Gladys Knight, 82, Steps Back From Touring to Focus on Family.
Gladys Knight is traveling to her next phase via train at midnight. The 82-year-old frontwoman of Gladys Knight & the Pips revealed that she is taking a break from performing in order to spend more quality time with her family.
"After much soul searching," in an August 27 Instagram post, she stated, "I've decided that I will be easing into fewer performances while focusing on transitioning into the next stage of my career and life moving forward."
Knight, whom have been happily married to William McDowell since 2001, went on to explain her decision to change her priorities.
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"I’ll be spending more time on projects with my husband," she stated, "and visiting with my grandbabies and am looking forward to this new era."
The seven-time Grammy winner continued by thanking her fans for their support. She is the mother of Kenya Newman, 63, who she shares with her ex-husband James Newton (the couple's son James "Jimmy" Newman III died in 1999 at the age of 36), and Shanga Hankerson, 50, who she shares with her ex-husband Barry Hankerson.
"I'd like to take a moment, in advance, to thank all my fans over this past three quarters of a century for making a little girl’s dream come true and supporting her every step of the way,” according to Parade, Knight also has ten great-grandchildren and seventeen grandkids. "I am immensely grateful to all of you and send my eternal love back to you."
The vocalist of "Midnight Train to Georgia" concluded by expressing her want to meet her fans more often in the future.
"I hope to see your smiling faces out and about and, on the road," she added. "God bless all of you and hope to see you soon."
Both fans and well-known friends showered Knight's post with comments expressing their appreciation for everything she has done for them over the years and endorsing her choice to enter her new stage of life.
"You have given us your ALL," Kelly Rowland penned. "Thank You a million times over! I love you Ms.Gladys."
Andy Cohen expressed his support as well, saying, "You have given us so much!"
Kim Wayans, a singer, also commented on the post.
"The Wayans Family loves you Gladys," she revealed. "You (and the Pips) are a huge part of the soundtrack of our lives. Thank you for all the amazing and soulful music you have given to the world. Whatever you decide to do Legend, we're with you."
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