Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is a woman who played a quiet but important role in music history. She was married to the legendary Ray Charles for over 20 years. Not many people talk about her, but her story is worth knowing. She stood by one of the greatest musicians of all time through some very tough times.
Della was more than just a famous man’s wife. She was a devoted mother who raised their children with love and strength. While Ray Charles was busy touring the world, she kept the family together at home. Her dedication as a mother and her grace under pressure made her one of the most remarkable women behind music legends.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Della Beatrice Howard Robinson |
| Nickname | Bea |
| Date of Birth | 1929 |
| Place of Birth | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Profession | Homemaker |
| Famous For | Ex-wife of Ray Charles |
| Married To | Ray Charles |
| Marriage Year | 1955 |
| Divorce Year | 1977 |
| Years Together | 22 Years |
| Children | 3 Sons |
| Sons Names | Ray Charles Jr., David Robinson, Robert Robinson |
| Ex-Husband Profession | Singer, Musician, Pianist |
| Ex-Husband Born | September 23, 1930 |
| Ex-Husband Died | June 10, 2004 |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Early Life of Della Beatrice Howard Robinson
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson was born in 1929 in the United States. She grew up in a humble and simple family environment. From a young age, she was known for being calm, kind, and warm-hearted. Her upbringing shaped her into the strong and patient woman she later became.
Not much was shared publicly about her childhood or school years. She lived a very private life even before she became known to the world. She came from the African-American community and was raised with strong values and faith. The early life of Della Beatrice Howard Robinson quietly prepared her for the big responsibilities she would carry later as a wife and mother.
Her Love for Gospel Music
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson had a deep and genuine love for gospel music from an early age. Music was a big part of her life and her faith. She found comfort and joy in the powerful words and melodies of gospel songs. It was something that stayed close to her heart throughout her entire life.
Her love for gospel music was actually one of the things that brought her closer to Ray Charles. The two shared a strong connection through their mutual love of music. Gospel singer Della Beatrice was even singing in a gospel group when she first crossed paths with Ray. Music was not just a hobby for her but a true passion that defined a big part of who she was.
How Della Beatrice Met Ray Charles

Della Beatrice first met Ray Charles in the early 1950s during a time when he was making a name for himself in the music world. She was singing with a gospel group when their paths crossed for the very first time. Ray was instantly drawn to her warm personality and her beautiful spirit. It was a meeting that would soon change both of their lives forever.
The two quickly built a strong connection after that first encounter. Ray Charles was charmed by Della’s grace, kindness, and deep love for music. They spent more time together and their bond grew deeper with every passing day. What started as a simple meeting between two music lovers soon blossomed into a beautiful love story that became an important part of Ray Charles’ personal life.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s Wedding to Ray Charles
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson and Ray Charles tied the knot in 1955 in a simple and intimate ceremony. It was a special day that marked the beginning of a new chapter in both of their lives. Della looked forward to building a loving home and a strong family with the man she deeply cared for. Their wedding brought together two people who shared a powerful bond built on love and music.
After their marriage, Della stepped into her role as a wife with full dedication and grace. She stood by Ray Charles as he continued to grow into one of the most iconic musicians in the world. While Ray focused on his music career, Della committed herself to making their home a warm and stable place. The marriage of Della Beatrice Howard Robinson to Ray Charles was a true partnership that lasted for over two decades together.
Raising Three Children with Ray Charles
Della Beatrice and Ray Charles were blessed with three sons together during their marriage. Their children’s names were Ray Charles Jr., David Robinson, and Robert Robinson. Della took on the primary role of raising the boys while Ray was constantly traveling and performing around the world. She gave her children love, structure, and a stable home life every single day.
Being the wife of a world-famous musician was not always easy, but Della never complained. She handled the responsibility of raising three boys mostly on her own with incredible strength and patience. Many people wonder who raised Ray Charles’ children and the answer is Della who did it with grace and love. Her dedication as a mother was one of the greatest and most admirable parts of her life story.
Life as Ray Charles’ Ex-Wife in the Spotlight
Being married to Ray Charles meant that Della was always living close to the public eye. Ray was one of the most famous musicians in the world and people were always watching his life closely. Despite all the attention around her husband, Della chose to stay quiet and private. She never sought fame for herself and always preferred to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible.
After their divorce in 1977, Della continued to live her life with dignity and grace. She did not speak badly about Ray Charles in public or seek attention from the media. Instead she focused on her children and her own personal peace. Her ability to hold her head high after such a long and complicated marriage showed just how strong and classy a woman she truly was, making her one of the most respected famous musician wives in history.
Troubles in Their Marriage

The marriage between Della Beatrice and Ray Charles was not without its very serious problems. Ray Charles was well known for his struggles with drug addiction throughout much of his career. He was also unfaithful to Della many times during their years together. These were deeply painful issues that put a heavy burden on Della and their family life.
Ray Charles fathered several children with other women while he was still married to Della. This was a heartbreaking reality that Della had to face and live with for many years. She endured a great deal of pain and disappointment behind closed doors. Despite all the troubles she faced in her marriage, Della handled everything with remarkable patience and quiet dignity that very few people could manage, making Ray Charles’ marriage struggles one of the most painful untold stories in music history.
Why Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Left Ray Charles
After more than two decades of marriage, Della Beatrice finally made the difficult decision to leave Ray Charles in 1977. The years of infidelity and emotional pain had simply become too much for her to bear any longer. Ray had fathered children with multiple other women during their marriage which caused Della tremendous heartbreak. She reached a point where she had to choose her own peace and well being over staying in a troubled marriage.
Della filed for divorce after years of standing by a man who had repeatedly let her down in very serious ways. It was not an easy decision for a woman who had given so much of herself to her family. The Ray Charles divorce story is one of heartbreak and silent suffering that Della carried for years. Her decision to leave was not about giving up but about finally choosing herself and her own happiness after so many years of struggle.
Della’s Life After Divorce
After her divorce from Ray Charles, Della Beatrice chose to live a very quiet and private life away from the public eye. She stepped away from the fame and attention that came with being Ray Charles’ wife and focused on herself. She poured her energy into raising her three sons and making sure they grew up well. Life after divorce from Ray Charles was a fresh start for Della and she embraced it with quiet strength and courage.
Della never rushed into another public relationship or sought attention from the media after her split from Ray. She lived modestly and kept her personal life very much to herself. Her faith and love for gospel music continued to be a source of comfort and joy for her. She proved that a person could walk away from a painful chapter and still build a peaceful and meaningful life for themselves.
Where Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Now?
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson has continued to live a very low key and private life in her later years. She has stayed completely away from the media and public attention since her divorce from Ray Charles. Very little information is available about her current whereabouts or daily life today. Many people still ask where Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is now but she has clearly chosen to protect her privacy and live her life on her own quiet terms.
What we do know is that Della raised three sons who carry on the legacy of their famous father Ray Charles. She gave her children a strong foundation that has stayed with them throughout their lives. Della may not be in the spotlight but her impact as a mother and a woman of strength is undeniable. She remains a respected and admirable figure to those who know her incredible life story and everything she went through.
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s Net Worth

Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s exact net worth is not publicly known as she has always lived a very private life. However it is believed that she received a significant divorce settlement after her split from Ray Charles in 1977. Ray Charles himself was worth millions of dollars at the time of his death in 2004. It is likely that Della was financially taken care of through their divorce agreement after 22 years of marriage.
Della never pursued her own public career or business ventures after her divorce from Ray Charles. She lived modestly and quietly away from the glamour and wealth of the music world. Her focus was always on her family and her personal life rather than accumulating fame or fortune. While her exact financial details remain unknown, Della is believed to have lived a comfortable and stable life after walking away from her marriage to one of the greatest musicians of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson?
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is the ex-wife of legendary musician Ray Charles. She is best known for raising their three sons during and after their marriage.
When did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson marry Ray Charles?
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson married Ray Charles in 1955. They stayed together for over 22 years before divorcing in 1977.
How many children did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson have with Ray Charles?
Della and Ray Charles had three sons together. Their names are Ray Charles Jr., David Robinson, and Robert Robinson.
Why did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson divorce Ray Charles?
Della divorced Ray Charles due to his repeated infidelity and emotional pain he caused during their marriage. She made the brave decision to leave and choose her own peace and happiness.
When did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson and Ray Charles get divorced?
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson and Ray Charles officially divorced in 1977. Their marriage had lasted for more than two decades before the split.
How did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson meet Ray Charles?
Della first met Ray Charles in the early 1950s when she was singing in a gospel group. Their shared love of music brought them together and they quickly fell in love.
What is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson doing now?
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson continues to live a very private and quiet life away from the public eye. Very little is known about her current whereabouts today.
What is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s net worth?
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s exact net worth is not publicly known. However she is believed to have received a solid financial settlement after her divorce from Ray Charles.
Did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson ever remarry after Ray Charles?
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson never publicly remarried after her divorce from Ray Charles. She chose to live privately and focus on her children and personal peace.
How did Della Beatrice Howard Robinson raise her children after divorce?
Della raised her three sons with love, strength, and strong values after her divorce. She stayed away from the spotlight and devoted herself fully to being a dedicated and caring mother.
Conclusions
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson lived a life that was far from easy but always full of strength and grace. She stood by Ray Charles through his rise to fame while quietly raising their three sons at home. Despite the pain of infidelity and a broken marriage she never lost her dignity or her values. Her story is a powerful reminder that the people behind famous names often carry the heaviest loads in silence.
Della will always be remembered as a woman who put her family first above everything else in her life. She raised three children largely on her own while dealing with heartbreak that most people could never imagine. Her love for gospel music, her quiet faith and her unbreakable spirit defined who she truly was. Della Beatrice Howard Robinson may not be a household name but her strength and sacrifice deserve to be celebrated and remembered forever.