Who is the queen of Motown? All about the life and relationships of Smokey Robinson
8 may 2025 в 00:37
Smokey Robinson is known as the King of Motown, but who is his queen? Smokey Joe became a celebrity after founding the group The Miracles, which is best known for hits like «The Tracks of My Tears», «Shop Around», «I Second That Emotion», «Baby Baby Don’t Cry», and «Tears of a Clown».
Leaving The Miracles in 1972, Smokey thrived as a solo artist and songwriter, penning hits for icons like Mary Wells and The Temptations. Over the decades, there were times when a woman stood by his side, and others when he pursued his legendary career alone. From his first marriage to Claudette Rogers to a well-known romance with Diana Ross, Smokey’s relationships were as notable as his musical career.
In 2023, Smokey joined fellow legends Stevie Wonder and Chris Stapleton for a special performance at the 65th annual Grammy Awards ceremony, where he walked the red carpet with his current wife, Frances Glandney — he in a bold turquoise tuxedo, and she stunning in a sparkling suit.
Here’s everything you need to know about Smokey’s current wife, his past relationships, and his love life over the years.
Claudette Rogers Robinson made a name for herself beyond being Smokey’s wife. She was a member of the musical group The Miracles alongside her husband. In fact, she even has her own title — the First Lady of Motown. As a singer and songwriter, she began her career in a group called The Matadorettes, while her brother Sonny Rogers was in a group called The Matadors. When he left the group to serve in the army, she took his place, and the group became The Miracles — that’s how she met Smokey.
Claudette and Smokey married in 1959 and had two children. Their first child, Berry Robinson, named after Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, was born in 1968. His younger sister Tamla Robinson was born a year later, in 1969.
They had many ups and downs in their marriage. In 2023, Smokey admitted to a romance with Diana Ross while still married to Claudette. «We worked together, and it just happened. But it was beautiful. She’s a beautiful lady, and I still love her», - he confessed in an interview with The Guardian, published on April 27, 2023. He added that the romance lasted for one year. «She's one of my close people», - continued the hitmaker of «Cruisin'» about Diana. «She was young and trying to make it in her career. I was trying to help her. In fact, I brought her to Motown. I wasn’t chasing her, and she wasn’t chasing me. It just happened».
He said Diana ended their romance because she knew it wasn’t right. «After we dated for a while, Diana told me she couldn’t do it because she knew Claudette, and she knew I still loved my wife», - recalled the music icon. «And I loved my wife very much».
It’s unclear in what year Smokey and Diana started their romance, but his ex-wife, Claudette, first caught him cheating in 1974. They separated that year, and the time apart inspired his song «The Agony & The Ecstasy». He cheated on her again, leading to another woman getting pregnant, and his son Trey was born in 1984. This was the final straw in their relationship, and he filed for divorce — they subsequently divorced in 1986.
Frances may not be a Motown legend, but she has definitely made her mark in the world. The 73-year-old successful interior designer prefers to stay out of the spotlight. She also launched a skincare line with Smokey in collaboration with Skinphonic. Their collections are called The Get Ready and My Girl, named after his songs for The Temptations, and were specially created for people of color.
Frances and Smokey dated for some time before deciding to get married in May 2002. They have been married for 23 years and still seem to hold on tightly as life partners and business partners. Both currently reside together in their home in Pittsburgh
Leaving The Miracles in 1972, Smokey thrived as a solo artist and songwriter, penning hits for icons like Mary Wells and The Temptations. Over the decades, there were times when a woman stood by his side, and others when he pursued his legendary career alone. From his first marriage to Claudette Rogers to a well-known romance with Diana Ross, Smokey’s relationships were as notable as his musical career.
In 2023, Smokey joined fellow legends Stevie Wonder and Chris Stapleton for a special performance at the 65th annual Grammy Awards ceremony, where he walked the red carpet with his current wife, Frances Glandney — he in a bold turquoise tuxedo, and she stunning in a sparkling suit.
Here’s everything you need to know about Smokey’s current wife, his past relationships, and his love life over the years.
Claudette Rogers Robinson made a name for herself beyond being Smokey’s wife. She was a member of the musical group The Miracles alongside her husband. In fact, she even has her own title — the First Lady of Motown. As a singer and songwriter, she began her career in a group called The Matadorettes, while her brother Sonny Rogers was in a group called The Matadors. When he left the group to serve in the army, she took his place, and the group became The Miracles — that’s how she met Smokey.
Claudette and Smokey married in 1959 and had two children. Their first child, Berry Robinson, named after Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, was born in 1968. His younger sister Tamla Robinson was born a year later, in 1969.
They had many ups and downs in their marriage. In 2023, Smokey admitted to a romance with Diana Ross while still married to Claudette. «We worked together, and it just happened. But it was beautiful. She’s a beautiful lady, and I still love her», - he confessed in an interview with The Guardian, published on April 27, 2023. He added that the romance lasted for one year. «She's one of my close people», - continued the hitmaker of «Cruisin'» about Diana. «She was young and trying to make it in her career. I was trying to help her. In fact, I brought her to Motown. I wasn’t chasing her, and she wasn’t chasing me. It just happened».
He said Diana ended their romance because she knew it wasn’t right. «After we dated for a while, Diana told me she couldn’t do it because she knew Claudette, and she knew I still loved my wife», - recalled the music icon. «And I loved my wife very much».
It’s unclear in what year Smokey and Diana started their romance, but his ex-wife, Claudette, first caught him cheating in 1974. They separated that year, and the time apart inspired his song «The Agony & The Ecstasy». He cheated on her again, leading to another woman getting pregnant, and his son Trey was born in 1984. This was the final straw in their relationship, and he filed for divorce — they subsequently divorced in 1986.
Frances may not be a Motown legend, but she has definitely made her mark in the world. The 73-year-old successful interior designer prefers to stay out of the spotlight. She also launched a skincare line with Smokey in collaboration with Skinphonic. Their collections are called The Get Ready and My Girl, named after his songs for The Temptations, and were specially created for people of color.
Frances and Smokey dated for some time before deciding to get married in May 2002. They have been married for 23 years and still seem to hold on tightly as life partners and business partners. Both currently reside together in their home in Pittsburgh
© Puhova Marina
