The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has sold over 75 million records as a singer, songwriter, and pianist. The songstress has certainly made her impact on the music industry. Her music has reached millions, if not billions of people, and inspired countless other artists. Her contributions live beyond through her music, her activism, and the art she inspired. The film, Respect, details her life.
Franklin was also a prominent activist, supporting civil rights, women’s rights, and indigenous peoples’ movements. Franklin’s contributions to both American soul music and American society, in general, are immeasurable. However, her personal life was full of tragedy, specifically her relationships and marriages.
Aretha Franklin's Relationship With Ted White
Aretha Franklin’s first husband, Ted White, was also her manager. The couple married quickly, after less than a month of dating when Franklin was just 18 and White was 30. Friends and family, specifically including Franklin’s Father, C.L. Franklin, were opposed to the union based on misgivings about White’s character.
Franklin and White eventually divorced in 1969. Reports of White being physically abusive during their marriage. Instances of both public and private violence were cited by friends, family, and reporters. Franklin’s brother, Cecil Franklin, replaced White as her manager after their separation.
Aretha Franklin had two sons before her marriage to White and gave birth to a third child with White, Ted White Jr, who followed in his mother’s footsteps becoming a singer-songwriter. He also played the guitar for his mother. However, he spent more time with his father’s family.
Franklin met and married White at such a young age and his influence over her career was quite large. The ongoing physical abuse and career control are heartbreaking. Thankfully, Franklin was able to divorce White but the trauma certainly shows up in her music. Her tones and lyrics portray a deep sadness relating to her personal relationships and widespread, collective experiences of sexism and racism.
Aretha Franklin's Relationship With Glynn Turman
Years after divorcing White, Aretha Franklin married actor Glenn Turman in 1978. In addition to being an actor, Turman worked as a producer, writer, and director throughout his career. Turman and Franklin had both been previously married and entered their union with previous children. The couple are reported to have maintained a positive relationship.
However, they eventually separated and divorced in 1984. The main marital struggles are cited to be related to issues maintaining a long-distance relationship, which makes sense considering both stars had thriving careers that required extensive travel.
Glynn Turman and Aretha Franklin would hardly be the first Hollywood power couple who struggled to balance their careers and relationships. Busy work schedules with music tours and film sets across the world likely make it very difficult to prioritize one’s long-term partner. Sources say Pete Davidson and Phoebe Dynever broke up for similar reasons.
The pair even managed to remain friends after their divorce. Turman visited Franklin in her last hours and they both publicly supported each other throughout the rest of her life and career. Ultimately, this split was sad and certainly very difficult for the couple, but they presented an example of amicable exes for future Hollywood break-ups. Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt never married, but they certainly remained amicable and supportive of each other.
While Franklin and Turman’s divorce may have been tragic, and an extremely difficult time for the pair and their family. However, they each seem to have been important fixtures in each other's lives. And ultimately, still sources of support, love, and positivity well after their split, which is heartwarming.
Aretha Franklin's Relationship With Her 'Almost Husband', William Wilkerson
After her divorce from Turman, Aretha Franklin remained unmarried. Her long-term friendship with William “Willie” Wilkerson garnered some public attention and speculation about their relationship. Much of which was solidified when the pair announced their engagement in 2012 after years of companionship.
The pair never married, but remained close until Franklin’s death, from pancreatic cancer. Franklin cites her love of Willie and the longevity of their relationship relating to his ability to “make the distinction between the lady and the artist.”
They may never have formally married, but the duo enjoyed each other’s time and their relationship long outlasted Franklin’s other marriages. Although she did maintain a friendship with Turman.
Ultimately the tragedy of this relationship lies in the loss experienced by Wilkerson, his life partner, best friend, and soulmate, Franklin, being taken away from him. Aretha Franklin’s death was also tragic in and of itself but hopefully eased by the presence of her long-term friend. Franklin had, sadly, already experienced immense amounts of death throughout her life having lost many family members at a young age.
Aretha Franklin’s relationships with her multiple husbands largely were tragic. The abuse from Ted White, the heartbreak with Glynn Turman, and the cut-off with Willie Wilkerson all highlighted the hardships Aretha Franklin endured in her relationships. These hardships and the loss of so many family members can be heard in her albums.