Controversies and criticisms

Despite his support of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s and his support for the American Civil Rights Movement, Charles courted controversy when he toured South Africa in 1981,[8] during an international boycott of the country because of its apartheid policy.

[edit] Personal life

Charles was married twice and fathered twelve children by seven different women.[17][18] He was married for the first time to Eileen Williams on July 31, 1951. This marriage produced no children and ended in divorce in 1952. Three children are from his second marriage to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson whom he married on April 5, 1955. They divorced in 1977. His long term girlfriend and partner at the time of his death was Norma Pinella.[19]

His children were:

* Charles Wayne Hendricks (son of Marge Hendricks - one of the Raelettes)
* Evelyn Robinson (daughter of Louise Mitchell)
* Raenee Robinson (daughter of Mae Mosely Lyles)
* Sheila Robinson (daughter of Sandra Jean Betts)
* Vincent Kotchounian (son of Arlette Kotchounian - worked with him as photographer on Would You Believe album)
* David Robinson (son of Della Robinson)
* Ray Charles Robinson, Jr. (son of Della Robinson)
* Reverend Robert Robinson (son of Della Robinson. The only child allowed to attend his funeral)
* Reatha Butler
* Alexandria Bertrand (daughter of Chantelle Bertrand)
* Robyn Moffett
* Ryan Corey Robinson den Bok (son of Mary Anne den Bok)