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Della Beatrice Howard Robinson, known as “Bea,” is best known as the second wife of Ray Charles, one of the most important voices in American music. Their marriage began in April 1955 and ended in 1977. During those 22 years, they had three sons and built a complex family life around Ray’s fast-rising career.
Quick bio: Della Beatrice Howard Robinson
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Della Beatrice Howard Robinson |
| Known as | “Bea” Robinson |
| Famous for | Second wife of musician Ray Charles; mother of three of his sons |
| Marriage to Ray Charles | April 5, 1955 (Texas) |
| Divorce | 1977 |
| Children with Ray | Ray Charles Robinson Jr. (born 1955), David Robinson (born around 1958), Robert Robinson (born 1961) |
| Reported background | Often described as a singer (gospel circles). Public records are limited. |
| Current status | No reliable public report of her death as of Oct 12, 2025. Some sources say she is alive, but official records are quiet. |
Early life and background
There is little verified public information about Bea’s childhood. Some reports say she was born in 1929 and was active around gospel music, but these claims are not backed by official records. Because of that, it is best to treat them as reports rather than proven facts.
What we can say clearly is that by the mid-1950s Bea met Ray Charles in Texas. Soon after, they married. Ray often called her “Bea,” and the marriage would become one of the most important parts of his personal life.
Marriage to Ray Charles
Bea married Ray in April 1955. The marriage lasted 22 years. During this time, Ray’s career exploded with hits like “What’d I Say” and “Georgia on My Mind,” long tours, and many awards. The public image showed success, but their home life had stress.
Reliable accounts of Ray’s life explain the pressure on the family, such as heavy touring, addiction, and many relationships outside the marriage. These problems hurt the marriage and finally led to a divorce in 1977.
Children and family life
Bea and Ray had three sons:
- Ray Charles Robinson Jr. (born 1955)
- David Robinson (born around 1958)
- Robert Robinson (born 1961)
The family lived for many years in View Park, California, while Ray worked and toured. Life at home was often private. However, reports in Ray’s biographies say Bea kept the household steady during long periods when Ray was on the road.
Bea’s role and public image
Bea tried to live outside the spotlight. Compared with many celebrity spouses, she gave very few interviews and did not build a public career from the marriage. Some reports describe her as a singer with roots in gospel music, but detailed records or recordings are not easy to verify. Because of this, we should describe her as “often reported as a singer” rather than state it as a firm fact.
What is clear is her influence at home. During the peak of Ray’s fame, she raised their children and managed daily life while he toured worldwide. Ray’s official biographies confirm that his personal choices, including substance use and extramarital affairs, put a strain on the marriage, which finally ended in 1977.
After the divorce
After the divorce, Bea kept a low profile. Unlike many celebrity ex-spouses, she did not become a public figure. Some reports state that she is still alive and living quietly. There is no formal public record, such as a major obituary, that says otherwise as of October 12, 2025. Because official updates are limited, any exact current details should be treated with care.
How reliable sources see this story
When writing about Bea, it is best to rely on trusted references about Ray Charles because they were fact-checked and updated over time. The main records confirm that Bea was Ray’s second wife, that they married in 1955, divorced in 1977, and had three sons together.
More popular articles and news features sometimes add extra details, for example, calling Bea a gospel singer or giving a birth year. These items can be helpful for context, but they are not always verified the same way as reference entries. Where such claims appear, this article treats them carefully.
Why Bea’s story matters
Bea’s story shows the hidden side of fame. While Ray changed American music, Bea kept the home and raised three sons. Her choice to live away from cameras means there are fewer public records, but the confirmed facts show a strong, steady presence during a very intense time in music history. The dates of the marriage and divorce, the names of the children, and the stress the family faced are not rumors; they are recorded in trusted biographical sources.
Final thoughts
Della Beatrice “Bea” Howard Robinson lived a quiet life next to a very loud fame. We know the key facts: marriage in 1955, three sons, and a divorce in 1977 after many hard years. We also know she kept her privacy, so there are fewer details in public records. Using trusted information, we can still draw a clear, respectful picture. Bea was central to Ray’s family life and helped hold things together while he changed the sound of modern music.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1) Who is Della Beatrice Howard Robinson?
She is the second wife of Ray Charles and the mother of three of his sons. She is often called “Bea.”
2) When did Bea and Ray Charles marry?
They married on April 5, 1955.
3) When did they divorce?
They divorced in 1977.
4) How many children did they have?
They had three sons: Ray Charles Robinson Jr. (1955), David Robinson (around 1958), and Robert Robinson (1961).
5) Was Bea a singer?
Many articles describe her as a gospel-style singer, but detailed credits are limited in public records. So we treat it as a reported detail, not a fully confirmed fact.
6) Where did the family live?
The family lived in View Park, California, while Ray toured and recorded.
7) Why did the marriage end?
Reliable biographies explain that substance addiction and extramarital affairs harmed the marriage, leading to the 1977 divorce.
8) Is Bea still alive?
There is no confirmed public obituary as of October 12, 2025. Some outlets list her as alive, but official updates are scarce.
9) What is Bea’s legacy?
Bea’s legacy is the family she built with Ray and her role in supporting the household during his busiest years. Her choice to stay private is also part of her story.
10) Where can I read more from reliable sources?
You can check standard biographies of Ray Charles and respected music history sites for confirmed dates and family facts.
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