Patti labelle children and grandchildren
Patti LaBelle is a national treasure to her fans, but nobody loves the “Godmother of Soul” more than her children. The 79-year-old music icon is the proud mother of five kids, four of whom are adopted. Despite having a busy career since she rose to fame in the 1960s, Patti never wavered from being an extraordinary parent. After all these years, Patti has slowly taken a step back from performing, though she will make a special appearance during Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper‘s New Year’s Eve Live special on CNN.
Below is everything you need to know about Patti’s five children.
Zuri Kye Edwards
Zuri Kye Edwards, 50, is Patti’s only biological child. He was born on July 17, 1973. His father is Patti’s first and only husband, Armstead Edwards, whom she was married to from 1969 to 2000.
In 2015, Patti appeared on Oprah’s Master Class and opened up about how she struggled with postpartum depression after welcoming Zuri. “When Zuri was born, I cried all the time,” said Patti. “I was just … not feeling myself, the way I used to.” Patti even revealed that her friend, Laura, would help care for Zuri when she was struggling.
Once he was old enough, Zuri became Patti’s manager and he still holds that job today. Zuri is married to Lona Azami and together they have three children, Gia, Leyla, and Zuri Kye Jr. Patti proudly posts about her grandchildren on her Instagram.
Dodd-Stocker Edwards
Dodd-Stocker Edwards, 50, and his brother, Stanley Stocker-Edwards, were both adopted by Patti in 1973 while she was married to Armstead. They were reportedly Patti’s deceased neighbor’s children so she decided to take them in and raise them as her own. Dodd is the founder of PUMP Dog Performance Apparel in Philadelphia, according to his LinkedIn. He previously worked as the director of marketing at Global Cure CBD Wellness Center in Jupiter, Florida.
Stanley Stocker-Edwards
As mentioned above, Stanley Stocker-Edwar When she’s not singing or acting, Patti LaBelle is running a cookbook business based on recipes she makes for her family, including her five children: Zuri Kye Edwards, Dodd Stocker-Edwards, Stanley Stocker-Edwards, William Holte and Stayce Holte. With hits like "Lady Marmalade" and “New Attitude,” LaBelle is one of the greatest soul singers of her generation who has also expanded into acting, appearing on shows like A Different World, American Horror Storyand The Masked Singer. Through all her success, LaBelle grew her family and has counted her kids among her biggest achievements. LaBelle's career had already taken off when she married longtime friend Armstead Edwards in 1969. He quit his job as a teacher and became LaBelle's manager, working with her until they separated in 2000 and ultimately divorced in 2003. During their marriage, they had one son, Zuri, born July 17, 1973. Before their divorce, LaBelle and Edwards also adopted sons Dodd and Stanley. In 1989, LaBelle's sister Jackie died from brain cancer at age 44. After this loss, the singer adopted her sister’s two children, William and Stayce. Now, LaBelle's kids have made her a grandmother. In 2017, the "On My Own" singer told PEOPLE about how she spends her time with Zuri's daughter Gia. “She likes to dance and she plays like she’s on stage with the little pretend mic,” LaBelle said. “She’ll hold the mic and sing, ‘Patti, Patti!’ I think she’s making me lighter and happier and feeling like a young girl again.” Here is everything to know about Patti LaBelle's five children. When his father stepped away from managing LaBelle’s career in 2000, Zuri took over and has been his mother’s manager since. On July 17, 2023, LaBelle posted a sweet birthday tribute to her son. “Wishing my son Zuri a very happy and blessed birthday!” she wro Patti LaBelle, born Patricia Louise Holt-Edwards, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She is renowned for her powerful vocal range and versatile musical style encompassing R&B, soul, gospel, and rock. Who are Patti Labelle’s children? As the Godmother of Soul, Patti is an iconic woman and a mother figure to many, including her children. Patti LaBelle has achieved numerous accomplishments throughout her career, including hit songs like Lady Marmalade, If Only You Knew, and New Attitude. In addition to her music career, Patti LaBelle has ventured into acting, appearing in TV shows and films. She's also known for her culinary skills and has authored several cookbooks. Patti is a mother of five. Only one of the American singer’s children is biological, while the rest are adopted. Patti LaBelle’s kids, in order of age, are Zuri Kye Edwards, Dodd Stocker-Edwards, Stanley Stocker-Edwards, William Holte and Stayce Holte. Learn more about them below: Zuri Kye Edwards is Patti’s eldest son and her only biological child. He was born on 17 July 1973 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is 50 years old as of 2023. Zuri was born to Patti and her ex-husband Armstead Edwards after they had been married for four years. He is a music producer and talent manager. After Armstead and Patti separated, Armstead stopped working as her manager. Zuri took over the role and has been his mother’s manager since. LaBelle stated that they fight often. However, she is confident that he always gives her the best advice and will never lead her astray because he’s her baby. Zuri is married to Lona Azami, and they have three children: Gia, Leyla and Zuri Jr. Their eldest daughter, Gia, was born on 3 March 2015. At just eight years of age, she has already been introduced to the world of fashion, and her grandmother Patti considers her a little stylish diva. The couple’s second daughter, Leyla, was Patti LaBelle loves to sing to her granddaughters. “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star;” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow;” “Somebody Loves You, Baby” – they’re all in her arsenal. But there’s one song that they love to hear more than any other — and LaBelle knows she’s got to give the fans what they want. “Oh, the little baby 2-year-old is singing, ‘Gitchi, gitchi, ya, ya, da, da,’ about a hooker, okay?” LaBelle says with a laugh about her now 4-year-old granddaughter Gia‘s affinity for “Lady Marmalade,” LaBelle’s megahit from 1975. Even Leyla, 23 months, wants in on the action; during a diaper change for a PEOPLE photoshoot with her “glam-ma,” she requested LaBelle’s music and “Lady Marmalade” is the one “she usually likes.” And singalongs aren’t confined to their quality time together; LaBelle has brought her granddaughters (whose dad is her son and manager Zuri Edwards, 46) onstage – then found they’ve inherited their grandma’s love of the limelight. “We couldn’t keep Gia off the stage … She just says her name and won’t leave the stage,” LaBelle says. “And Leyla, if she came out she was going to take the mic. She’s going to turn up so I don’t trust her on the stage now.” Patti LaBelle Lets Her Adorable Granddaughters ‘Make a Fool’ of Her Whenever They Want Her granddaughters’ affinity for music and dance is so strong, LaBelle won’t be surprised if they follow her onto the stage. “Oh God. They’re both going to be, I think, show business babies. And they’d better do it well,” she says. That’s not to say she’s a stage grandma: “No way. Uh-uh. Let them be themselves. Don’t ever want to have a show business baby who’s forced to be show business. Let her fall into it, if that’s her lane.” Instead, LaBelle (who is following up her pie assortment at Walmart with a line of frozen soul food) hopes her granddaughters are “kind, sharing,
Patti LaBelle's 5 Children: Meet Zuri, Dodd, Stanley, William and Stayce
Zuri is LaBelle’s longtime manager
Who are Patti LaBelle’s children?
Zuri Kye Edwards
Patti LaBelle's Grandkids Love to Sing 'Lady Marmalade': 'This Baby Is Singing Gitchy, Gitchy, Ya, Ya, Da Da!'