Berry William Borope Robinson is the eldest son of legendary Motown singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson and his ex-wife, Claudette Rogers Robinson.
This article delves into the life of Berry William Robinson, exploring his background, upbringing, and any notable endeavors that have marked his journey.
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Quick Bio
| Full Name | Berry William Borope Robinson |
| Famous As | Son of Smokey Robinson |
| Age | 56 As of 2024 |
| Gender | Male |
| Birth Year | 1968 |
| Parents | Smokey Robinson and Claudette Rogers Robinson |
| Siblings | Trey Robinson, Tamla Claudette Robinson |
| Grandparents | Flossie Robinson, William Robinson |
| Place of Birth | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
Early Life and Background
Berry William Borope Robinson was born in 1968 to legendary Motown singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson and his ex-wife, Claudette Rogers Robinson.
Robinson revealed that his former spouse went through the heartbreaking experience of seven miscarriages before they finally became parents to their son through the assistance of a surrogate.
He was named after Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records and a close friend of Smokey Robinson.
Berry’s early life was primarily spent in Los Angeles, where he was immersed in a world of music due to his father’s illustrious career.
His Famous Father, Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson, born William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, is an iconic American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive.
He is best known as the founder and frontman of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also the chief songwriter and producer.
Robinson’s Career in Music
Robinson’s career in music began in Detroit, where he was born and raised. His clear, cloud-grazing tenor voice has been a constant presence on airwaves and TV screens worldwide since the 1960s.
During that decade, Robinson and other soul and R&B greats like the Supremes and Stevie Wonder made Motown Records a household name. He became Motown’s vice president in 1964.
Robinson’s songwriting prowess is well-documented; he is credited with 4,000 songs and 37 Top 40 hits, including “Tears of a Clown,” “Tracks of My Tears,” and “Love Machine.”
He also wrote and produced hits for other artists, such as The Temptations (“My Girl”) and Mary Wells (“My Guy”).
His Father, Personal Life And Affairs
In terms of personal life, Robinson was married to Claudette Rogers, a fellow member of the Miracles, in 1959.
The couple had two children: Berry William Borope Robinson, born in 1968, and Tamla Claudette Robinson, born in 1971.
Robinson also has a son named Trey, who was born in 1984 from an affair with another woman.
After admitting to this affair, Robinson filed for divorce from Claudette, which was granted in 1986. He later married Frances Gladney in May 2002.
Robinson’s contributions to music have been widely recognized. He was awarded an individual star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983 and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
He has also received numerous awards, including a GRAMMY Legend Award in 1990, a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and a BET Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Despite his fame and success, Robinson has faced personal challenges, including a battle with drug addiction in the mid-1980s, which he openly discussed in his 1989 autobiography, “Smokey: Inside My Life.”
He credits his recovery from substance abuse to his religious faith.
His Mother, Claudette Rogers Robinson
Berry William Borope Robinson’s mother is Claudette Rogers Robinson, a former member of the Motown vocal group “The Miracles” and the “First Lady of Motown.”
She married Smokey Robinson, the founder and frontman of the Miracles, in 1959. The couple had two children: Berry William Borope Robinson, born in 1968, and Tamla Claudette Robinson, born in 1971.
Berry William’s Siblings
Berry William Borope Robinson has two siblings, Tamla Robinson and Trey Robinson.
Tamla Robinson
Robinson and Rogers joyfully welcomed their first daughter, Tamla Claudette Robinson, into the world in 1971.
Following her parents’ footsteps in the entertainment industry, Tamla became an executive producer of “The First Lady of Motown: The Claudette Robinson Story” and took charge of her mother’s archives.
She also established the clothing shop Born Star, inspired by the creative environment of her upbringing.
Maintaining a strong connection with her entire family, Tamla shares a particularly close bond with her father.
In 2017, Robinson initiated the “Father-Daughter Day” holiday to celebrate the unique relationship between a father and his daughter.
Robinson emphasized the importance of this relationship in shaping a young woman’s perspective and stressed the role fathers play in setting a healthy example.
Trey Robinson
In 1989, the Grammy-winning artist shared the intimate details of his life in the autobiography “Smokey: Inside My Life.”
Within its pages, he revealed that he became a father to a third child, Trey Robinson, in 1984 outside of wedlock.
This revelation played a significant role in the end of his 27-year marriage to Claudette in 1986.
Despite the challenges in his personal life, Smokey Robinson, in an April 1989 interview with People, expressed that he made regular trips to see all three of his children.
Even though his marriage to Claudette did not endure, he expressed gratitude that she maintained a cordial relationship with Trey’s biological mother, referred to as “Kandi” in the book.
Robinson praised Claudette as a rare and beautiful person for her gracefully navigating such a complex situation.
Much like his half-brother Berry, Trey has deliberately chosen to keep his life away from the public eye and does not appear to have a public social media presence.
Despite the limited information available about him, it’s apparent that he maintains a positive relationship with his half-siblings.
In an Instagram tribute for National Siblings Day, Tamla extended her wishes to her brothers Berry and Trey, expressing her love with the hashtag #unconditionallove.
Life Away from the Spotlight
While Smokey Robinson’s name shines brightly in music, Berry William Robinson has largely avoided the spotlight.
Limited information about his personal life and career is available, as he has chosen to remain out of the limelight.
Berry William’s Personal Life
As mentioned earlier, Berry William prefers to keep his life private. Therefore, not much is known about his relationships.
No details about his wife, girlfriend, or relationship status are disclosed, making it challenging to determine if he is married or single.
Berry has not provided any information about his love life, leaving his current relationship status unknown. Whether he is in a relationship and keeping it private or if he is single remains uncertain.
Past relationships or marriages are also undisclosed, contributing to the mystery surrounding Berry William Robinson’s personal life.
