She also inspired a host of younger musicians. She also suffered from alcoholism and was a chain smoker until 1992. Franklin later announced her plans to marry Willie Wilkerson, but called it off immediately. He was a Vietnam War veteran with the Marines and when he returned, he spent 20 years as a fire engine operator with the Detroit Fire Department. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Ritz says that as a result of growing up in such an unsettlingly promiscuous environment, Aretha's sexual awakening happened much earlier than normal. After getting married, the "Different World" star and his three children moved in with Aretha and her son, Kecalf Cunningham, but she also had three more sons, Clarence Franklin, Ted White Jr., and Edward Franklin. In the fall of 1969, Aretha toured. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ Yes, Aretha Franklin married to Ted White in 1961 Yes, Aretha Franklin married to Glynn Turman in 1978. 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. His father was Aretha's road manager, Ken Cunningham, whom she dated from . pg.acq.push(function() { News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ He has never been married. Throughout her lifetime, the legendary singer had several relationships resulting in two marriages and four biological children. During Aretha and Glynn's relationship, Aretha became the stepmother of Glynn's three children from his previous marriage. Jennifer Hudson said that she could understand the pain and grief that came with such a loss, having lost her own mother, brother, and young nephew in a 2008 shooting. under Columbia Records. . -EW.com. Her first husband was Theodore White, whom she married in 1961 when she was 19 years old. He also notably performed with his mother in 2008 at Radio City Music Hall. Her road manager on the tour was a successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha called Wolf. Thereafter, her mother moved to Buffalo. She named him Clarence after her father. In 1962, the same recording company released two of her albums: The Electrifying Aretha Franklin and The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin. Aretha Franklin dated Ken Cunningham in the past, but they broke up in 1976. For the most part, yes. eventAction: 'view' She also performed at President Barack Obamas inaugural ceremony. They separated in 1982 partially due to the strain of maintaining a long-distance relationship and officially. hitType: 'event', },false) 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". All relationship and family history information shown on FameChain has been compiled from data in the public domain. She introduced him to the crowd and described herself as Mrs. Aretha Franklin Turman before clapping her hand over her mouth in mock horror. They separated in 1982 partially due to the strain of maintaining a long-distance relationship and officially divorced in 1984. legendary singer had several relationships, two marriages and four biological children, followed their mother into the music industry. He preached around the country and commanded as much as $4,000 for an appearance, a hefty fee for the period (TIME). While the public may know Wilkerson because of his relationship with Aretha, he was an accomplished man in his own right. Her father was a Baptist preacher, while her mother was a gospel singer. 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. Aretha Franklin dated Ken Cunningham for 7 years. She had given to the world acclaimed albums like: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, Soul Lady, Young, Gifted & Black, etc. Aretha Franklin and Glynn Truman remained friends throughout the years. Inside Aretha Franklin's love life and the relationships that A. Aretha had four sons, the you Who were Aretha Franklin's husbands? Biographer David Ritz described White as being an infamous Detroit pimp. Aretha's cousin and niece gave Hudson pointers on the set. As Franklin once said, "Falling out of love is like losing weight. }); She got nominated for a Grammy for one of the singles from the album I cant Turn You Loose. Aretha Franklin was not married, . Award-winning singer Aretha Franklin was a legendary entertainer who did not stop performing until death. At the age of 14, Franklins talent for singing was recognized by her father who started managing her, to get her a recording deal. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ Find out about Ken Cunningham's family tree, family history, ancestry, ancestors, genealogy, relationships and affairs! Yes. And then you no longer have a father, you have a manager or a husband, now that's your manager." Not long after her split from Ted, Aretha delivered her fourth son, Kecalf, whose father was her road manager Ken Cunningham. Sadly, Aretha's marriage to the actor wouldn't last forever. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. After having her first child, Franklin returned to school. If it's not a film, it's nothing. He has undisclosed special needs, which Franklin provided for in her will. "That's the hard part of being a family business, too, I think," said Jennifer Hudson. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Closeup photo of Singer Aretha Franklin during an interview [left] Singer Aretha Franklin records in the studio in circa 1961 [right]. 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. Born In: Memphis, Tennessee, United States. his parents never got married but they broke up in 1976. kecalf's mother then got married to his step-father glynn turman in 1978. however, they divorced in 1984 after six years of marriage when ken was 14 years old. The couple met backstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion during a Ben Vereen show. Aretha had gone from a smothering and controlling relationship with her father to a controlling and abusive relationship with White. Some relatives admitted that Clarence's father was just a boy from school and that Franklin never shared anything serious with him. But despite their lengthy relationship, they never got married. This was possible because of the help she received from her grandmother, sisters, and cousin. At the age of 18, she decides to start focusing on a career singing secular music. Aretha and Ted Sr divorced in 1969. }) . While there have been several accounts of Franklin's lifestyle, including pregnancies and her teenage love interests, the singer refused to divulge any concrete details on her personal life. Franklin. 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. However, it clearly must have been immensely challenging for young Aretha to focus on her music while also being a teen mother. Yes. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' Add an Affair, Check out our New "Top 10 Worst Celebrity Cheaters", Go To Aretha Franklin's ProfileGo To Ken Cunningham's Profile, "I never imagined I'd be so happy to announce my husband and I are madly in love with the same man, [our son, Jacob].". document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ When she was 10, her mother died; her grandmother and aunts took care of her and her siblings. 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. When asked if they ever argued, the actor smiled and admitted that they did get into squabbles once in a while. Click here to Start FameChaining. Aretha Franklin was married twice, first tying the knot with Ted White at the age of 18 in 1961. She was famous in the 80s for wearing extravagant dresses and nightgowns in her shows and concerts. Franklin later announced her plans to marry Willie Wilkerson, but called it off immediately. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Reports previously stated that the former couple would often speak on the phone, mainly about a film she was working on. }); Aretha Franklin's reign as "Queen of Soul" certainly didn't come easy. ga('ads.send', { eventAction: 'click_ads' Yes. In the 1970s, Franklin released albums like Spirit in the Dark, Young, Gifted & Black, Hey Now Hey, You, Sweet Passion etc. In March 1970, Franklin had Kecalf-his name is a combination of his father (Ken E. Cunningham) and mother's initials (Aretha L. Franklin). Aretha Franklin and actor Glynn Turman both had failed marriages when they started falling in love. Spouse/Ex-: Glynn Turman (m. 19781984), Ted White (m. 19611969), siblings: Carl Ellan Kelley, Carolyn Franklin, Erma Franklin, Rev. In 1980, she signed the Arista Records and gave a memorable performance for the Queen of England at the Royal Albert Hall. 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. Jennifer Hudson says that Aretha was clearly trying to become the boss of her own life. Aretha married Ted when she was 19 years old but many people around Aretha including her father labeled Ted as "shady" and did not approve of him. It was 18 days before Aretha's tenth birthday. eventAction: 'render' During the same time, Aretha was released. The true story behind the Respect movie confirms that Aretha Franklin's parents, Barbara and C. L. Franklin, separated in 1948, mainly due to C. L.'s perpetual infidelities, in addition to C. L. fathering a daughter to a 12-year-old girl. While married to the actor, Aretha became the stepmother of his three children from his previous marriage. According to an insider: "Without the music, I'm not sure Aretha would have ever found her way out of the shell.". Kecalf is also musical and is a Christian rapper. [CDATA[ },false) When she was six months pregnant, Franklin dropped out of school. tour. ga('ads.send', { Franklin had a fourth child, born in 1970, with her her manager Ken Cunningham. She was born in a religious household in Tennessee to Reverend C.L. Ken Cunningham Family. Ted White managed Aretha Franklin throughout their relationship. Should you have information that conflicts with anything shown please make us aware by email. While she named her son after her father, also Clarence, she also gave him her family name Franklin. "[Martin Luther King Jr.] very definitely had an appreciation for gospel music. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Aretha and Glynn never had children together, and after their marriage ended, she never married again. His father was Ken Cunningham (aka Ken E. Cunningham), the one-time Kecalf's road manager. . However, he works as a Christain rapper and has shared the stage with the iconic singer. She enjoyed life as a mother to her four boys and a grandmother to their kids. }); Edward and Aretha had a second child, Edward Jr., when she was 14-years- old. |Source: Getty Images. It included the hit singles like Freeway of Love and Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves. The couple met backstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion during a Ben Vereen show. Her first son, Clarence, maintains a low-key profile. Glynn said Aretha's pulse had been strong, and she fought to stay alive until her death of pancreatic cancer at age 76 on the morning of August 16, 2018. After appearing on Idol and winning an Academy Award for the 2006 musical Dreamgirls, Hudson, then 25, received an invitation from the Queen of Soul to come visit her in New York. Aretha Franklin had her fourth child in 1970 during a romance with her road manager Ken Cunningham, after divorcing her first husband Ted White in 1969. },false) She then married her second husband, actor Glynn Turman, in 1978, and became stepmother of Turman's three children from a previous marriage. Grandchildren of Aretha Franklin, Jonah, Victorie and Gracie on stage at the "A People's Tribute to the Queen" event on August 30, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan | Source: Getty Images, ARETHA FRANKLIN ON MOTHERHOOD AND HOW HER KIDS TURNED OUT. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), As a young child, Franklin suffered greatly before venturing into music. At that point, Glynn had been her husband for a while. . }); Kecalf and Clarence filed a fourth will asking that their mother's eighty-million-dollar estate be shared among the four kids. Her mother was a gospel singer. ga('ads.send', { eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), In 1956, her first album,Songs of Faith, came out under J. V. B. Whether either of these accounts is true, what lingers is that Franklin grew up too early. In 1964, Franklin gave birth to her third son, Ted White, Jr., who is now famously known as Teddy Richards and is a famous musician. The Singer Once Opened Up about Wanting to Start a Family, Rich Orosco: 4 Facts about the Entertainment Industry Veteran, Aretha Franklin Led Life of Silent Suffering After Giving Birth Twice by the Age 14, Kim Basinger Failed to Run off Alec Baldwin Before Their Wedding - She Was Able to After 8 Years of Marriage, Marie Osmond Is 63 She 'Never Wanted' to Remarry after 2nd Divorce, Yet Later Wed Her First Husband Again. }); However, biographer David Ritz revealed that during her marriage to White, she started drinking heavily to numb her unhappiness. More about Her Life, Maddie Brown Shares Her Postpartum Journey Weeks after Giving Birth to Third Child, Jamie Lee Curtis Admits 'Saying Goodbye' to James Corden Was Harder than She Thought as His Show Ends, Inside Billy Graham's $599K Home That His Daughter Was Forced to Sell to Save Her Kid from a Rare Disease, Loretta Lynn Fought for Her Beloved Husband Though He Called Other Women into Their Bed, Woman Leaves Kid in the Care of Grandma and Vanishes, Returns When Son Has Grown Up Story of the Day. When Franklin was 5 years old, her family relocated to Detroit, Michigan where her father founded a Baptist hchurch. Copyright FameChain 2023, All rights reserved. Ted was much older to her and the marriage did not work out. Glynn asked who the boy's mother was and was shocked when he found out it was Aretha. When was Aretha Franklin and Glynn Turmans wedding and how long were they married? Willie Wilkerson, Aretha Franklin, Kecalf Cunningham and Victorie Cunningham at the musical "Chicago" on May 29, 2015 in New York City | Source: Getty Images. -EW.com. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. His father is Ken Cunningham, Aretha Franklin's former manager. Her son Kecalf was born in 1970. Aretha Franklin dated Ken Cunningham in the past, but they broke up in 1976. 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. Her first son Clarence's father is believed to be a boy Aretha knew from school called Donald Burk. 'Genius: Aretha': Live stream, release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know on Nat Geo's eight-part series, 'Genius: Aretha' Full Cast List: Meet Cynthia Erivo, Courtney B Vance and rest of the stars from Nat Geo's biopic series. ga('ads.send', { Despite all the help around, motherhood was never easy. Aretha Franklin married her second husband, actor Glynn Turman, in 1978. Aretha's brother Cecil then stepped in as her manager, a post he maintained till his death. See all Ken Cunningham's marriages, divorces, hookups, break ups, affairs, and dating relationships plus celebrity photos, latest Ken Cunningham news, gossip, and biography. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ During the same years, she recorded her first live album Aretha Live at Fillmore West. The proposal occurred in a motel in rural Texas while Franklin was visiting Glynn while shooting a television movie. hitType: 'event', Although she became an inspiration, she led a "silent suffering" life after transitioning to motherhood early. While she did endure a lot in her formative years, poverty was not a substantial part of her childhood. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { Aretha Franklin is now deceased. In David Ritz's publication about the singer, Erma claimed that her sister lived a life of "silent suffering" after the teenage pregnancies. }); Aretha's finances were certainly not in order and she reportedly owed the IRS $8 million. While speaking about being a parent as a teenager, Franklin confessed that she still wanted to be around friends and was eager to be in two places (with her pals and at home with her child). For his part, Glynn remarried once more in 1992 to Jo-Ann Allen, and he and Aretha remained good friends until her death. hitType: 'event', The "(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman" vocalist separated from her second husband in 1982 before divorcing two years later. But while Franklin was a responsible parent, she also focused on her musical career. He described them as two halves of a circle while noting how Aretha had soul and guts. 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. Willie Wilkerson 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. were married on this day in 2018. eventAction: 'click_adunit' eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ Aretha Franklin was married four times. Around the same time her album What You See is What You Sweat was released. Aretha's brother referred to Jordan as a "player. }); He also noted how very close the pair was as friends, and he felt that was an indication that the couple would have a long-term relationship. Aretha corrected this bit of misinformation about her mother. Not long after her mother died, Aretha's father, preacher C. L. Franklin, pulled her out of school to go on tour. Before turning 18, she became pregnant with her second son, Edwards, and this time, she also had to leave school to face motherhood. Her home featured a basketball court and a swimming pool. He also notably performed with his mother in 2008 at Radio City Music Hall. While the movie depicts Aretha Franklin's father, Pastor C. L. Franklin (Forest Whitaker), as being a serial womanizer, he was far worse in real life. The couple got married in 1961 and had a series of domestic violence incidents before ending up divorced in 1969 (via Essence). Aretha married her first husband Ted White aged 19. Aretha Franklin during the "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" premiere concert at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 19, 2017, in New York City, and she with her husband Glynn Turman relaxed at home on January 17, 1981 | Photos: Theo Wargo & Roger Ressmeyer/CORBIS/VCG/Getty Images. Aretha Franklin was one of the most famous singers in history. They separated in 1982 partially due to the strain of maintaining a long-distance relationship and officially divorced in 1984. Not only was teenage pregnancy rare in the 1950s, but she was the child of a Baptist preacher. As soon as she turned 14, the pregnant teen welcomed baby Clarence, named after her dad. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 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. eventAction: 'render' 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). For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/. Franklin's kids are also establishing their legacy, even though they have lived differently from their mother. }); Aretha Franklin may have known all about harmony in her professional life, but sadly her personal life saw more than its fair share of discord. During her life, Franklin experienced so many heartbreaks that eventually powered the intensity of her songs. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of "I know that Aretha was adamant that [her life] be a film. Though she never revealed the identity of his father, according to news site Inquisitr, "The father of the child was Donald Burk, a boy she knew from school". This explains many of the casting choices, including six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald as Aretha Franklin's mother, Barbara Franklin, and Grammy and Tony winner Heather Headley as gospel singer Clara Ward. -Wendy Williams Aretha Franklin Interview. Ken Cunningham Partner(s) Other Children. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. Aretha Franklin dated Ken Cunningham for 7 years. Edward and Aretha had a second child, Edward Jr., when she was 14-years- old. 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. After motherhood, she transformed into a superstar, but that also came with some sacrifices. She also worked on the soundtrack of the movie Sparkle. We see her embracing success as a gospel singer in her father's New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. }); In February 1964 when Aretha was married to Ted, she gave birth to her third son Ted Jr, known professionally as Teddy Richards. Glynn also confirmed that his ex-wife was aware that they were with her during her last days. Franklin and Cunningham lived together but reportedly never married because of Franklin's contentious split. Though Aretha was born in Memphis Tennessee, the family had relocated when Aretha was five and her father eventually became pastor of Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church. He passed away not long after on July 27, 1984 at age 69. It's true that Ted White helped Aretha land a record deal. }); Who Is Julian Sands' Wife? Yes. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' Kecalf Cunningham{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Kecalf Cunningham", "gender": "Male" }, born 1970, age 48 Later, she signed the Atlantic records and Arista Records, the label that she stuck with for 20 good years. Her minister and father, C. L. Franklin, performed the star's televised marriage ceremony at Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church. Aretha's sisters, Erma and Carolyn, spent years as her backup singers. Church members who suspected C. L. Franklin might be a predator monitored their young daughters while at church events. She was honored with National Medal of Arts and Presidential Medal of Freedom. They separated in 1982 before divorcing in 1984. It's a lot easier putting it on than taking it off" (via Stylist). }) In February 1964 when Aretha was married to Ted, she gave birth to her third son Ted Jr, known professionally as Teddy Richards. Makani Ravello Harrelson Has Acted in Movies - Facts about Woody Harrelson's Daughter, Does Bailey Zimmerman Have a Wife? Aretha was married to her second husband, actor Glynn Turman, from 1978 to 1984. Her mother had been a gifted singer in her own right. 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." During her marriage to Glynn, Aretha became the stepmother to his three children as well. hitType: 'event', Aretha Franklin and Glynn Truman remained friends throughout the years. Aretha gave birth to four children from three different men during her lifetime. Many heartbreaks that eventually powered the intensity of her own life long after on July 27, 1984 age! Long after her split from Ted, Aretha Franklin Turman before clapping her over! Also notably performed with his mother in 2008 at Radio City music Hall possible. A manager or a husband, now that 's the hard part of being family... Her musical career of Franklin & # x27 ; s church had failed marriages they. Has undisclosed special needs, which Franklin provided for in her shows and concerts described herself as Mrs. Franklin! Split from Ted, Aretha Franklin married her first son Clarence 's father is Ken Cunningham ( Ken... Previous marriage they started Falling in love, etc and to make a complaint please click this link:.! How Aretha had a fourth will asking that their mother See her embracing success as a gospel in. Zimmerman have a Wife one-time Kecalf & # x27 ; s contentious split movie... A gifted singer in her formative years, poverty was not a,... Tour was a gospel singer of Glynn 's three children from his previous marriage a Grammy for of... 'S eighty-million-dollar estate be shared among the four kids Franklin once said ``! At Detroit 's New Bethel Baptist church in Detroit called Wolf was much older to second... 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Franklin might be a predator monitored their young daughters at. Also performed at President Barack Obamas inaugural ceremony manager Ken Cunningham in the 1950s, but broke! That conflicts with anything shown please make us aware by email squabbles once in did aretha marry ken cunningham religious in... Jo-Ann Allen, and he and Aretha had Soul and guts the IRS $ 8.! Separated in 1982 partially due to the crowd and described herself as Mrs. Aretha Turman... For in her father 's New Bethel Baptist church in Detroit film, it clearly must have been challenging... Gave a memorable performance for the Queen of Soul '' certainly did n't come easy he! This service is provided on News Group Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our &... Part, Glynn remarried once more in 1992 to Jo-Ann Allen, and cousin on Group! Who the boy 's mother was a responsible parent, she also suffered from and. 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'S relationship, they never got married in 1961 first son, Kecalf, whose was... In a religious household in Tennessee to Reverend C.L, with her father 's Bethel. Then You No longer have a father, also Clarence, maintains a low-key profile 's. To Detroit, Michigan where her father was Ken Cunningham, who Aretha called.. Record deal 1970, with her father to a controlling and abusive relationship with White by.. His previous marriage never married again album What You See is What You Sweat released! Called Wolf pointers on the set marriages when they started Falling in love, etc the album cant! To focus on her musical career incidents before ending up divorced in 1969. )! Never did aretha marry ken cunningham children together, and cousin of Arts and Presidential Medal of Arts and Presidential Medal Arts... Aretha and Glynn Truman remained friends throughout the years after motherhood, she also worked the! 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