Publish date: 2024-02-04

Who is Patti LaBelle’s ex-husband?

Armstead Edwards is the ex-husband of Singer Patti LaBelle. Edwards’s ex-wife built her career in the early 1960s as lead singer and frontwoman of the vocal group Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. With her extraordinary talent, she is sometimes referred to as the “Godmother of Soul”. Aside from being a musician, he is also a songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Edwards was also LaBelle’s manager.

Armstead Edwards: Bio Summary

How old is Armstead Edwards?

Armstead Edwards’s ex-wife LaBelle was born on May 24, 1944. She is 79 years old as of 2023. Armstead Edwards on the other hand was born on April 1942 according to sources. He is 81 years old as of 2023. He was in the United States of America but the exact place of his birth and his parents are unknown. LaBelle and her ex-husband were seven years apart when it comes to their age gap.

ALSO, READ; Dodd Stocker-Edwards: Who is Patti LaBelle’s son?

How did Patti LaBelle and her ex-husband meet?

As LaBelle revealed to “Oprah’s Master Class,” she has been with her husband, Armstead Edwards, for more than 30 years. Edward who was a schoolteacher and also a longtime friend had been LaBelle’s manager before falling in love with the singer, but despite their closeness, LaBelle initially turned down Edwards’ proposals — all three of them.

“[He] asked me to marry him three times, and I said no. The fourth time, I asked him,” LaBelle says. “He said, ‘Let me give it a few days.’ So he gave it a few days, and he said yes.” It was “small [and] cute,” the singer said. The couple went to the justice of the peace and got married in Maryland in 1969. The reception included hard-shell crabs and beer.

They had a Son named Zuri Kye Edwards

Four years after their marriage, LaBelle and her ex-husband Edwards gave birth to their son, Zuri Edwards (whose name means “good” in Swahili). Following the birth of their son, the singer revealed she suffered from postpartum depression for about a year and it took the help of singer-songwriter Laura Nyro to take care of her newborn baby Zuri while she recovers.

ALSO, READ; Zuri Kye Edwards: Where is Patti LaBelle’s son now?

Armstead Edwards and LaBelle also adopted four children- Stayce Holte, Dodd Stocker-Edwards, William Holte, and Stanley Stocker-Edwards. Dodd Stocker Edwards and Stanley Edwards were her deceased neighbor’s children. The other two William and Stayce are her sister’s children. She later adopted them after her sister, Jackie died. Then, after decades together, LaBelle had a harsh realization about her relationship with Edwards.

Why did Patti LaBelle and her husband Divorce?

The Singer revealed- “We realized that we couldn’t live together anymore. We liked each other from a distance,” LaBelle admits. “When you feel that, somebody gotta go.” The two announced their legal separation in 2000, called the whole marriage a quit, and finalized everything in 2003. The singer revealed they parted as friends.

LaBelle revealed- “I never hated him. He never hated me,” she says. “We just couldn’t live together — not because of physical fights or anything. We never fought, thank God, in 32 years. We got along even when we didn’t get along! But then we realized that we had to leave each other.”…. “We’re cool now,” she says. “He’s one of my best friends.”

ALSO, READ; Stanley Stocker-Edwards: Everything about Patti LaBelle’s son

After their marriage came to an end, Armstead Edwards’s position as LaBelle’s manager was handed over to their son Zuri. Zuri still holds that position up to date. Though his son Zuri, Armstead Edwards is a grandfather. He is the grandfather of two daughters, Gia and Leyla, and a son, Zuri Jr. 

Patti LaBelle has admitted that she is ready to start dating again at the age of 78 after divorcing Armstead Edwards following a 32-year marriage, according to Fox News. Patti shared that though she was married to a wonderful man for 32 years she needs to find happiness for herself which is why she is stepping back into the dating game.

ALSO, READ; William Holte: Everything About Patti LaBelle’s son

Where is Patti LaBelle’s husband now?

LaBelle’s former partner, Armstead Edwards hasn’t sat up for many Q and A in recent times. Further, unlike his ex-wife, he also isn’t that active on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or likewise, pass time zones. It is unclear what precisely Armstead is doing now. He went totally out of the limelight after their divorce. He has not made the news or any headlines in recent times.

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