Who was Ray Charles' first wife?
Ray Charles' first wife was Eileen Williams.
Ray Charles, an iconic figure in music history, had a significant personal life that included several marriages and relationships. His first marriage, though brief, marked an early chapter in his romantic life.
Eileen Williams: Ray Charles' First Wife
Ray Charles married Eileen Williams in 1951. This union was short-lived, ending in 1952. During their marriage, Ray Charles and Eileen Williams did not have any children.
Overview of Ray Charles' Key Marriages
To provide further context to his marital history, here is a summary of Ray Charles' first two known marriages:
Wife | Marriage Year | Divorce Year | Children |
---|---|---|---|
Eileen Williams | 1951 | 1952 | None |
Della Robinson | 1955 | 1977 | Three sons: Ray Jr. (born 1955), David (born 1958), and Robert (born 1960) |
- Eileen Williams: Her marriage to Ray Charles was his first, lasting approximately one year.
- Della Robinson: Following his divorce from Eileen Williams, Ray Charles later married Della Robinson in 1955. This marriage was much longer, spanning over two decades until their divorce in 1977. Della Robinson was the mother of three of his sons.
Understanding Ray Charles' first marriage to Eileen Williams provides a complete picture of his personal journey, setting the stage for his subsequent, more publicly known relationships.