Most people know Ray Charles for his amazing soulful voice and incredible talent. But few know about the woman who stood beside him. Her name was Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, and her story deserves to be told.
Della Beatrice, who everyone called “Bea,” was Ray’s second wife. She wasn’t just a wife though. She was a talented gospel singer, a caring mother, and a strong woman who faced many challenges with dignity.
She spent 22 years of marriage with Ray Charles. During this time, she raised their children while he traveled the world. She gave up her own dreams to make a peaceful home for her family.
Today, we’re sharing her complete story. You’ll learn how Della Beatrice Howard Robinson met Ray Charles, raised their three sons alone, and found the strength to leave when life became too painful.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Quick Bio
Let’s start with the basic facts about Della Beatrice Howard‘s life. She was born in 1929 in Los Angeles, California. Growing up as an African-American woman during tough times, her Christian faith helped shape who she became.
She married Ray Charles on April 5, 1955. Their marriage lasted until their divorce in 1977. Together, they had three sons named Ray Jr., David, and Robert.
After the divorce, her net worth reached about $15 million from the divorce settlement. Now she lives in Riverside County, California, enjoying a quiet life. At 96 years old, she stays away from public attention and focuses on family.
is della beatrice howard robinson still alive
Yes, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is still alive today. In 2025, she’s 96 years old and living in Riverside County. She enjoys spending time with her family in peace.
Unlike other celebrity ex-wives, Della Beatrice wants complete privacy. She doesn’t use social media or talk to reporters. Her children and grandchildren visit her often and respect her choice to stay private.
She’s doing well for her age. Friends say she’s happy spending quiet days with family. Della Beatrice built a good life after divorce, showing that real happiness comes from peace, not fame.
Early Life of Della Beatrice Howard Robinson
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was born in 1929 in Los Angeles. Her childhood was hard because her parents split up right after she was born. Her single mother worked hard to take care of both of them.
She grew up on an 80-acre farm that belonged to her mother’s family. Farm life taught her important lessons about being strong and responsible. Even though they didn’t have much money, she learned deep values and kindness.
She went to school in Richmond but only until fourth grade. After that, she had to help more at home. But these early life struggles made her tough and prepared her for future challenges.
Her Love for Gospel Music
Gospel music was always Della Beatrice‘s passion. It gave her hope and comfort during hard times. As a young girl, she joined Cecil Shaw’s church choir and discovered her beautiful singing voice.
She didn’t just sing at church. Della Beatrice Howard performed on radio shows and live concerts too. People loved her voice because it touched their hearts. She even got a recording deal and made songs that came out on CDs.
Gospel music meant everything to her. Her music career was going really well when she met Ray Charles in 1954. That meeting would change her whole life in ways she never expected.
How Della Beatrice Met Ray Charles
In 1954, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson met Ray Charles in Houston, Texas. She was busy with her gospel career and feeling good about her future. Ray had just signed with Atlantic Records and was starting to get famous.
They first met at a music event. Honestly, Della wasn’t impressed with Ray at first. But something strange happened—they kept running into each other at different shows and places.
Della Beatrice later found out these weren’t accidents. Ray was planning these meetings because he wanted to see her. His plan worked. They started talking more, and soon their friendship turned into love.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s Wedding to Ray Charles
After dating for about a year, they got married on April 5, 1955. Their wedding was very simple—nothing fancy at all. They said their vows in a small back room with boxes and stuff everywhere.
A woman they didn’t know read their marriage vows. Even though the setting was plain, it was still a big moment for Della Beatrice Howard. She became Ray Charles’ wife, and her life changed completely with fame and new challenges ahead.
Ray started calling her “Bea,” and everyone used that nickname. Their marriage would last more than 20 years. It had happy times, but also brought deep heartbreak that tested her every day.
della bea robinson ray charles wife
Della Bea Robinson became known everywhere as Ray Charles’ wife after their 1955 marriage. This title brought good things but also a lot of pressure. She went from being a free gospel singer to a celebrity wife very quickly.
What people saw wasn’t always real. While everyone thought she lived a glamorous life with fame, she was often alone when Ray traveled. Della tried hard to balance taking care of her family while being married to a world-famous musician.
She never wanted the spotlight. Della preferred a simple, church-focused life. But life had other plans, and she had to use her strength and grace to deal with constant attention.
Raising Three Children with Ray Charles
One month after the wedding, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson had their first baby. Ray Charles Robinson Jr. was born on May 25, 1955. Ray wasn’t there—he was performing somewhere. She handled the birth all by herself, showing incredible strength.
Then came David Robinson in 1958 and Robert Robinson in 1960. Della raised all three sons mostly alone because Ray was always on tour. Their home in View Park, California was where she made sure her kids felt loved and safe.
She stopped her own music career to be a full-time mom. Raising children without their dad around was really tough. But Della Beatrice made sure her boys never felt alone or unwanted during their growing years.
Life as Ray Charles’ Ex-Wife in the Spotlight
Being Ray Charles’ wife meant Della Beatrice Howard faced constant public attention. Photographers and reporters followed them everywhere. She was pushed into the spotlight even though she wanted privacy.
Della didn’t want fame or enjoy being a celebrity. She just wanted a simple life with faith and family. But being “Ray Charles’ wife” meant losing some control over her private life.
During these years, she stayed calm and loyal. She went to award shows and concerts with Ray. Even when he had personal problems, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson stayed by his side and kept their family together.
Troubles in Their Marriage
At first, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson and Ray Charles were happy together. But as Ray got more famous, big problems started. He became addicted to heroin, a dangerous drug.
Ray also started having affairs with other women when he traveled. Della knew about his cheating, and it broke her heart. Despite the pain, she kept trying to hold the family together for their children.
The lies, addiction, and infidelity never stopped. Della Beatrice hoped things would get better. But after many years of suffering, even her strong heart got tired. She knew something had to change.
Why Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Left Ray Charles
In 1976, after 22 years of trying, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson made a brave choice. She filed for divorce. It wasn’t easy, but she knew it was right for her and the kids.
Ray’s drug use kept getting worse. His constant affairs destroyed all trust between them. Della had given everything to save their marriage, but now she had to think about herself and their children.
The divorce became final in 1977. Della Beatrice didn’t leave angry or bitter. She just wanted peace and a better life. She needed to protect herself and her sons from more hurt.
Della’s Life After Divorce
After the divorce, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson stepped away from everything public. She stopped doing interviews and avoided all media. She chose a quiet life far from Hollywood drama.
She moved to Riverside County, California, and focused on her family. Della raised her children with love and faith. Even though she was once married to a famous musician, she now lived as a simple mother and grandmother.
This simple life made her truly happy. She found real joy away from fame. Della Beatrice proved that peace and family matter more than being famous or rich.
Where Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Now?
In 2025, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is still alive at 96 years old. She lives in Riverside County and keeps her life very private. Her family visits often and takes good care of her.
Della doesn’t use social media at all. She never does TV shows or interviews. But many people still remember her as a woman with great strength and grace.
Her children and grandchildren love spending time with her. She enjoys simple things like family dinners and peaceful days at home. Even though Della Beatrice Howard stays out of the news, her story still inspires people everywhere.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s Net Worth
When Della Beatrice Howard Robinson divorced Ray Charles, she got a big divorce settlement. Reports say she received about $15 million, which was a lot of money back in the 1970s.
Ray Charles was worth about $75 million when he died in 2004. But Della never cared much about money or fame. What she really wanted was a peaceful life where her family felt safe and happy.
She spent her settlement wisely. Della never showed off or bought expensive things. She chose simple living and focused on what really mattered—family, faith, and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was much more than just Ray Charles’ ex-wife. She was a talented singer, loving mother, and incredibly strong woman. Her story isn’t just about fame or heartbreak, it’s about love, patience, and having the courage to walk away from pain.
She gave up her music career to support Ray and raise their children. Della stayed with him through his worst times with addiction and cheating. When the pain became too much, she chose peace instead of staying and suffering. Years later, her story teaches us something important: You can be strong even when no one sees it. You can build a good life after going through terrible pain. And you can choose your own path, even after being known only as someone’s wife. Della Beatrice Howard Robinson‘s quiet life might not be in magazines, but her strength and grace make her story worth knowing and remembering.
FAQs
Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson still alive?
Yes, she is still alive in 2025 at age 96. She lives peacefully in Riverside County, California, away from cameras and reporters.
How old is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson?
She was born in 1929, so she’s 96 years old now. Nobody knows her exact birthday, but she’s doing well for her age.
How many kids does Della Beatrice Howard Robinson have?
She has three sons with Ray Charles: Ray Jr., David, and Robert. She raised them mostly by herself while Ray traveled.
Where does Della Beatrice Howard Robinson live now?
Della Beatrice lives in Riverside County, California. Her children and grandchildren live nearby and visit her often. She enjoys her privacy and peace there.
Did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson get married again?
No, she never remarried after Ray Charles. She stayed single and spent her time raising her family and enjoying peaceful days.
