Life is a trip when your dad is a living legend. Honestly, imagine growing up with Smokey Robinson—the man Bob Dylan called "America’s greatest living poet"—as your father. Most people would be shouting it from the rooftops or trying to land a record deal by age ten. But for Berry William Borope Robinson, the story has always been a lot quieter.
He’s the firstborn son of Smokey and Claudette Rogers Robinson. You’ve probably heard the name "Berry" and immediately thought of Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown. You’d be right. Smokey named his son after his best friend and boss, while "William" comes from Smokey’s own legal name. But that third name? "Borope"? That’s where the Motown lore gets really deep. It’s actually an acronym, a tribute to Smokey’s bandmates in The Miracles: Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, and Pete Moore.
He was born in 1968, but his arrival wasn't exactly a standard Hollywood birth story.
The miracle of Berry William Borope Robinson
Before Berry came along, his parents went through absolute hell trying to start a family. Claudette Robinson, often called the "First Lady of Motown," suffered seven miscarriages. It’s the kind of heartbreak that breaks most couples. Because of the physical toll and the constant touring, she eventually had to stop performing with The Miracles just to protect her health.
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When Berry William Borope Robinson was finally born, it was through a surrogate—a move that was pretty rare and hushed-up back in the late 60s. He was a literal miracle for the Robinson family.
Growing up in the 70s and 80s meant Berry had a front-row seat to the peak of the Motown era. While other kids were playing with blocks, he was likely hanging out with "Auntie" Diana Ross or watching Stevie Wonder work in the studio. You’d think that kind of environment would produce a superstar. Instead, it produced someone who deeply values privacy.
Why he stays out of the spotlight
You won't find Berry on a reality show. He isn't out here trying to launch a career as an "influencer" or a "nepo baby" singer.
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- He prefers a low profile. Aside from a few appearances on his sister Tamla’s Instagram, Berry is basically a ghost in the media.
- Family first. He’s a father himself now, raising twins—a boy and a girl.
- The "Shadow" effect. Sometimes, when your father is as big as Smokey, the best way to find your own identity is to step entirely out of the light.
His sister, Tamla, is a bit more active in managing the family legacy and showing up at events. Berry? He’s the guy who shows up to the family dinners but stays away from the red carpets. There was a sweet moment back in 2013 where Smokey was spotted at a soccer game for Berry’s kids. It’s just normal grandpa stuff, which is kind of refreshing when you realize these are the people who basically invented modern R&B.
Navigating a complicated family tree
It wasn't all gold records and sunshine, though. The Robinson family had its share of drama. Smokey has been very open in his autobiography, Inside My Life, about his struggles with drug addiction and his infidelities.
In 1984, Berry’s world got a bit more complicated when his father had a son named Trey with another woman. That event ultimately ended Smokey and Claudette’s 27-year marriage. It’s the kind of stuff that ends up in the tabloids for months. For Berry, who was a teenager at the time, it must have been a lot to process.
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Yet, by all accounts, the siblings are close. Tamla often posts "National Siblings Day" tributes that include both Berry and Trey. It seems like they’ve managed to build a functional, loving family despite the messy history of the Motown "royalty" era.
What is he doing now?
People always ask about his net worth. Look, when your dad is worth over $150 million, you’re probably doing okay. But there’s no official record of Berry William Borope Robinson’s personal career or finances. Some sources suggest he’s involved in real estate or private business, but he hasn't confirmed anything. He’s living the dream: the wealth of a celebrity without the annoyance of being recognized at the grocery store.
Honestly, we could all learn a thing or two from him. In an age where everyone is desperate for fifteen minutes of fame, there’s something incredibly dignified about a guy who just wants to be a dad and a son.
If you're looking to understand the real legacy of the Robinson family, don't just look at the hits on the radio. Look at the kids who grew up in that whirlwind and came out the other side as grounded, private individuals. Berry William Borope Robinson represents a side of the Motown story that we rarely see—the side that isn't for sale.
To truly appreciate the history Berry was born into, you should check out Claudette Robinson’s memoir or revisit Smokey’s 1989 autobiography. They give a lot of context to the struggle it took just to bring Berry into the world. If you’re ever in Detroit, a visit to the Motown Museum (Hitsville U.S.A.) is a must—it's the only way to feel the scale of the legacy he carries in his name.