American rock and roll pioneer Little Richard, known for electrifying hits like Tutti Frutti and Good Golly Miss Molly, was a musical titan whose personal life often drew as much attention as his performances. Central to his personal history was his marriage to Ernestine Campbell, his only wife. Their relationship, though relatively brief, became a subject of interest, particularly the circumstances surrounding their eventual divorce. This exploration delves into the story of Little Richard and Ernestine Campbell, based on reported accounts.
Little Richard and Ernestine Campbell shortly after their marriage
Meeting and Marriage
Ernestine Campbell, reportedly working as a secretary in Washington, D.C., first crossed paths with Richard Wayne Penniman, famously known as Little Richard, at an evangelical rally in 1957. Their connection led to marriage in July 1959. However, the union between the music icon and Ernestine Campbell would only last approximately four years, ending in divorce in 1963.
Reasons for Divorce
Accounts suggest that Ernestine Campbell initiated the separation. The primary reasons cited revolved around the immense pressures and demands of Little Richard’s burgeoning fame and career, which reportedly left little time for family life. Campbell also indicated that challenges related to Little Richard’s sexuality put a significant strain on their relationship. These claims circulated for years, adding complexity to the narrative of their marriage.
Ernestine Campbell, wife of Little Richard, during the period of their marriage
Little Richard’s Perspective
Decades later, Little Richard himself addressed the reasons for the marriage’s failure. In a rare 2017 interview with the Christian network 3ABN, he admitted that his marriage to Ernestine Campbell dissolved partly due to his struggles with his sexuality and his neglect as a husband. In the same interview, Richard denounced same-sex relationships, calling them “unnatural affections” and stating his belief that they were wrong. He emphasized living according to God’s will. His 1984 autobiography, The Life and Times of Little Richard, also touched upon his past experiences, where he wrote about telling his story “as a homosexual and a drug addict because I think it is right to tell people what God has done for me.”
Family Life: Adopting Danny Jones Penniman
Despite the complexities of their relationship, Little Richard and Ernestine Campbell adopted a son, Danny Jones Penniman. Danny was reportedly adopted when he was just one year old. Little Richard had developed a close friendship with Danny’s biological mother, Creola Jones, during a period in the 1980s when he stepped back from music to focus on his ministry. After Danny’s biological father passed away, his mother asked Richard to take him in, hoping for a better environment for him away from potential negative influences in their neighbourhood.
Little Richard with his adopted son Danny Jones Penniman
Danny went to live with Richard in Tennessee and later became part of his father’s entourage, serving as a bodyguard and working closely with him on the road until Little Richard’s death. Danny has shared some of the life lessons his father imparted, such as financial wisdom like, “You control the money; don’t let the money control you.” Danny Jones Penniman later pursued his own career in the entertainment industry as a singer and rapper.
Danny Jones Penniman, adopted son of Little Richard and Ernestine Campbell
Later Years and Passing
Ernestine Campbell largely retreated from the public eye following her divorce from Little Richard. She passed away on May 9, 2010. Her exact age at death was reported as 74 or 75, as her specific birth year (estimated as 1935 or 1936) was not publicly confirmed.
Little Richard continued his music career, albeit with periods dedicated to his faith. As a child, he was exposed to various denominations, and later studied theology and became an ordained minister in 1970. He officiated weddings for several celebrities. Throughout the 1970s and beyond, he navigated the tensions between his secular music career, his religious convictions, and his personal struggles, including those related to sexuality and substance abuse.
Little Richard discussing his faith and renouncing homosexuality later in life
In his final years, Little Richard’s faith became a primary focus. He publicly renounced homosexuality, famously stating, “If God can save an old homosexual like me, he can save anybody.” He battled health issues, eventually being diagnosed with bone cancer. His last public appearance was reportedly in 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received the Distinguished Artist award alongside Brenda Lee. Appearing frail and using a wheelchair, his condition was apparent. Little Richard passed away on May 9, 2020, at the age of 87, in Tullahoma, Tennessee, surrounded by family, including his son Danny. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at $40 million.
Little Richard appearing frail in a wheelchair during one of his last public appearances
Conclusion
The marriage between Little Richard Ernestine Campbell was a significant, though short-lived, chapter in the rock and roll legend’s life. While fame and career demands were cited, Little Richard later confirmed that his personal struggles, including his sexuality, contributed to the divorce. Ernestine Campbell, his only wife, largely stepped away from the spotlight after their separation. Their adopted son, Danny Jones Penniman, remained close to Little Richard throughout his life. The story reflects the complexities faced by individuals living under intense public scrutiny and navigating personal identity alongside immense fame and deeply held faith.
