Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, often referred to as “Bea,” remains a name closely tied to one of America’s most iconic musicians—Ray Charles. While Ray is remembered for revolutionizing soul music and crafting unforgettable melodies, Della’s life behind the scenes was one of resilience, dedication, and quiet strength. Though she lived in the shadow of a legendary figure, her journey is equally worthy of attention, marked by personal sacrifice, maternal devotion, and enduring grace.
In this in-depth article, we’ll explore Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s early life, her brief gospel career, her long and tumultuous marriage to Ray Charles, and her life after stepping out of the limelight.
Who Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson?
Born in 1929 in Los Angeles, California, Della Beatrice Howard Robinson grew up under modest and challenging circumstances. Her parents never married, and they separated shortly after her birth. Raised by her single mother on an 80-acre farm, Della’s childhood was defined by self-reliance, faith, and a strong moral compass. Her family’s farm, inherited from her maternal side, provided a serene environment despite the absence of a father figure.
Della attended school in Richmond until the fourth grade, after which her life took a different path—one that would eventually intersect with the world of music.
Della’s Gospel Singing Career
Della had established her footprint in the music scene before she joined the world of Ray Charles as his wife. She started by singing gospel as a member of the church choir of Cecil Shaw, where people recognized her strong voice, which has the ability to stir the soul. The live and radio performances she made with her churchmates won her opportunities to record and she later came up with songs that could be found in compact discs (CDs).
Her career in the gospel industry was still in its take-off stage, but Della was talented and compelling enough to achieve a lot. But her meeting with Ray Charles in 1954, would change her life path radically.
Overview of Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s Life
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Della Beatrice Howard Robinson |
| Nickname | Bea |
| Year of Birth | 1929 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Profession | Former gospel singer |
| Known For | Ex-wife of Ray Charles |
| Children with Ray | 3 (Ray Jr., David, Robert) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $15 million |
| Current Residence | Riverside County, California |
| Current Age | 95 (as of 2024) |
Della’s Previous Marriages
This is not the first failed marriage of Della, even before the coming of Ray Charles into her life. She never made any confessions of who her earlier spouses were but she is known to have had a very traumatic relationship with her first marriage, which involved abuse. This fueled her escape to New York City, where she felt safer and emotionally stable.
She had some bad past experiences in her romantic relationships that made her careful yet dedicated to marriage, something that she brought across with her in her relationship with Ray.
Meeting Ray Charles: A Life-Changing Turn
Della met Ray Charles in Houston, Texas in 1954, during the height of her gospel career. Their meeting was serendipitous and sparked a deep connection. Within a year, the couple got married on April 5, 1955. Ray affectionately called her “Bea,” a name that stuck with her throughout their relationship.
Marriage to Ray Charles: Love, Loyalty, and Hardship
From the outside, the union of Della and Ray looked like a fairy tale—a rising star in gospel music married to a musical genius. But behind closed doors, the relationship was far from perfect.
Della and Ray had three children together:
- Ray Charles Robinson Jr. – Born on May 25, 1955
- David Robinson – Born in 1958
- Robert Robinson – Born in 1960
While Della was raising their children in View Park, California, Ray was often away on tour, balancing fame with a hidden lifestyle. Despite his frequent absences, Della held the family together, devoting herself to motherhood and creating a stable home.
Ray Charles’ Infidelity and Substance Abuse
Ray Charles drug addiction and infidelity were well known as one of the strongest pressures on their marriage. She put up with it when Ray engaged in affairs with several other women all those years, some of whom gave birth to his children.
Ray Charles sired all 12 children by ten women. Other Children born out of his Wedding to Della. Other than the three children that he bore to Della, there are other children that he was known to have:
- Evelyn Robinson
- Charles Wayne Hendricks
- Sheila Raye Charles
- Alexandra Bertrand
- Renee Robinson
Ray’s inability to maintain fidelity, compounded by his long-term heroin addiction, became too much for Della to bear.
Divorce: The End of a Turbulent Journey
After 22 years of marriage, Della finally filed for divorce in 1976. The decision was driven by Ray’s continued drug dependency, extramarital affairs, and emotional unavailability. While it was a painful choice, it was one that allowed Della to protect herself and her children from a toxic environment.
Her decision reflected the quiet courage and dignity with which she lived her entire life. Unlike many celebrity ex-wives who capitalized on their stories, Della chose privacy over publicity.
Life After Divorce: A Return to Peace
After her divorce, Della Howard Robinson withdrew from the public eye. She never remarried, nor did she return to her music career. Instead, she focused on raising her three sons in a more grounded and serene environment.
While Ray Charles remained a towering figure in music until his death in 2004, Della continued to live in Riverside County, California, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Despite her association with a high-profile figure, Della has managed to maintain an impressively low profile, a testament to her humility and desire for a peaceful life.
Net Worth and Financial Stability
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson is estimated to be worth $15 million and much of this was gained as a result of the divorce proceeds that she got when she split with Ray Charles. Ray had amassed a fortune of about 75 million dollars and at the time of his death, the wealth was due to a span of decades selling records, performing live, as well as receiving music royalties.
Della was never good enough to aspire to fame or fortune, yet her ability to become stable financially in her later life is in some ways indicative of her silent strength and self-sacrifices to the family.
Is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson Still Alive?
As of 2024, Della is still believed to be alive and living a private life. Though there have been occasional rumors about her health, no credible reports have confirmed her passing. At 95 years old, she continues to be a living symbol of a bygone era—an era of loyalty, perseverance, and personal sacrifice.
Conclusion: More Than Ray Charles’ Ex-Wife
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson’s life cannot be confined to the label of “Ray Charles’ ex-wife.” She was a talented gospel singer, a loving mother, and a woman of remarkable inner strength. Despite the emotional turmoil of being married to a complex genius like Ray Charles, she held her family together with grace and resilience.
Although Ray will always be recognized because of the music he left behind, Della deserves to be remembered because of what she has endured when it came to standing by her children, her own strength, and her determination to just create something positive out of herself despite being in the shadows. It is a story of unsung heroism; it was not lived on the stage or even in the sacredness of family.
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