Ernestine Campbell is the ex-wife of Richard Wayne Penniman, an American singer, composer, and musician.

Quick Facts

Life As A Couple

In October 1957, she met her ex-husband, Richard, during an evangelical conference in Washington. On July 12, 1959, the pair tied the knot in California. Their marriage did not survive long, as they divorced in 1963. Richard’s sexuality is claimed to be the cause of their divorce. He was detained during a homose**al raid, and they finally parted up. The couple did not have any children of their own. However, they adopted a newborn boy, Danny Jones Penniman, when he was a year old.

Ex-Husband’s Complicated Sexuality

Richard’s father evicted him from his home while he was still a teenager. The reason for this was his gender-nonconforming behavior, such as wearing his mother’s clothing and having feelings for the same gender. In an interview with Charles White, a radio DJ, he said he was omnisexual. In a subsequent interview with Penthouse in 1995, he explored his homosexuality in further detail. He said that he had been homosexual his whole life.

Her Thoughts on Richard’s Sexuality

She did not consider her ex-husband to be homosexual. She just assumed he was someone who enjoyed masturbating*. He used to masturbate* eight to nine times every day back then. Not only Campbell, but even Richard’s ex-girlfriend, Lee Angel, concurred that he enjoyed masturbation*. Angel was just 16 years old when Richard met her.

Richard is no longer alive.

He died on May 9, 2020, at the age of 87. His son broke the terrible news of his father’s death on his social media account. Alen, Richard’s brother, said that the cause of death was bone cancer. He’d been ailing for two months. He was surrounded by his brother, sister, and son at the moment of his death.

Ernestine Campbell’s Net Worth in 2023

Richard’s net worth Wayne Penniman, better known as Little Richard, amassed a net fortune of $40 million as of July 2023 via his work as a singer. Initially, he used to play in small pubs and talent events across Georgia. This pattern lasted until the late 1940s and early 1950s. Here’s Little Richard, his first solo album, was released in 1957. He has starred in films such as Don’t Knock the Rock, The Girl Can’t Help It, and Mister Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Richard’s Success

Several accolades have been bestowed upon him throughout his lifetime. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. At the Grammys in 1993, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Similarly, in 2003, 2006, and 2009, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

Trivia

• The house she shared with her ex-husband was sold for $1.9 million in June 2019.
• On March 23, 1975, she married Mcdonald Campbell.