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At 80, Gladys Knight Finally Confirms Rumors—Revealing Truths About Her Life, Gambling Struggles, and Music Industry Feuds
At age 80, iconic singer Gladys Knight has shocked fans by finally addressing long-standing rumors about her personal struggles, controversial feuds, and turbulent career in the music industry.
Knight, famously known as the “Empress of Soul,” broke her silence in a candid interview, leaving many stunned by the revelations.
Born on May 28, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, Gladys Knight began singing at just four years old. Her journey to stardom started with family performances in church and eventually led to the creation of the group “Gladys Knight and the Pips.” The group soared to fame with hits like “Midnight Train to Georgia,” earning multiple Grammy Awards and global acclaim.
Yet, behind the glittering success, Knight faced immense personal challenges. One of the most surprising admissions she made was about her decade-long gambling addiction.
Knight revealed how casinos initially became her refuge, providing comfort amidst the chaos of fame. “The pit bosses and dealers became my family,” she admitted.
But as gambling consumed her time and money—once losing up to $60,000 in a single night—it negatively impacted her family life. The turning point came when she missed taking her son to school after a long casino night, prompting her to seek help through Gamblers Anonymous.
Knight also addressed long-rumored feuds within the music industry, especially her conflict with fellow Motown legend Diana Ross. Knight recounted how tension brewed early on when her group opened for Ross and The Supremes. Berry Gordy, Motown’s founder, shockingly removed Knight and the Pips from a major tour after implying that their stellar performances overshadowed Ross. Knight revealed, “He said, ‘You’re upsetting my act.’ I was stunned.”
Despite their turbulent past, Knight and Ross reconciled decades later, realizing their rivalry was a product of youthful insecurities and industry pressures. “We both apologized and moved forward,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness.
Her personal life, too, experienced its share of hardships. Knight married at 16 due to pregnancy, faced a miscarriage, and endured a turbulent marriage to James Newman, marked by substance abuse and separation.
After Newman, Knight endured more heartbreak through marriages to Barry Hankerson and motivational speaker Les Brown, each ending painfully. Yet, she eventually found lasting love with her current husband, William McDowell, whom she calls “the love of my life.”
Perhaps most heartbreaking was Knight’s revelation about her sons—losing her son Jimmy Newman III to heart failure and facing legal battles involving her son Shanga Hankerson.
Shanga was imprisoned for tax evasion tied to his restaurant business, Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles, severely straining their relationship. Knight courageously addressed accusations regarding her mental capacity made during these court battles, firmly rejecting any suggestion she suffered from Alzheimer’s.
Now reflecting at 80, Gladys Knight acknowledges these hardships openly, seeing them as critical lessons rather than mere misfortunes. Her message is clear: life’s struggles teach valuable lessons of resilience, humility, and compassion. Knight’s revelations remind us that even legends carry unseen burdens—and that true strength comes from embracing life’s truth with grace and honesty.
