Smokey Robinson's Personal Life Explored Amid His 'Affair with Diana Ross' Statement

Smokey Robinson has been married twice: The singer recalls his affair with Diana Ross!  

The Celeb in question was William Robinson Jr. before he took up his famous moniker, Smokey Robinson, a pet name he was given as a kid. Born on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, his penchant for music started when he was a child. He is now a famed songwriter and former record executive director. 

Smokey's first musical venture was the band Five Chimes, which he formed with his childhood friends. What started as a frivolous, unadorned endeavor became something with potential when the line-up got renamed to Matadors and eventually, The Miracles. Robinson and his group members have experienced commendable success over the decades.  

The Truth About Smokey Robinson's First Marriage!  

Robinson found fame and love in the same place. Throughout the 60s, The Michigan-born crooner reached illustrious heights with The Miracles, where he also met and fell in love with Claudette Rogers, one of the original members of the vocal group. 

Smokey and Claudette turned romantic a year before their group hit their first million-selling single, Shop Around. The pair tied the knot in 1959 and faced severe challenges in the following years. While pushing hard to take their group to its pinnacle of fame, Robinson's and Roger's personal life took a hit.  

The Robinson couple couldn't conceive a child for many years, and the singer-songwriter attributed the problem to The Miracles' constant touring. Smokey's colleague-turned-wife reportedly suffered seven miscarriages before they could welcome their firstborn, Berry, who was born via a surrogate.   

The couple welcomed one more kid, a daughter named Tamla, in 1971, whose birth led Claudette to retire from her successful career, so she could fully tend to their kids. Smokey followed suit and left the group, citing he wanted to be more involved in raising their kids.   

Things were ostensibly going smoothly for the Michigan-born singer. Moreover, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame amid his successful solo career. But the Grammy winner's personal life went downhill as he fell on the dark side of fame.  

The Tears of Clown hitmaker fell victim to drug habits and soon got embroiled in an illicit affair. The famed singer's marriage with Rogers fell apart after he fathered a child with a long-time mistress. The pair's divorce was finalized in 1986 after 27 years of marriage.  

Inside Smokey Robinson's Second Marriage!  

Smokey, 83, is married to his second wife, Frances Gladney, an interior designer and entrepreneur. The Motown legend and Gladney dated for a while before tying the knot in May 2002. Smokey and Gladney's meet-cute and the rest of their story remain tightly sealed.   

Smokey was briefly engaged to his mistress, but he decided to settle down with Gladney. The pair haven't welcomed any kids in their two-decade-long marriage and reportedly live a peaceful and chaos-free life in Pittsburgh.  

The Grammy-winning singer and his wife are business partners as the spouses launched their skincare line, The Get Ready and My Girl, named after Robinson's big hits. Created in collaboration with Skinphonic, the line specifically caters to people of color.  

Smokey Robinson Reveals Affair with Diana Ross!  

Smokey's marriage with Rogers and its desolvation was a long time ago. Perhaps, that is why the singer is airing all his dirty laundry associated with his first marriage. The music icon recently recalled his affair with singer Diana Ross while they worked together.    

Robinson says he loved and still loves Diana Ross! 

Calling Ross, who was also his childhood friend, a beautiful lady, Robinson said their liaison just happened without any immediate intention. 

"I wasn't going after her and she wasn't going after me. It just happened," said the Grammy winner before expressing his persisting love for Diana.  

In his explosive interview with The Guardian, Robinson explains how his affair with Ross taught him that love was far more complex than most comprehended. Diana allegedly backed out mid-way after realizing she couldn't do it anymore.  

Get to Know Smokey Robinson's Children!  

The Hall of Fame inductee is a doting father of three, but Robinson doesn't share the same bond with each one of his kids. The singer's oldest, Berry, was born in 1968. Named after Motown label founder Berry Gordy, he was a miracle child to Smokey and his then-wife.   

The Miracle alum and Rogers welcomed their second, and only daughter, Tamla, in 1971. Tamla seemingly shares the closest bond with her legendary father, who she refers to as her "best friend." Tamla actively posts about her family on her social media handles.  

In her Instagram bio, the musical scion calls herself a "born star" and "the daughter of two living legends." Smokey's youngest, Trey Robinson, was from an extra-marital affair. Because of Trey's illegitimate status, he was kept out of the spotlight for a long time. But the Robinson family has seemingly connected with the youngest as Trey often appears in Smokey's family pictures on the media.  

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