We all know Ray Charles — the man behind timeless songs like Georgia on My Mind and Hit the Road Jack. His music touched hearts around the world. But did you know he had a son who lived a life almost no one knew about?
His name was Charles Wayne Hendricks, and he was Ray Charles’ son with singer Margie Hendrix, one of the original Raelettes. Unlike his father, Charles didn’t want the spotlight. He didn’t chase fame. He chose to live quietly, away from the cameras and crowds.
In this article, we’ll explore the life of Charles Wayne Hendricks — from his famous parents and difficult childhood to the private choices he made as an adult. His story is full of love, loss, silence, and strength.
Charles Wayne Hendricks Quick Bio
| Full Name | Charles Wayne Hendricks |
| Famous As | Ray Charles’ son |
| Date of Birth | October 1, 1959 |
| Birthday | October 1 |
| Place of Birth | New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | Ray Charles |
| Mother | Margie Hendrix |
| Siblings | 11 half‑siblings |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Marlene Hendricks |
| Children | 7 children, 3 stepchildren |
| Net Worth | Received $500,000 trust |
| Date of Death | 2013 |
| Age at Death | 54 years |
| Cause of Death | Not publicly known |
Who Was Charles Wayne Hendricks?
Charles Wayne Hendricks was the only child born to Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix. Even though his parents were both music stars, Charles chose a very different life. He stayed out of the spotlight, avoided the press, and lived quietly until his death in 2013.
Most people didn’t know he existed until much later. And even now, very few details are publicly known. This has made many people curious: Why would someone with such famous parents stay so quiet?
The answer is simple — Charles valued peace more than fame. He never tried to use his father’s name to become famous. He lived privately, which made his story even more special.
When and Where Was Charles Born?
Charles Wayne Hendricks was born on October 1, 1959, in Harlem, New York City. At that time, Ray Charles was already a rising star in the music world. His songs were on the radio, and he was always traveling for concerts.
Charles was born during a very busy time in Ray’s life. His mother, Margie Hendrix, was also a big part of Ray’s music. She was one of the Raelettes, Ray’s backup singers, and had a strong, beautiful voice.
Even though Charles was born into a world full of music and fame, he didn’t grow up surrounded by lights and cameras. Instead, he lived a quiet life with his mother, far from the spotlight.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Famous Parents
Charles’ parents were two talented and passionate people. His father, Ray Charles, was a blind singer, pianist, and songwriter who changed American music forever. He mixed soul, blues, gospel, and jazz in a way no one had done before.
His mother, Margie Hendrix, was just as powerful in her own way. She had a bold voice and was one of the founding members of the Raelettes. Her strong stage presence and soulful singing made her stand out.
Together, Ray and Margie made beautiful music. But their relationship was not always beautiful. Behind the scenes, things were messy, emotional, and painful. And Charles was born right in the middle of it.
Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix’s Complicated Love Story
Ray and Margie met through music. They worked together, sang together, and soon fell in love. But there was one big problem — Ray Charles was already married to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson at the time.
Even though he was married, Ray continued his relationship with Margie. Their love was passionate but full of fights, jealousy, and heartbreak. Margie wanted Ray to leave his wife and be with her and their son, Charles.
Ray never did. Over time, things got worse. Margie began struggling with alcohol and drug use, and the relationship broke apart. But no matter what happened between them, Charles remained the one thing they shared forever.
Growing Up with a Music Legend for a Father
You might think being Ray Charles’ son would be exciting. But for Charles, it was often lonely. His father was almost always away — touring, performing, or recording music. That meant Charles rarely got to see him.
Even though Ray supported him financially, their bond as father and son wasn’t strong. Ray had many children from different relationships, and it was hard for him to be close to all of them.
So Charles grew up mainly with his mother. He didn’t go to award shows or red carpets. He lived a quiet life, and that silence followed him into adulthood.
Losing His Mother at Just 14 Years Old
One of the saddest moments in Charles’ life happened when he was only 14 years old. In July 1973, his mother Margie Hendrix died at the age of 38. The cause of her death has never been clearly explained.
Some believe it was due to drug use, while others say it might have been a health problem. But the truth is, no official cause was ever confirmed. What we do know is that her death changed everything for Charles.
Losing your mother as a teenager is heartbreaking. After Margie died, Charles was raised by other family members. This painful time likely shaped his decision to live a quiet, private life away from fame and attention.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Life After Margie’s Death
After his mother passed away, Charles faded even further from the public eye. He was just 14, without a strong connection to his father, and left to find his own way in the world.
Some reports say Ray Charles took him in, while others suggest he lived with other relatives. But either way, Charles did not become part of the music scene. He did not seek fame. He did not speak publicly. He kept to himself.
As he grew up, this quiet life became his path. He stayed away from the media, never gave interviews, and didn’t appear in public, even during events related to his famous father.
Did Charles Follow Ray Charles into Music?
You might expect the son of Ray Charles to also become a musician. But Charles Wayne Hendricks didn’t take that path. He never released songs, didn’t join a band, and didn’t perform on stage. He quietly walked in a different direction.
Maybe music reminded him of the pain between his parents. Or maybe he simply didn’t enjoy being in the spotlight. Whatever the reason, Charles made his own choice — and that choice was to live a simple and private life.
Even as his father’s fame grew, Charles stayed away from the public. He didn’t use his father’s name to build a career. That says a lot about the kind of man he was — quiet, thoughtful, and content to live a normal life.
His Marriage and Family Life
Later in life, Charles found love. He was married to a woman named Marlene Hendricks. They lived in Aurora, Colorado, far away from the busy world of Hollywood or music tours.
Together, they built a big, blended family. Reports say Charles had seven biological children and three stepchildren. That means ten children grew up calling him Dad. He was a father, and later, a grandfather too.
He never posted photos or gave interviews about his home life. But this shows how much Charles Wayne Hendricks valued privacy and peace. He may not have had the most stable childhood, but he worked hard to give his own children something better.
Why Charles Wasn’t in the Movie “Ray”
In 2004, the movie Ray came out. It starred Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles and became a huge hit. Many people learned about Ray’s music and life through this film. Actress Regina King even played Margie Hendrix, Charles’ mother.
But one person was missing — Charles Wayne Hendricks. He didn’t appear in the film, and he didn’t give any comments about it. Some say the filmmakers never contacted him. Others believe he just didn’t want to be involved.
That fits with everything else we know. Charles never wanted fame. He stayed quiet even when people were talking about his parents. He chose peace over attention, just like he always had.
The Lawsuit Over Ray Charles’ Music Rights
After Ray Charles died in 2004, most of his money and music rights were left to the Ray Charles Foundation. It’s a charity that helps people with hearing and vision problems. But many of Ray’s children felt they were left out.
In 2013, Charles Wayne Hendricks and several of his half-siblings took legal action. They tried to stop the loss of their father’s music rights under copyright law. It was a big case that drew media attention.
They eventually won. Each child, including Charles, received a $500,000 trust, just like Ray had promised before he passed. This legal fight was one of the very few times Charles’ name showed up in public. And even then, he stayed quiet.
Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Mysterious Death
Charles died in May 2013, at the age of 54. But to this day, we still don’t know what caused his death. His family never spoke about it. There was no autopsy report shared with the public.
This mystery made people even more curious about his life. How could the son of a music legend pass away with so little news or notice?
But maybe this silence was exactly what Charles Wayne Hendricks would have wanted. He lived quietly, so it makes sense that he left the world quietly too.
Final Thoughts
The story of Charles Wayne Hendricks, Ray Charles’ son, is not loud. It doesn’t come with flashing lights or big headlines. It’s soft, real, and full of quiet strength.
He was born into a world of music and drama. He lost his mother young. He didn’t grow up close to his famous father. But he still made a life for himself — one built on love, peace, and family.
He never chased the spotlight. He didn’t want to be known as “Ray Charles’ son” — he just wanted to be Charles. And in doing that, he became a powerful part of the story without saying a word.
(FAQs)
What was Charles Wayne Hendricks’ cause of death?
No one knows. He died in 2013, but his family never shared how or why he passed away.
Who was Charles Wayne Hendricks’ mother?
His mother was Margie Hendrix, a singer with the Raelettes. She died in 1973 when Charles was only 14 years old.
Did Charles Wayne Hendricks have brothers or sisters?
He had 11 half‑siblings, all from Ray Charles’ other relationships.
Did Charles Wayne Hendricks have children?
He had 7 children and 3 stepchildren, but he kept their lives very private.
What was Charles Wayne Hendricks’ net worth?
His full net worth is not known, but he did receive $500,000 from his father’s trust after Ray Charles died.
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