Late American singer-songwriter Sheila Ray Charles is the daughter of legendary gospel singer Ray Charles. She is well recognized for her evergreen music.
Childhood, Family & Education
Sheila was born in September 1963 in Los Angeles, California, USA to her father Ray Charles and mother Sandra Jean Betts. Her parents were never married which resulted in her difficult childhood. In addition, she was not cared for by her father and was allegedly abused by her other family members during her early life.
Sheila’s late father, Ray Charles aka ‘The Genius’ is also a renowned musician as well as gospel singer, composer, and songwriter of the 20th century. Despite his blindness, he played, composed, and sang, eventually becoming a notable musician with enormous talent and dedication.
Ray has been married twice. His first wife’s name is Eileen Williams whom he married in 1951 and got divorced a year later. His second wife is Della Beatrice Robinson whom he married in 1955 and later divorced in 1977.
Ray has children from his second marriage and many others including Sheila Ray Charles from his extramarital affairs. Thus, Sheila has a total of 11 half-siblings namely Alexandra Bertrand, David Robinson, Evelyn Robinson, Robert Robinson, Reatha Butler, Renee Robinson, Ray Charles Robinson, Robyn Moffett, Ryan Corey Robinson, and Charles Wayne Hendricks.
Sheila had a troubled childhood and teenage years which she has explained in her autobiography “Behind The Shades”. She was addicted to cocaine and crack and was prisoned thrice. Sheila was enlightened towards Jesus during her time in the federal prison. She had mentioned in a radio show that Jesus told her in her dreams to commit her life to music. She is a brave survivor of addiction, a car accident, sexual abuse, and imprisonment.
Career
Sheila was blessed with her father’s musical talent and eventually pursued a music career after her release from prison. She made her debut with ‘Introducing Sheila Raye Charles’ in 2005. Her album also had a musical tribute to her late father titled ‘My Daddy’.
She had a successful music career and toured worldwide spreading her musical messages of redemption, love, and faith in Jesus. She dedicated her music to her beloved late father and Lord.
Personal life & Husband
Sheila was married to her husband Michael Steptoe. The detailed information regarding her children is not known on social media platforms. Sheila had shifted to Sarasota, Fluoride prior to her demise. Moreover, it has been reported that she had a number of children, grandchildren, siblings, nephews, and nieces.
Death
She was battling breast cancer for quite some time. Sheila eventually died of the disease on 15th June 2017 at the age of 53.
Net Worth
The estimated net worth of the late singer was reportedly around $1-$10 million USD during the time of her death.
