Gladys Knight 1994-2003

On August 29, 1995 Gladys Knight married Les Brown. He encouraged her to speak publically and write a book.

In 1996 Gladys Knight performed again at Madison Square Garden where she had performed a the age of eight and won the Ted Mack championship. It was filled to capacity, and they gave her a standing ovation. She collaborated with Chaka Khan, Brandy and Tamia on the hit "Missing You," taken from the Queen Latifah movie Set It Off. Gladys Knight and The Pips were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Gladys Knight appeared in an episode of the Jamie Foxx Show.

In 1997, just before the publication of her autobiography, Between Each Line of Pain and Glory, Les Brown was diagnosed with prostate cancer and divorced Gladys Knight.

August 11,1997: Gladys Knight embraced membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by being baptized. She also released her first inspirational album Many Different Roads.

In 1998 Gladys Knight celebrated her fiftieth year as a performer. She appeared in an episode of The Roseanne Show. Gladys' son Shanga graduated from the University of San Diego and opened a restaurant in Atlanta called Gladys Knight and Ron Winan's Chicken and Waffles.

In 1999, Gladys Knight appeared on broadway in Smokey Joe's Cafe. In the spring, she was a presenter at the annual Women's Conference sponsored by Brigham Young University and the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Click here to read her address. June 12, 1999: James "Jimmy" Newman, Gladys Knight's eldest child and manager died at his home in Las Vega, Nevada at the age of 36. He left behind his wife Michelene and four children: Richawn, Nastasia, Sterling and Stephan. Obituary 1, 2. On November 8, 1999, Gladys Knight appeard with Al Green in an episode of Ally McBeal. In 2001, Knight released her first pop album in six years, At Last. She appeared on the television game show: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?! to help raise money for diabetes. She also toured with the Broadway revue Smokey Joe's Cafe. April 12, 2001: Gladys Knight married corporate consultant William McDowell. Her son Shanga gave her away in a seaside ceremony attended by 80 relatives and friends. Knight and McDowell met about 10 years ago but didn't date until January.