- Born
- Birth nameGladys Maria Knight
- Nickname
- The Empress of Soul
- Height5′ 3½″ (1.61 m)
- Gladys Knight was born on May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She is an actress and composer, known for Hollywood Homicide (2003), The Butler (2013) and Licence to Kill (1989). She has been married to William McDowell since April 12, 2001. She was previously married to Les Brown, Barry Hankerson and James Newman.
- SpousesWilliam McDowell(April 12, 2001 - present)Les Brown(August 29, 1995 - 1997) (divorced)Barry Hankerson(October 12, 1974 - 1979) (divorced, 1 child)James Newman(1960 - 1973) (divorced, 2 children)
- ChildrenJimmy Newman II
- ParentsMerald Woodlow Knight SrSarah Elizabeth Woods
- RelativesMerald Knight(Sibling)Brenda Knight(Sibling)David Knight(Sibling)William Guest(Cousin)Edward Patten(Cousin)James 'Pip' Woods(Cousin)Nastasia Newman(Grandchild)Gabrielle Newman(Grandchild)Rishawn Newman(Grandchild)Stefan Newman(Grandchild)Sterling Newman(Grandchild)Eleanor Guest(Cousin)
- Aunt, by marriage, of singer Aaliyah (she was married to Aaliyah's uncle Barry Hankerson).
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of Gladys Knight and the Pips) in 1996.
- She has three children, sixteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
- The name, "The Pips", came from the name of their manager, James "Pip" Woods, who is also Knight's cousin.
- She owns a chain of chicken and waffles restaurants based in Atlanta.
- Believe me when I say this: you can't please everyone in concert, even though I still want to. Someone always wants you to sing a song that isn't necessarily on your set list. So I'm heavy on the medleys these days.
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