Gladys Knight’s official biography identifies William McDowell as her husband. They married on April 12, 2001, in Santa Monica, according to a contemporary report by Deseret News.
Who is William McDowell?
McDowell is the husband of singer Gladys Knight. Knight’s official biography refers to him as her husband and credits the two with co-writing “This Is Our Time.”
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At the time of their wedding, Deseret News described McDowell as a corporate consultant. A December 2024 Parade profile later described him as a songwriter and author, and reported that he wrote a Christian book.
When did Gladys Knight and William McDowell marry?
They married on April 12, 2001, in Santa Monica. Deseret News reported that Knight’s son Shanga gave her away at a seaside ceremony attended by 80 relatives and friends. The report, published April 26, 2001, said the announcement came from Knight’s record label, MCA Records.
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The same report said Knight and McDowell had met about ten years earlier and began dating in January; it did not specify the year for that January.
Have they worked together on music?
Yes. Knight’s official biography says she and McDowell co-wrote “This Is Our Time,” which she performed during the televised opening ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Do Gladys Knight and William McDowell have children together?
Parade’s December 2024 profile reports that the couple do not have children together and that McDowell is stepfather to Knight’s three children. In an interview with Kam Williams hosted by AALBC, Knight spoke more broadly about her family, saying, “The support of my mom when she was here, my husband and children now, and even my fans have brought me through certain challenges.”
What has Knight said about her husband?
In the AALBC-hosted interview, Knight said, “I have the most beautiful, wonderful husband [William McDowell].” The comment offers her own description of him without establishing private details about their relationship.
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What is known about their current status?
Knight’s official biography continues to identify McDowell as her husband. That page provides the present-tense description, but the sources cited here do not include a recent direct statement from Knight confirming their status specifically as of October 2026.
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