James Newman III was the eldest son of American singer Gladys Knight. He was born on August 13, 1962, and died in 1999 at the age of 36.
James worked behind the scenes in the music business and reportedly managed his mother during part of her career. He was also a husband and father of five children. His faith became an important part of his life, and he reportedly baptized his mother when she joined his church in 1997.
James Newman III’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | James Newman III |
| Also known as | Jimmy Newman |
| Born | August 13, 1962 |
| Died | 1999 |
| Age at death | 36 |
| Place of death | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Cause of death | Heart failure |
| Nationality | American |
| Mother | Gladys Knight |
| Father | James Newman |
| Sister | Kenya Maria Newman |
| Half-brother | Shanga Ali Hankerson |
| Profession | Music manager |
| Known for | Gladys Knight’s eldest son and working with her career |
| Wife | Reported as Micheline or Michelene Newman |
| Children | Five |
| Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
James Newman III’s Early Life
James Newman III was born on August 13, 1962. He was the first surviving child of Gladys Knight and her first husband, James Newman.
Gladys had experienced a miscarriage before James was born.
James was named after his father. His mother later remembered him as a baby with thick hair and discussed his birth in her autobiography.
He grew up around the music industry as Gladys Knight’s career developed. However, James did not become known as a singer or stage performer.
His Parents
James’s mother, Gladys Knight, is an American singer widely known as the Empress of Soul.
His father was James Newman, also known as Jimmy Newman. He has been described as a musician from Atlanta.
Gladys married Newman when she was 16. Their marriage later faced serious problems. According to Gladys’s account, her husband struggled with drug addiction and eventually left her caring for their two young children, James and Kenya.
James Newman III’s Siblings
James had a younger sister named Kenya Maria Newman, who was born in 1963.
Kenya later worked in marketing before moving into baking. She reportedly started a cake business in Las Vegas in 1997.
James also had a younger maternal half-brother, Shanga Ali Hankerson, born in 1976. Shanga later became involved in business and the restaurant industry.
His Education
Reliable details about James’s education are limited.
Some secondary sources report that he attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and later studied at the University of San Diego, graduating in 1984.
These education details are not as well documented as the basic facts about his family and career, so they should be treated as reported information rather than firmly confirmed facts.
James Newman III’s Career
James chose to work behind the scenes in music instead of following his mother onto the stage.
He reportedly became one of Gladys Knight’s managers and helped handle parts of her professional career.
Sources also connect James with a management business called Newman Management Inc. However, detailed public records about his company and the exact years he managed his mother are limited.
His work allowed him to be involved in his mother’s music career without becoming a public performer himself.
His Work With Gladys Knight
James had both a personal and professional relationship with his mother.
He reportedly helped manage her career and supported several of her music projects.
One important project was connected with Many Roads, a record label launched in 1999 to support gospel music and artists.
James was also involved with Gladys Knight’s gospel album Many Different Roads.
Media materials connected with the project reportedly credited James with influencing some of the music his mother recorded, including Jesus Love Is Like a River.
Some secondary sources also claim James became Vice President of West Coast Operations for Blackground and Virgin Records in 1999. This career detail has not been as strongly documented as his work with his mother.
Who Is Gladys Knight?
Gladys Knight is an American singer known for her long career in soul, R&B, gospel, and pop music.
She became famous as the lead singer of Gladys Knight & the Pips. The group recorded major songs such as Midnight Train to Georgia, Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye), and If I Were Your Woman.
Knight has won multiple Grammy Awards and became known as the Empress of Soul.
James was her eldest son and later became involved in both her professional and personal life.
James and His Mother’s Close Relationship
James reportedly lived near his mother in Las Vegas.
Gladys has spoken publicly about struggling with gambling during part of her life. Reports say James and his family stayed close to her and provided support during this period.
Their relationship also extended into music and religion. James helped with her professional work while also becoming an important part of her faith journey.
James Newman III’s Faith
Religion played an important role in James’s adult life.
He became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and reportedly became part of the priesthood.
Other members of his family also became involved with the church.
Gladys Knight reportedly became interested after seeing the effect religion had on her children. She joined the church in 1997.
James then reportedly baptized his mother.
This became one of the better-known personal details about their relationship.
James Newman III’s Wife
James was married at the time of his death.
There is a difference between sources regarding the spelling of his wife’s name. She has been identified as Micheline Newman in one source and Michelene Newman in others.
Because the spelling is not consistent, neither version should be treated as fully confirmed without stronger documentation.
Public information about their wedding date and early relationship is limited.
James Newman III Had Five Children
James and his wife had five children, according to the available reports.
Sources describe them as three sons and two daughters.
Some secondary reports identify the children as sons Rishawn, Stefan, and Sterling and daughters Gabrielle and Nastasia. These names are not as strongly documented as the fact that James had five children.
There is little reliable public information about their current lives.
James Newman III’s Death
James Newman III died at his home in Las Vegas in 1999. He was 36 years old.
His cause of death was reported as heart failure.
Several secondary sources give his exact date of death as July 10, 1999. Other available accounts confirm the year, his age, and the cause of death without giving the exact date.
James died while he was still involved with his mother’s career and gospel music projects.
How Old Was James Newman III When He Died?
James was 36 years old when he died.
He was born on August 13, 1962, and died before reaching his 37th birthday in 1999.
James Newman III’s Net Worth
James Newman III’s personal net worth was not publicly confirmed.
Although he worked in music management and was involved with his mother’s career, there is not enough reliable financial information to give an accurate net worth figure.
Facts About James Newman III
- James Newman III was Gladys Knight’s eldest son.
- He was born on August 13, 1962.
- He was named after his father, James Newman.
- His younger sister was Kenya Maria Newman.
- Shanga Ali Hankerson was his younger half-brother.
- James worked behind the scenes in the music business.
- He reportedly managed Gladys Knight during part of her career.
- He was involved with the Many Roads gospel music project.
- James was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- He reportedly baptized Gladys Knight when she joined the church in 1997.
- James was married and had five children.
- He lived in Las Vegas.
- He died in 1999 at age 36.
- His cause of death was reported as heart failure.
- His personal net worth was never reliably made public.
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