Della Beatrice Howard Robinson : The Untold Story of Ray Charles’ Strong Wife

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is best known as the woman who stood beside music legend Ray Charles for many years. She was his second wife and the mother of three of his children. But Della’s own life story is strong and inspiring too.

Even though Ray Charles was famous all over the world, Della lived a quiet and simple life. She didn’t try to be in the spotlight. She stayed calm, kind, and focused on her family. Her journey was not easy, but she stayed strong.

In this article, we will look at Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s full story. We’ll talk about her early life, her music career, her love story with Ray, the problems in their marriage, and what happened to her after their divorce. It’s time to know her better.

Della Beatrice Robinson Profile Summary

Attributes	Details
Full Name	Della Beatrice Howard Robinson
Nickname	Bea
Birth Year	1929
Age (as of 2026)	97 years old
Birthplace	Los Angeles, California, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	African-American
Religion	Christian
Height	5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
Weight	168 pounds (76 kg)
Profession	Former gospel singer
Marital Status	Divorced
Famous As	Ray Charles’ second wife
Children	Ray Jr., David, and Robert Robinson

Who Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson?

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is best known as the second wife of Ray Charles, the famous singer and pianist. But her own life is just as interesting. She was a gospel singer with a strong voice and a kind heart.

She lived a simple life, full of hard work and love for her family. Even though her husband was a global star, Della chose to stay private and focused on raising their children. Her strength, patience, and quiet support helped Ray during the biggest years of his career. Della’s story is about love, pain, and silent courage.

Early Life of Della Beatrice Howard Robinson

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was born in 1929 in Los Angeles, California. She didn’t grow up with her parents together. Her mom raised her alone because her parents were never married. Her father lived far away and wasn’t part of her childhood.

As a young girl, Della lived on her family’s farm. Life there was simple but not always easy. She helped with farming and housework from a young age. She had to grow up fast and learn how to take care of things early in life.

She went to school in Richmond until the fourth grade. But after that, her life changed, and she had to take on more family duties. These early years taught her how to work hard, stay patient, and handle challenges without giving up.

Growing Up Without a Father

Della’s parents were never married, and her father didn’t live with them. He had another family and wasn’t close to Della. She knew who he was, but he didn’t play a role in her life or help raise her.

Not having a father around made her childhood harder. She often felt the absence, especially when she saw other children with both parents. But even with that pain, she found comfort in the love of her mother and other family members.

Instead of being angry, Della stayed strong and focused on the good things she did have. She learned to depend on herself and the people who truly cared for her. This helped her become the strong woman she would later be known as.

Life Was Not Easy for Della

When she was still young, Della moved from the farm to Houston to live with her mother. But life there was very difficult. Her mother stayed out late, and they often argued. Della felt unhappy and stressed living in that home.

She left school and began taking care of her younger brother, James. She was just a teenager but had to take on big responsibilities. Life was tough, and she had to grow up fast without much support or help from others.

To survive, Della started working as a waitress. Later, she also sang in churches to earn some money. These jobs were not easy, but she didn’t give up. She kept pushing through hard times with a strong heart and brave spirit.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s Career

Even though life was hard, Della had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She joined a gospel group when she was just a teenager. The group sang in churches and slowly began to get noticed by people in the music world.

A man named Cecil Shaw saw her talent and helped her grow. He guided her group and helped them improve. Soon, they were performing on the radio and in big churches. They even got a recording deal and made music for others to enjoy.

Della’s face was on music CDs, and people started to recognize her voice. She was on the path to a real gospel career. Even though it was a small beginning, it showed how strong and talented she really was before she met Ray Charles.

Two Marriages Before Ray Charles

Before meeting Ray Charles, Della was married twice. Her first husband was the son of a church minister. At first, she thought he was kind and loving, but after marriage, he started to hurt her and treated her badly.

She left him and later married another man, hoping for a better life. But the second marriage was worse. He was even more violent, and Della became afraid for her safety. She finally ran away from him to save herself.

These painful experiences made Della scared to trust men again. She had already suffered so much. But even after all the hurt, she didn’t lose hope. She stayed strong and believed that one day, she could find real love.

How She Met Ray Charles

Della met Ray Charles in 1954 in Texas. He heard her sing a song called “Pray On, My Child” and wanted to meet her. Della wasn’t impressed by him at first. She didn’t like his wild lifestyle or his way of living.

But Ray didn’t give up. He kept finding ways to see her and talk to her. Della was careful because of her past, but slowly, she gave him a chance. She liked how he kept trying and how honest he was about his feelings.

They started dating, even though it wasn’t easy. Ray was always traveling for music shows, but he still kept in touch with Della. He even rented a house next to hers in Houston just to stay close to her. That’s how serious he was about her.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Marriage to Ray Charles

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson and Ray Charles got married on April 5, 1955. Their wedding was small and simple. It didn’t take place in a church or big hall. They were married in a back room by a woman they had never met before.

After marriage, Della moved in with Ray and began a new life. It was not always easy because Ray was often on the road performing. But Della stayed home, took care of their house, and kept everything together while Ray chased his music dream.

Even though she had her own singing talent, Della stopped her career after marriage. She gave all her time to building a home and raising their children. She chose love and family over fame. That’s how strong and caring she was.

Della Life as a Mother and Wife

Della and Ray had three sons together. Their first child, Ray Charles Jr., was born in May 1955. Then came David in 1958, and Robert in 1960. Della raised them mostly by herself while Ray was busy with music and travel.

She kept the home running, helped the kids with school, and made sure they had everything they needed. It wasn’t easy being both mother and father while Ray was away, but Della handled it with quiet strength.

Even though life was hard, she stayed calm. She never complained in public. She didn’t chase fame or try to be seen. She just focused on her children and stayed true to her role as a mother and wife.

The Pain of Ray’s Affairs

Sadly, their marriage was not perfect. Ray Charles had many affairs with other women. Some of these women were also singers who worked with him, like Mary Ann Fisher and Margie Hendricks.

Della knew about his cheating. At first, she tried to stay strong for the kids. But with time, it became too painful. Ray’s actions hurt her deeply, and he even had children outside of their marriage.

For years, Della stayed silent and held everything inside. But after 22 years of marriage, she decided she had been hurt enough. She made the hard choice to walk away and start over.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Divorce

In 1976, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson filed for divorce. The court case showed that Ray had fathered a child with another woman. He was ordered to pay child support, and that was the final blow for Della.

Their divorce became official in 1977. Della walked away with their Southridge home, a large cash payment, monthly child support, and a trust fund for her three sons. It was a fair deal, but no amount of money could fix the heartbreak.

Even after the divorce, she never spoke badly about Ray. She stayed quiet and respectful. That shows how kind and mature she really was. She handled the breakup with calm and grace.

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Life After Divorce

After leaving Ray, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson stayed away from fame and the media. She moved to Riverside County, California and started a private life. She never remarried and didn’t return to the spotlight.

She focused on raising her sons and enjoying peace. She didn’t give interviews or write books. She simply wanted to live quietly after years of stress and public attention.

As of 2026, no reports have confirmed her death. She is believed to still be alive and living a private life in her 90s. Many people admire how she stayed strong and lived with grace all these years.

Final Thoughts

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson may not be a big name in showbiz, but her story is full of quiet power. She went through hard childhood, painful marriages, and a long life in the shadow of fame. Yet she never gave up or lost her way.

She supported Ray Charles during the biggest years of his career. She raised three sons with love and care. She gave up her own music dreams to keep her family strong. That takes real strength and heart.

Today, people are still learning about Della Beatrice Howard Robinson. Her story teaches us that true strength doesn’t need to be loud. Sometimes, the quietest people carry the biggest burdens — and handle them with grace.