Smokey Robinson: The Untold Scandalous Journey of Motown’s Smooth Legend

Born William Robinson Jr. in 1940, Smokey’s arrival was nothing short of a miracle.

His mother, Flossy Robinson, was warned that her body might not handle another pregnancy after 12 years, yet she gave birth to a healthy baby boy with strikingly light skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes.

His Godfather nicknamed him “Smokey” as a reminder that despite his appearance, he was proudly Black and belonged to a loving family.

Though his childhood began happily, tragedy struck early when his mother passed away when he was just 10 years old.

The loss was devastating, and Smokey struggled to come to terms with it for years.

Music became his refuge.

Inspired by artists like Sarah Vaughan and Jackie Wilson, he discovered his own remarkable voice and formed a group called The Miracles, which would become Motown’s first successful act.

As a teenager, Smokey was a charming Casanova, winning hearts and even giving a ring to a girl whose finger turned green from the cheap metal.

But his romantic life was complicated.

He met Claudette, the sister of a bandmate, and after months of friendship, they began dating.

However, Smokey’s early immaturity showed when he pressured Claudette to be intimate before marriage, leading to tensions and his wandering eye.

Claudette’s steadfastness kept them together despite Smokey’s flirtations with other women, including Diana Ross and Roma Gordy, the wife of Motown founder Berry Gordy.

Rumors swirled about affairs with both women, and Smokey’s reputation as a ladies’ man grew.

His persistence with Roma even led to bold advances, though she resisted.

Meanwhile, Claudette endured heartbreaking miscarriages, losing several pregnancies.

Desperate to have children, she and Smokey underwent a surrogate procedure, resulting in the birth of their son Barry.

Yet Smokey’s infidelities continued unabated, including a passionate affair with a young woman named Candy, whom he set up in an apartment and kept as a mistress.

The tangled web of relationships strained Smokey’s marriage.

When Candy became pregnant, Smokey shockingly announced to Claudette—on or near their 25th anniversary—that he was leaving her for Candy.

Claudette’s anguish was palpable as she screamed and threw objects, but she refused to divorce him unless he initiated it.

Eventually, Smokey filed for divorce, marking the end of their tumultuous union.

Amidst personal chaos, Smokey’s life spiraled downward.

He became addicted to crack cocaine, performing on stage while high and suffering severe health problems.

His friends feared for him, but salvation came in the form of his best friend Leon Kennedy, who took him to church where a preacher helped him begin the path to recovery.

By the 1990s, Smokey had reclaimed his life and career.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and continued making music.

A chance meeting at a restaurant with Francis Gladney, a woman 12 years his junior, blossomed into love and marriage, providing stability and happiness.

Today, Smokey Robinson is 84 years old and still active in music and advocacy, especially fighting drug abuse and violence in communities.

Despite his scandalous past, he remains a beloved figure, a green-eyed Casanova turned legend who lived through highs and lows to emerge stronger.

His story reminds us that behind every icon lies a human being—flawed, passionate, and resilient.

Smokey Robinson’s journey through love, loss, and redemption is as compelling as the timeless songs he gifted the world.