When you grow up as the child of a music star, the world often expects you to follow the same path. But Berry William Borope Robinson chose something different. He is the son of the famous Motown singer Smokey Robinson, yet he lives a quiet life away from cameras and fame. His story shows us that being part of a famous family does not mean you have to live in the spotlight. Let’s learn about Berry’s life, his family, and why he chose privacy over fame.
Detailed Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Berry William Borope Robinson |
| Date of Birth | 1968 |
| Age | 57 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | United States |
| Father | Smokey Robinson (William Robinson Jr.) |
| Mother | Claudette Rogers Robinson |
| Siblings | Tamla Claudette Robinson (sister), Trey Robinson (half-brother) |
| Godfather | Berry Gordy (Founder of Motown Records) |
| Children | Two (twins – a boy and a girl) |
| Known For | Son of Motown legend Smokey Robinson |
| Career | Private (not publicly known) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
| Lifestyle | Private, away from public attention |
Early Life and Special Name
Berry William Borope Robinson was born in 1968, right in the middle of Motown’s golden time. This was when his father’s music was becoming famous all over America. His birth came after a difficult time for his parents, who faced many health problems before he was born.
His name tells an important story. Berry Gordy, who started Motown Records and was a close friend of the family, gave him his first name. Berry Gordy is also his godfather. His middle name “William” comes from his father, whose real name is William Robinson Jr. The name “Borope” is special too. It honors the other members of The Miracles, the famous music group his parents were part of. The letters come from Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, and Pete Moore.
Berry was born through a surrogate mother. His father, Smokey Robinson, shared that his mother Claudette had seven miscarriages before Berry was born. This made Berry’s arrival even more special to the family.
Growing Up in a Music Family
Growing up in Los Angeles during the 1970s and 1980s, Berry lived in a world full of music. His father was creating famous songs like “Tears of a Clown” and “Tracks of My Tears.” His mother was also part of The Miracles, making her an important part of Motown history.
But even though music was all around him, Berry’s childhood was kept as normal as possible. His parents tried to give him and his sister a regular life, even though they were part of music history.
The Robinson home was often visited by famous musicians and artists. Berry grew up meeting people who shaped American music. However, his parents made sure that fame did not change their family values.
His Famous Parents
Berry’s father, Smokey Robinson, is called the “King of Motown“. Born on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Smokey became one of the most important people in music history. He wrote over 4,000 songs during his career and had 37 songs that became top hits.
Smokey Robinson’s net worth is about $150 million. This comes from his many years of making music, writing songs, and working as a producer. His success helped create a comfortable life for his children.
Berry’s mother, Claudette Rogers Robinson, is known as the “First Lady of Motown”. She was born on June 20, 1938, and was the only woman in The Miracles when the group started. Berry Gordy gave her this special title because she was the first female artist signed to a Motown label.
Claudette and Smokey got married on November 7, 1959. They stayed married for 27 years before separating in 1986. During their marriage, they created beautiful music together and built a family.
Family and Siblings
Berry has two siblings who share his family story.
His sister, Tamla Claudette Robinson, was born in 1971. She was named after Tamla Records, which was the original name of Motown. Unlike Berry, Tamla chose to work in the entertainment world. She works as an executive producer for “The First Lady of Motown: The Claudette Robinson Story” and takes care of her mother’s personal records and history.
Tamla also runs a clothing shop called “Born Star.” She is very active on social media and often shares photos with her family. She has a daughter named Lyric, who finished her studies at the University of Southern California in 2019.
Berry also has a younger half-brother named Trey Robinson, who was born in 1984. Trey’s birth happened during a difficult time in the family. His father had a relationship with a woman named Kandi while still married to Claudette. This caused Smokey and Claudette’s marriage to end.
Private Life and Personal Choices
Berry William Borope Robinson is known for keeping his life very private. Unlike many children of famous people, he does not share his life on social media or do interviews. This choice shows his strong character and what matters most to him.
Very little is known about his work or career. Berry chose not to follow his parents into the music business. This was a brave decision because many people expected him to become a singer or work in entertainment.
Berry is a father to twins – a boy and a girl. His children have a good relationship with their grandfather, Smokey Robinson. They have been seen spending time together on walks and family visits. However, Berry keeps his children away from public attention, just like he does with his own life.
The Robinson Family Today
Today, Smokey Robinson is still active in music at 84 years old. In 2024, he co-hosted a special TV show called “A Motown Christmas” with other famous Motown artists. His love for music continues to inspire people around the world.
Berry’s sister Tamla remains active in the entertainment world, working to protect and share their mother’s story and contributions to music history. She often posts about family celebrations and special moments on social media.
The Robinson family shows that success can look different for each person. While Smokey found success through music and Tamla through entertainment production, Berry found his own success through living a meaningful private life.
Conclusion
Berry William Borope Robinson’s story is about more than being Smokey Robinson’s son. It is about making choices that feel right for you, even when the world expects something else.
Born into one of music’s most famous families, Berry chose a different path. He chose privacy, personal peace, and family over fame and public attention. This choice shows his character and the values his parents gave him.
While his father’s voice filled concert halls and his mother’s talent helped build Motown, Berry built something just as valuable – a life lived on his own terms. In doing this, he adds an important chapter to the Robinson family story.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Berry William Borope Robinson?
Berry William Borope Robinson is the oldest son of Motown legend Smokey Robinson and singer Claudette Rogers Robinson. He was born in 1968 and is known for living a very private life away from the public spotlight.
2. Why is his name so special?
His name has deep meaning. “Berry” comes from Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records who is also his godfather. “William” honors his father Smokey (William Robinson Jr.), and “Borope” represents the other members of The Miracles – Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, and Pete Moore.
3. Does Berry William Borope Robinson work in music?
No, Berry chose not to follow his parents into the music business. He has kept his career and professional life completely private, unlike his famous parents and his sister Tamla who works in entertainment.
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