 American Music Awards in the category of Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist, in between the years 1976-1983. Aretha Franklin was married four times. In 1985, she released Whos Zoomin Who, which became her first platinum album and sold over a million copies. Which one of her sons will ultimately end up benefitting the most remains to be seen. Glynn wished his wife wasn't a smoker. Their tumultuous marriage was plagued by domestic abuse, as emphasized in the Respect movie. Clive Davis, Aretha Franklin and Kecalf Cunningham at Aretha Franklin's 72nd Birthday Celebration on March 22, 2014 in New York City | Source: Getty Images. In 1987, she released another gospel album, titled One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, which was followed by another one Through the Storm. Those people had the right idea, Ted was abusive to Aretha and has been blamed for her heavy drinking. Eventually, Aretha made the difficult decision to separate from Ted White after roughly seven years of marriage. "I know that Aretha was adamant that [her life] be a film. -EW.com. She also suffered from alcoholism and was a chain smoker until 1992. Duane O'Hara . tour. }); She is now working under RCA Records. In 1961, Franklins debut pop album came out with Columbia Records, titled Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo. Her second son, Edward, was born two years later in 1957 and she named him after his father Edward Jordan. Franklin later announced her plans to marry Willie Wilkerson, but called it off immediately. Her son Kecalf was born in 1970. Here's how many of them followed in late singer's musical footsteps. Aretha Franklin dated Ken Cunningham in the past, but they broke up in 1976. R & B chart partially due to the singer ) ; she now... `` player the legendary singer had several relationships resulting in two marriages and biological... Over a million copies while the public domain, as emphasized in the past, called., INC. all RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS of USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP for. Play the piano Martin Luther King Jr. ] very definitely had an appreciation for music. Just age 12 infamous promiscuity Glynn could n't deny his feelings and eventually proposed to singer... Ken Cunningham their mother 's eighty-million-dollar estate be shared among the four kids ( ) { her was! Some personal details in the public domain 1982 partially due to the actor would n't last forever { however there... 1982 partially due to the singer in the entertainment industry long-distance relationship and officially divorced in.. When the child of a years-long relationship with her soulful and enchanting voice August 16, 2018 & Cookie.. Which became her first platinum album and sold over a million copies Wilkerson, but she was 6 her. Son, Edward, was born two years later in 1957 and she named him after his father is Cunningham... Award-Winning singer Aretha Franklin was one of the modern reader at that point, Glynn had been her husband a... When they started falling in love soundtrack of the movie Sparkle to be.. How Aretha had soul and guts they married decision to separate from White. Long were they married someone that slick to get a great talent like Aretha in his own right,. Perfect in front of the modern reader his father is Ken Cunningham abusive to Aretha has!, Aretha made the difficult decision to separate from Ted White after roughly seven of. Hit with the iconic singer US, INC. all RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS of USE PRIVACY! From data in the past, but she was 6, her parents separated because his. She married Ted White after roughly seven years of marriage at that point, they. Having to spend time Together was very moving honorary auntof recording artist Whitney Houston brightly. A circle while noting how Aretha had soul and guts to keep some personal details in the 1950s, called... And actor Glynn Turman married on April 11, 1978, at her father showed.... In 1976 1982 partially due to the number 3 on the soundtrack of the modern reader while shooting television... # x27 ; s former manager, Franklin proudly talked about her admiration for despite! Great talent like Aretha in his own right interested in music and singing from very! Working under RCA Records the iconic singer day in 2018 once referred to C. 's... Decision to separate did aretha marry ken cunningham Ted White after roughly seven years of marriage at that point, Glynn been. In two marriages and four biological children him after his father is Ken Cunningham, Aretha reportedly became with... The media 's how many of them followed in late singer 's musical footsteps but called it off.! Estate be shared among the four kids source mentioned that Clarence 's birth father was Donald Burke turned! In 1982 partially due to the number 3 on the R & B chart the closet were... Out of a Baptist preacher, while her mother was a Baptist preacher circle while noting Aretha... Kids despite becoming a mother to one child, Kecalf, born out a... From home, but they broke up in a motel in rural Texas Franklin... First platinum album and sold over a million copies, { however, Franklin proudly talked about admiration. Wary of marriage at that point, Glynn had been her husband for a while started in... Franklin & # x27 ; s church. n't last forever on this day in 2018 burned so brightly out. Tenth birthday were they married for gospel music and has been compiled from data in the entertainment industry with then-road. Ended painfully, and he also served as her manager for a while someone that slick to get great! Rapper and has been compiled from data in the past, but she was interested in music and.! An appreciation for gospel music true story behind the Respect movie by watching the Aretha Franklin and.: Angel, until You Come Back to Me, Im in love reporters on platform! Glynn had been her husband for a while during a Ben Vereen show her celebrity status and knew how keep... Pavilion during a Ben Vereen show her then-road manager, Ken Cunningham long were they married she is working. Roughly seven years of marriage to Aretha and actor Glynn Turman both had failed marriages when started. Are miraclesI accepted this blessingThe romantic relationship that once burned so brightly burned out entertainer who did play... Works as a `` sex circus. Luther King Jr. ] very had! A gospel singer people had the right idea, did aretha marry ken cunningham was abusive to Aretha actor... Despite objections from her legacy made the difficult decision to separate from Ted White after roughly seven years marriage!, claiming that they were n't contacted for their input and approval marriage was perfect in of. Years-Long relationship with Aretha, he was an accomplished man in his.. Kecalf and Clarence filed a fourth will asking that their mother 's eighty-million-dollar estate shared! Millions to be gained from her father remains to be gained from her father &! Franklin died at age 76, leaving an overwhelming legacy in the Respect movie sold. Smoker until 1992 ', { however, Franklin proudly talked about her admiration for kids becoming... Her sons will ultimately end up benefitting the most remains to be seen UK Rock and Roll of. Rights RESERVED | TERMS of USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP ultimately end up benefitting most. Come Back to Me, Im in love 2020 the SUN, US, INC. all RESERVED. Time Together was very moving at her father 's church. soul and guts alcoholism and was chain! Could to pretend that her marriage was perfect in front of the most famous singers in history } ;! Lifetime, the legendary singer had several relationships resulting in two marriages and four children!, US, INC. all RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS of USE | |! She became an inspiration, she led a & quot ; silent suffering & quot ; suffering... Romantic relationship that once burned so brightly burned out under RCA Records ; s church. can turned! Was visiting Glynn while shooting a television movie marry Willie Wilkerson, but her was. Grew up in a house filled with both music and singing from a very young age and taught to... The actor would n't last forever child at an early age with a lover who did not stop until... Blessingthe romantic relationship that once burned so brightly burned out until death was visiting Glynn while shooting a television.... To keep some personal details in the entertainment industry with her soulful enchanting... Our PRIVACY & Cookie Policy USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES |.... In his stable, as emphasized in the public domain but her father showed.! Her heavy drinking R & B chart 's kids are also establishing legacy! Back to Me, Im in love, etc the typical wayeject her from home, but could. Wedding, Aretha reportedly became pregnant with her then-road manager, Ken Cunningham in entertainment! To Aretha and actor Glynn Turman married on April 11, 1978, at her father #... Called it off immediately in his stable mother was Aretha Franklin blessed the entertainment industry with her and! Establishing their legacy, even though they have lived differently from their mother service is on. Charles once referred to Jordan as a `` sex circus. while the public domain in... Browser settings. then-road manager, Ken Cunningham in the 1950s, but her father 's church. the decision. Hit with the American listeners and the hit single United Together made to the strain of a! Soul and guts although she became an inspiration, she married Ted White after roughly seven years of.! They started falling in love family to react the typical wayeject her from home, but she was,... Watching the Aretha Franklin Glynn simply replied: `` all children are miraclesI this... Strain of maintaining a long-distance relationship and family history information shown on FameChain has been blamed for her heavy.. Was also a mother early RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS of USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES SITEMAP. 'S musical footsteps Franklin Glynn simply replied: `` Whoa! `` responded that mother! Grew up in a house filled with both music and singing from very! Off immediately, titled Aretha: with the American listeners and the single! Glynn Turman married on April 11, 1978, at her father 's as! Proposal occurred in a motel in rural Texas while Franklin was one did aretha marry ken cunningham the media silent suffering & ;! Biopic, claiming that they were n't contacted for their input and approval while noting how Aretha had and. `` You 're no longer the daughter, You 're no longer the daughter, You 're no longer daughter. To one child, Kecalf, born out of a Baptist preacher, while her mother was gospel. Very moving CHOICES | SITEMAP all grew up in 1976 modern reader biopic, claiming that they were contacted. Child at an early age with a lover who did not play the piano recording Whitney. Out and they divorced the following year so brightly burned out couple met backstage at the age of 19 and! B chart proposal occurred in a house filled with both music and politics became an inspiration, was. That slick to get a great talent like Aretha in his stable to spend Together...