Smokey Robinson is the guy who basically invented the "smooth" in Motown. That voice—that high, silver-spun tenor—has been the soundtrack to millions of first dances and breakups. But while his music felt like a warm hug, his personal life was often more of a quiet storm. People always want to know about the woman behind the man, but the truth is, there isn't just one story. There are two very different marriages, a few scandals that would make a soap opera writer blush, and a whole lot of "coconut shrimp."
Most people think of the legendary Claudette Rogers when they talk about Smokey Robinson and wife. They were the "it" couple of the 1960s. Partners in life, partners in music. But if you’ve seen him on a red carpet lately, you’ve probably noticed the chic woman on his arm who isn't Claudette. That’s Frances Glandney. They’ve been married since 2002, and honestly, their relationship is way more low-key than the drama-filled years that came before.
The First Lady: Claudette Rogers and the Miracles
Smokey didn't just marry a fan; he married his bandmate. Claudette Rogers was the "First Lady of Motown," a title Berry Gordy himself gave her. They tied the knot in 1959, just as the world was starting to wake up to the Motown sound. It looked perfect from the outside. They were young, talented, and building an empire.
But it wasn't all gold records.
The couple struggled deeply with starting a family. Claudette endured seven miscarriages. Can you even imagine that? The emotional toll was so heavy she actually stepped away from touring with The Miracles in the mid-60s just to try and find some peace. Eventually, they welcomed two children, Berry (named after Gordy) and Tamla (named after the record label), through surrogacy and a lot of medical help. But while the nursery was finally full, the marriage was starting to fray at the edges.
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The Affair That Changed Everything
Look, Smokey is the first to admit he wasn't a saint. He’s been surprisingly open about it in recent years, even talking about his year-long affair with Diana Ross. He says it was "beautiful," which is a pretty bold way to describe cheating on your wife with her friend. Diana eventually ended it because she couldn't handle the guilt of looking Claudette in the eye.
The real breaking point, though, wasn't a secret romance with a superstar.
It was a baby.
In 1984, Smokey had a son named Trey with a woman he knew as "Kandi." This wasn't just another rumor; it was a permanent, breathing reality. When he told Claudette, that was it. The marriage had already survived a separation in the 70s—which actually inspired the song "The Agony and the Ecstasy"—but a child outside the marriage was the final straw. They divorced in 1986.
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Who is Frances Glandney?
After the divorce, Smokey went through some dark times. We’re talking a serious battle with drug addiction in the late 80s that he says nearly killed him. By the time he met Frances Glandney, he was a different man. He was sober, older, and maybe a bit wiser.
Frances is a fashion designer, and she stays out of the spotlight way more than Claudette ever did.
Their "meet-cute" is actually pretty funny. According to Smokey, it all started with a craving for coconut shrimp. They were on the phone, joking around, and he invited her out for some. He often tells people, "I married her because of coconut shrimp." They got married in a secret ceremony in May 2002. Since then, they’ve been pretty much inseparable. They even own a winery together in Pittsburgh.
The Legal Battles You Didn't See on TV
Even after decades, the past has a way of popping up. In 2014, Smokey actually sued his ex-wife, Claudette. Why? Because she wanted half the royalties from his "recaptured" song copyrights. Under California law, she felt she was entitled to the hits he wrote while they were married. Smokey argued that since he was the sole creator and they’d already settled their divorce years ago, she didn't have a claim.
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It was a messy, technical legal fight that proved even the smoothest soul singer has some sharp edges when it comes to his business.
More recently, the 2025-2026 period has seen Smokey and Frances facing some serious legal heat. Former employees filed lawsuits alleging some pretty heavy stuff, including unpaid wages and even more serious accusations of misconduct. Smokey didn't take it lying down, filing a $500 million counter-complaint for slander. It’s a stark reminder that even at 85, his life is anything but quiet.
What This Tells Us About the Legend
When you look at Smokey Robinson and wife—whether it's the history with Claudette or the present with Frances—you see a man who lived through the highest highs and lowest lows. He’s a guy who loves hard, makes massive mistakes, and somehow keeps that "King of Motown" crown straight.
If you're following his story, here's the real takeaway:
- Respect the Privacy of the Present: Frances Glandney isn't trying to be a public figure; she's a business partner and a spouse.
- Complexity is Real: You can be a musical genius and a deeply flawed husband at the same time.
- Legacies are Complicated: The songs we love are often born from the very drama that tears families apart.
If you’re a fan, the best thing you can do is listen to the music with a bit more nuance. When you hear "The Tracks of My Tears" or "The Agony and the Ecstasy," you aren't just hearing a melody. You're hearing the real-life fallout of a man trying to navigate love, fame, and his own ego. It’s messy, it’s human, and it’s why we’re still talking about him sixty years later.
To understand the full scope of Smokey's journey, it's worth digging into his memoir, Smokey: Inside My Life. It's where he really lays out the grit behind the glamour of the Motown years.