Smokey Robinson Biography: William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. born February 19, 1940 is a legendary American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He founded and led the groundbreaking Motown vocal group, The Miracles, where he served as the primary songwriter and producer. Robinson guided the group from its early days in 1955, when they were known as The Five Chimes, until 1972, when he retired from the group to focus on his role as Motown Records’ vice president. He returned to the music scene as a solo artist in 1973 and left Motown in 1999. In recognition of his immense contributions to music, Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received the prestigious Library of Congress Gershwin Prize in 2016.
Smokey Robinson Biography
Smokey Robinson, a multi-talented performer, writer, and producer, has had a career and life deeply intertwined with Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. Robinson’s first two children are even named after the label and Gordy himself—his daughter Tamla, after the Gordy-owned label he recorded for, and his son Berry, in honor of Gordy. Robinson and Gordy’s professional and personal relationship dates back to the late 1950s when Robinson joined Gordy’s growing musical empire. Not only was he a performer with his group, The Miracles, but he also contributed as a songwriter and producer. By the early 1960s, Robinson and The Miracles had an unbroken string of hits on Gordy’s Tamla label, although they had some minor hits on other labels before that. Robinson’s smooth, warm tenor was perfectly suited for the romantic ballads he wrote for the group.
Smokey Robinson Biography 2025 Details
| Birth name | William Robinson Jr. |
| Born | February 19, 1940 (age 85) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B
soul pop |
| Occupations | Singer
songwriter record producer |
| Years active | 1955–present |
| Labels | Motown
Universal SBK Liquid 8 Robso |
| Formerly of | The Miracles |
| Spouses | Claudette Rogers
(m. 1959; div. 1986) Frances Gladney (m. 2002) |
| Category | Football Biographies |
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About Smokey Robinson
William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He was the founder and frontman of the pioneering Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter and producer.
Smokey Robinson Wiki
- Born: 19 February 1940 (age 85 years), Detroit, Michigan, United States
- Spouse: Frances Gladney (m. 2002), Claudette Rogers Robinson (m. 1959–1986)
- Music group: The Miracles (1955 – 1972)
- Children: Tamla Claudette Robinson, Trey Robinson, Berry William Borope Robinson
- Parents: Flossie Robinson, William Robinson
Early life and early career
William Robinson Jr. was born in the North End area of Detroit, Michigan, to an African-American father and a mother of African-American and French descent. Raised in a poor family, Robinson had two maternal half-sisters, and his parents divorced when he was just three years old. In addition to his African-American and French heritage, Robinson’s ancestry also includes Nigerian, Scandinavian, Portuguese, and Cherokee roots. His uncle Claude gave him the childhood nickname “Smokey Joe.”
\In 2012, Robinson shared that when he was 10 years old, his mother passed away, and he moved in with his older sister Geraldine and her husband, who had 10 children of their own. Robinson attended Northern High School, where he was a strong student and a dedicated athlete. However, his main passion was music, and he formed a doo-wop group called the Five Chimes. Robinson and Aretha Franklin grew up just a few houses apart on Belmont Avenue.
Smokey Robinson at a Glance
- Category: Richest Celebrities › Singers
- Net Worth: $150 Million
- Birthdate: February 19, 1940 (85 years old)
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
- Gender: Male
- Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.82 m)
- Profession: Record producer, songwriter, singer, musician, actor, music executive, singer-songwriter
- Nationality: American
Relationships
Smokey Robinson’s first marriage was to Claudette Rogers, a fellow member of The Miracles. They had two children together before divorcing in 1986. Robinson later had a third child with another woman. In 2002, he married Frances Gladney.
Personal Life
Smokey Robinson married Claudette Rogers, a fellow member of The Miracles, in 1959. The couple had two children: a son, Berry Robinson (born 1968), named after Motown founder Berry Gordy, and a daughter, Tamla Robinson (born 1971), named after Gordy’s original “Tamla” label, which would later become Motown.
Robinson has openly admitted to having affairs while married to Claudette, including a year-long affair with Diana Ross. According to Robinson, Ross ended the relationship because she felt uncomfortable, as she was friends with Claudette, whom Robinson acknowledged he still loved. A representative for Ross declined to comment on Robinson’s account. Robinson has stated that he believes it is natural to love multiple people simultaneously.
Real Estate
In 2002, Robinson sold his home in Encino, Los Angeles, for $2.3 million. The 10,600-square-foot estate, built in 1912, featured luxurious gardens and an 800-square-foot private deck. The property was resold in 2017 for $8.3 million. Smokey sold another home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, for $7.99 million. The 9,075-square-foot property, originally listed for $10.5 million in 2005, includes a separate 2,000-square-foot guest house. The final price was significantly reduced after struggling to find a buyer.
What Is Smokey Robinson’s Net Worth 2025?
Smokey Robinson, an iconic American R&B and pop singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive, has a net worth of $150 million. Robinson played a pivotal role in shaping the Motown sound, which became hugely popular from the ’50s to the ’70s. He was a key member of The Miracles, a vocal group that saw tremendous success during the Motown era. After leaving the group, Robinson pursued a prosperous solo career and also served as Motown’s vice president. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
FAQs
How many children does Smokey Robinson have?
Smokey Robinson has three children: two with his first wife, Claudette Rogers—Berry and Tamla Robinson—and a third son, Trey, from a relationship outside of his marriage.
Who was Smokey Robinson married to?
Smokey Robinson was married to Claudette Rogers, a fellow member of The Miracles. They married in 1959 and divorced in 1986 after years of personal and marital challenges.
Did Smokey Robinson have an affair with Diana Ross?
Yes, Smokey Robinson has publicly stated that he had a nearly year-long affair with Diana Ross while still married to Claudette Rogers. He said Ross ended it due to her friendship with Claudette.
Why did Smokey Robinson and Claudette Rogers divorce?
The couple divorced in 1986 after Robinson admitted to fathering a child with another woman. Their marriage had faced prior strain, including a separation in 1974 and Robinson’s multiple extramarital affairs.
What inspired Smokey Robinson’s song “The Agony & The Ecstasy”?
The song “The Agony & The Ecstasy” was inspired by an affair Robinson had during a 1974 separation from his wife Claudette. It reflects the emotional complexity of loving more than one person.
What are the names of Smokey Robinson’s children?
His children’s names are Berry Robinson, Tamla Robinson, and Trey Robinson. Berry and Tamla were named in honor of Motown’s founder Berry Gordy and the label’s original name, Tamla.