5 key facts about Gladys Knight you might have missed

Gladys Knight is a soul, gospel, and R&B singer who is best known for her hit songs “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “That’s What Friends Are For.” However, there are other facts about the singer’s life which many people don’t know.

She sang the national anthem before kick off at this year’s Super Bowl. The match took place in the multiple Grammy Award-winning singer’s hometown, Atlanta.

At the beginning of her career, she was part of an act called “Gladys Knight and the Pips.” The latter part of their name consisted of her cousins and siblings: Brenda, Merald, William, and Eleanor.

FACTS ABOUT GLADYS

Gladys has been married four times. Her ex-husbands were James Newman, Barry Hankerson, and Les Brown. She is currently married to William McDowell.

She had two children with her first husband and on with her second. Her children are called James the third, Kenya, and Shanga.

Speaking of Shanga, he owns a restaurant which specializes in chicken and waffles (a favorite dish in the South). However, she does not allow him to use her name in any of the advertising or merchandising.

Her firstborn son, James, unfortunately, passed away in 1999 when he was just 36 years old. He is survived by his wife, Michelene, and five children; Nastasia, Gabrielle, Rishawn, Stefan, and Sterling.

GLADYS ON VACATION

In December last year, Gladys went on vacation with her husband. During their time on holiday, they rode all-terrain vehicles (ATV). Her husband filmed her spin on the ATV.

In the vehicle, Gladys is wearing a tight pair of pants and a loose jacket while she drives the ATV around on a lawn. She does not seem nervous or scared at all and even chats to her husband during her ride.

The location of their holiday is unknown, but judging from the video they seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.