Time flies. It's wild to think that the voice behind "Midnight Train to Georgia" has been a staple in our lives for over seven decades. If you’re checking the calendar and doing the math today, January 18, 2026, Gladys Knight is 81 years old. She was born on May 28, 1944. And honestly? She looks like she’s discovered some sort of fountain of youth.
But there’s a question that always pops up when people see her on a red carpet or performing at a gala: what about her husband? People get curious about the age gap. It’s one of those things that fans whisper about because, let’s be real, the entertainment industry loves a good age-gap story. How old is Gladys Knight and her husband, William McDowell? William McDowell was born on July 12, 1970. That makes him 55 years old right now.
That is a 26-year difference. In the world of celebrity gossip, that’s usually enough to fuel a decade of tabloids. But for Gladys and William, it’s just been... life. They’ve been married since 2001. That’s a quarter-century of partnership. In Hollywood years, that’s practically an eternity.
Why the age gap doesn't matter to the "Empress of Soul"
Most people assume a massive age difference leads to drama. Or power struggles. With Gladys and William, it seems to be the exact opposite. They met when he was a corporate consultant, and they didn’t wait long to seal the deal—marrying just three months after they started dating.
It was a whirlwind. But a stable one.
You’ve got to remember that Gladys had been through the wringer before she met William. Three previous marriages. The first to James Newman when she was just 16. Then Barry Hankerson. Then motivational speaker Les Brown. She’s seen it all. By the time 2001 rolled around, she wasn't looking for a trophy or a trend. She was looking for a partner.
William wasn't just some guy on her arm. He stepped into the role of a stepfather to her children and eventually a grandfather to a literal "houseful" of kids. Gladys told Closer back in 2022 that the secret isn’t some complex strategy. Basically, they put their faith first.
"You have to always know that the Lord is going to make a way. We put him first. If you've got a problem and don't know how to do something, you have to look up. That's how we get through."
More than just a spouse: William McDowell’s role
William isn't just "the husband." He's a songwriter and an author in his own right. He actually co-wrote the song "This is Our Time," which Gladys performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics. They aren't just living together; they’re building things together.
Take their work in North Carolina, for example. They live in Fairview, but they’ve poured a ton of energy into Canton, NC. They started the RHS Community Foundation to turn an old high school into a community center. This isn't just celebrity fluff. They are on the ground, doing the work.
A breakdown of their life together
- Residence: They moved away from the neon lights of Las Vegas to the quiet of Fairview, North Carolina.
- The Family Dynamic: William has embraced being a grandfather and great-grandfather. Gladys often says the kids love him "the best."
- Creative Collaboration: From music videos for William’s song "Country Water" to managing Gladys’s global tours, they are a business unit.
Addressing the "Elder Abuse" headlines
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. In late 2025, some pretty heavy headlines started circulating. Her son, Shanga Hankerson, reportedly made accusations regarding William’s treatment of Gladys.
It’s messy. Family stuff usually is.
But Gladys has been vocal about standing by her man. When you’ve been in the public eye since you were seven years old, you learn how to weather a storm. She’s faced segregation, addiction, and industry shifts that would break most people. An 81-year-old woman with her track record usually knows exactly where she stands.
How Gladys keeps the engine running at 81
If you think she's slowing down because she’s in her 80s, you haven't been paying attention. Her 2026 tour schedule is already packed. We’re talking about "The Queens" tour with Patti LaBelle and Chaka Khan. That is a lot of traveling. A lot of late nights.
How does she do it?
She credits her "spiritual outlook." She doesn't drink or smoke. She stays active. And honestly, having a husband who is 26 years younger probably keeps her on her toes. There’s a specific energy you have to maintain when your partner is still in his mid-50s.
The takeaway for the rest of us
When people ask "how old is Gladys Knight and her husband," they are usually looking for a "gotcha" moment. They want to find the friction in the 26-year gap. But looking at their 25-year marriage, the takeaway is actually pretty simple:
- Shared Purpose Over Age: They don't just "hang out." They build community centers and write music.
- Faith as a Foundation: Whether you're religious or not, having a shared core value system seems to be what keeps them glued together when the tabloid rumors start flying.
- Independence is Key: William has his own career as an author and consultant. He isn't living in her shadow; he's walking beside her.
If you’re looking to catch the Empress of Soul live, she’s touring throughout 2026. Check the dates for the "Queens" tour or her solo shows in California and Texas. Seeing an 81-year-old legend hit those notes is a reminder that age really is just a number on a birth certificate.
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Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see Gladys in action this year, your best bet is to look for tickets for the "Queens: 4 Legends, 1 Stage" tour. It’s hitting major cities like Houston, Charlotte, and New Orleans through February and March 2026. Keep an eye on her official site for any late-breaking schedule changes.