Gladys Maria Knight, born on May 28, 1944, and known as the “Empress of Soul,” is an American singer and ten-time Grammy Award winner. With her family group, Gladys Knight & the Pips, she recorded hits in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, including two number-one Billboard Hot 100 singles.
Knight’s accolades include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the National Medal of Arts, and Kennedy Center Honors. Rolling Stone ranked her among the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
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Gladys Knight’s Net Worth
Gladys Knight has a net worth of $8 million. In 1997, she purchased a home in Las Vegas for $695,000, selling it in 2018 for $720,000 despite difficulties due to customizations like a basement recording studio.
She and her husband also own a home on a golf course in Henderson, Nevada. In 2007, Knight bought a 20-acre farm in Fairview, North Carolina, where they currently reside.
Early life
Gladys Knight, born on May 28, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Sarah Elizabeth and Merald Woodlow Knight Sr., began singing gospel at age four in Mount Moriah Baptist Church. At eight, she won Ted Mack’s The Original Amateur Hour TV contest. She formed The Pips with her siblings and cousins, named after their cousin and manager James “Pip” Woods.
They performed at various venues before signing with Brunswick Records in 1957. Knight recorded her first hit single, “Every Beat of My Heart,” at 16. She briefly left the group to start a family with her husband Jimmy Newman but later returned. Knight attended Booker T. Washington High School and Archer High School.
Solo Career
Gladys Knight released her first solo LP, “Miss Gladys Knight,” in 1978, followed by “Gladys Knight” in 1979. She reformed the Pips in the early 1980s, recording their final LP in 1987. In 1989, Knight recorded the theme song for the James Bond film “License to Kill.”
Her 1991 solo LP, “Good Woman,” topped the R&B chart, and “Just for You” was nominated for a Grammy in 1995. By 2014, she had released 30 top-40 R&B albums, including those with the Pips, culminating with “Where My Heart Belongs.”
Personal life
In 1960, Gladys Knight married musician James “Jimmy” Newman, with whom she had two children, James III and Kenya. The couple moved to Detroit in the early 1960s, but Newman later struggled with addiction and left the family. They divorced in 1973. In 1974, Knight married Barry Hankerson, founder of Blackground Records, and they had a son, Shanga, before divorcing in 1979.
Knight married Les Brown in 1995 and divorced in 1997. She became a Mormon in 1997, inspired by her children. Knight married William McDowell in 2001 and resides in Fairview, North Carolina. She overcame a decade-long gambling addiction with Gamblers Anonymous.
How many Grammys does Gladys Knight have?
The “Empress of Soul” has been crowned with seven Grammy Awards – four as a solo artist and three with the Pips, marking her reign in the world of music.
Conclusion
Gladys Knight, with her powerful voice, has etched her name in the annals of music history. Her journey, from the southern churches to the grand stages of the world, mirrors a tale of passion, perseverance, and unparalleled talent. As she continues to inspire new generations, her financial legacy stands as a testament to her greatness.
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FAQs about Gladys Knight’s Net Worth
- Who is Gladys Knight?
A seven-time Grammy Award-winning American singer and leader of “Gladys Knight & the Pips.” - How much is Gladys Knight’s net worth?
Approximately $28 million. - When did Gladys Knight achieve major fame?
During the late 1960s and early 1970s with hits like “I Heard It through the Grapevine.” - How many Grammy Awards has Gladys Knight won?
She has clinched seven Grammy Awards in total. - How did Gladys Knight start her musical journey?
Knight started singing in church choirs and later formed “Gladys Knight & the Pips” with her family members.
