Smokey Robinson Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth & Biography

Smokey Robinson is an American singer, songwriter and record producer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters in popular music, a performer whose career has spanned more than six decades and who helped define the Motown sound. From his silky falsetto with The Miracles on The Tracks of My Tears and You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me to his solo hits Cruisin’ and Being with You, and his songwriting for The Temptations on My Girl, Robinson has written and performed some of the most enduring songs in music history.

Full Name	William Robinson Jr.
Date of Birth	February 19, 1940
Age	86 years old (as of November 2026)
Birthplace	Detroit, Michigan, USA
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Profession	Singer, songwriter, record producer
Known For	The Miracles, Cruisin’, My Girl
Wife	Frances Gladney (married 2002)
Children	Three, Berry, Tamla and Trey
Net Worth	Approx. $150 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025)

Who Is Smokey Robinson?

Smokey Robinson, born William Robinson Jr., is a singer who became one of the biggest stars in popular music. He first found fame as the frontman of The Miracles, a group he formed in 1955 with Warren Moore, Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers and Ronnie White, and he went on to have a string of hits, including Shop Around in 1960, the first million-selling single for Motown Records, and You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me in 1962.

Robinson also had a successful career as a songwriter, writing hits including My Girl for The Temptations in 1964, My Guy for Mary Wells and The Way You Do the Things You Do for The Temptations. He also had solo hits, including Cruisin’ in 1979 and Being with You in 1981, which reached number two in the US.

Early Life & Background

William Robinson Jr. was born on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of a labourer father, and he grew up in the North End neighbourhood of Detroit, where he attended Northern High School. He began singing as a teenager, performing in a doo-wop group called The Five Chimes, and he was discovered by Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, who became his mentor.

After being discovered by Gordy, Robinson formed The Miracles and signed with Motown, where he became one of the label’s most important artists and songwriters. He also served as Motown’s vice president from 1961 to 1988, helping to shape the label’s sound and its roster of artists.

He was married to Claudette Rogers Robinson, a member of The Miracles, from 1959 to 1986, and they have two children, Berry and Tamla. He has a son, Trey, born in 1984. In 2002, he married Frances Gladney. He lives in Los Angeles.

Career

Robinson’s breakthrough came with The Miracles in 1960, when Shop Around became Motown’s first million-selling single. The song was a huge success, and Robinson went on to record You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me, The Tracks of My Tears and I Second That Emotion, and he became known for his silky falsetto voice and his romantic songwriting.

After The Miracles, Robinson had a successful solo career, with hits including Cruisin’ and Being with You, and he wrote songs for other Motown artists, including My Girl for The Temptations. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Miracles in 1987, and he received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006.

Like fellow Motown legend Stevie Wonder, Robinson is known for a career that spans decades and for the warmth and soul he brings to every performance. He continues to record and perform, and he remains one of the most beloved singers in popular music.

Facts About Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson was the frontman of The Miracles, who had hits including Shop Around and The Tracks of My Tears.
He wrote My Girl for The Temptations, one of the most famous songs in music history.
He was born William Robinson Jr. in Detroit, Michigan, in 1940.
He served as Motown’s vice president from 1961 to 1988.
He has been married to Frances Gladney since 2002, and he has three children, Berry, Tamla and Trey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Smokey Robinson?

Smokey Robinson was born on February 19, 1940, which makes him 86 years old as of November 2026.

How tall is Smokey Robinson?

Smokey Robinson is 5 feet 11 inches tall (1.80 metres).

Who is Smokey Robinson married to?

Smokey Robinson has been married to Frances Gladney since 2002. He has three children, Berry, Tamla and Trey.

What is Smokey Robinson’s net worth?

Smokey Robinson’s net worth is estimated at approximately $150 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.

What is Smokey Robinson best known for?

Smokey Robinson is best known as the frontman of The Miracles and for writing My Girl for The Temptations.