James Newman is famous as the former husband of Gladys Maria Knight. James’ ex-wife Gladys is a singer, songwriter, and actress. She was a member of Gladys Knight & the Pips. As an actress, she has appeared in the films Pipe Dreams, Hollywood Homicide, I Can Do Bad All by Myself, Coming 2 America, and many more.

James Newman: Bio Summary

Who Is Gladys Knight’s Ex-husband, James Newman?

James “Jimmy” Newman is the first husband of Gladys Knight. He has been referred to as an Atlanta musician. He was reportedly a music manager for Gladys’ band the Pips. He married Gladys after she got pregnant at the age of 16. They got married in the year 1960. Gladys had a miscarriage which she revealed in her autobiography, “Between Each Line of Pain and Glory: My Life Story”.

Gladys Knight lost the baby while she was in a hotel room. She was on the road touring with her band, the “Pips” at the time. During James Newman and Gladys’ marriage, they had two children. They welcomed a son, James “Jimmy” Gaston Newman III on August 13, 1962. Their daughter Kenya Maria Newman was born in November 1963.

James Newman was a drug addict. His drug dependency created problems in his marriage to Gladys Knight. He reportedly left his wife and children at the time his wife Gladys was 20 years old. Gladys was left to raise their children on her own. She even had to retire from the road at some point to raise their first child while the Pips toured on their own.

However, Gladys later had to return to recording with the Pips to provide for her family. James and Gladys were married for several years before they got divorced in 1973. Gladys still referred to James as the love of her life, in her autobiography. Most details of James Newman’s life are unknown because he did share information about his life with the public.

After James Newman and Gladys Knight got divorced, Gladys found love again after she met Barry Hankerson. Barry is a record producer, music label owner, and manager. Gladys and Barry got married on October 12, 1974. They have one child together. Their son Shanga Ali Hankerson was born on August 1, 1976. Gladys and Barry got divorced in 1979.

ALSO, READ: James Newman III: What Happened To Gladys Knight’s Son?

They went through a prolonged custody battle over their son. Gladys spent more than a million dollars searching for her son who was kidnapped. Gladys moved on and got married for the third time to Les Brown, a politician and motivational speaker. They got married on August 29, 1995. Their marriage ended in 1997. Gladys has been married to William McDowell since April 12, 2001.

What Happened To Gladys Knight’s Ex-husband?

Gladys Knight’s former husband James Newman has passed away. He died a few years after he and Gladys got divorced in 1973. Gladys believes that his constant drug abuse may have played a role or caused his death in the 1970s. James and Gladys’ son James Newman III who managed Gladys’ career through his Newman Management Inc. is dead.

James Newman III was killed by heart failure on July 10, 1999, at age 37. He was married to Michelene/ Micheline Newman and they had five children. They had three sons and two daughters. Their daughters are Nastasia Newman and Gabrielle Newman and their sons Rishawn Newman, Stefan Newman, and Sterling Newman. In a statement, Gladys Knight said: “We are devastated by the tragic loss of Jimmy.”

“He was a very special person and his absence in our family will be greatly felt.” James Newman III’s mother Gladys Knight added: “For years he had been our champion and the bedrock of this family through the example of his works and faith. We will always be grateful for his love and for introducing us to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Not long before he passed away, James Newman III was appointed vice president of West Coast operations for Blackground/Virgin Records. Gladys Knight, also known as the “Empress of Soul”, recorded hits through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with Gladys Knight & the Pips. She has also been successful in her solo career.

ALSO, READ: William McDowell: Who Is Gladys Knight’s Husband?

As an actress, Gladys is known for her roles in films such as Pipe Dreams, Twenty Bucks, Hollywood Homicide, Unbeatable Harold, I Can Do Bad All by Myself, Almost Christmas, Coming 2 America, and television series such as The Jeffersons, Charlie & Co., Out All Night, New York Undercover, Living Single, The Jamie Foxx Show, Las Vegas, The First Family, and Star.

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