On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, the three-time Grammy Award-winning singer, actor, and activist Harry Belafonte passed away at 96. The father-of-four was at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan when he breathed his last.
The news of Belafonte’s death was revealed by his spokesperson Paula Witt from the public relations firm Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis. Witt also revealed that the Calypso star and Civil Rights Movement activist died after suffering from congestive heart failure with his wife, Pamela Frank, by his side.
From being known as arguably the most successful Caribbean-American pop star of all time to serving as a close confidant to Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, Harry Belafonte was one of the most significant individuals in the last 50 years of US history.
Harry Belafonte Had Four Children Across His Three Marriages
Born in 1927 to West Indian immigrants in New York’s Harlem, Harry Belafonte embraced his Caribbean heritage when he launched his musical career with Trinbagonian Calypso in the 1950s. Belafonte had already wed his first wife, Marguerite Byrd when he released his 1956 studio album Calypso, which helped launch his career.
Adrienne and Shari, the couple’s two daughters, were born in 1948 after Byrd and Belafonte’s marriage. However, it is said that the couple split up while Byrd was expecting Shari.
For the uninitiated, Adrienne Belafonte, the eldest daughter, attended West Virginia State University before becoming a professional counselor and running her own business for more than 25 years.
She and her daughter Rachel started the Anir Foundation in 1997 with the goal of giving communities in the Caribbean and South Africa access to internships and job possibilities. She is passionate about giving back to the community. It’s interesting to note that Adrienne spoke as the keynoter at a West Virginia State University celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. in 2019.
Shari Belafonte, the second child of Harry Belafonte, decided to pursue a career in acting and modeling. If You Could See What I Hear, Murder by Numbers, ABC’s Hotel, General Hospital, Teacher of the Year, and other shows are just a few of the works she appeared in. Currently married to her General Hospital co-star Sam Behrens, Shari has been married twice before.
David Belafonte was the only son and third child of Harry Belafonte and Julie Robinson. Gina was the youngest daughter among Belafonte’s children. Julie and Harry were married in 1957 and had two children: David and Gina.
David Belafonte, another actor, has roles in Timebomb and Across the Tracks. David has worked for the family-run Belafonte Enterprises for 20 years as the VP and executive director in addition to being an actor. Gina Belafonte, a fellow actress, has appeared in TV productions like Friends and The Angry Beavers.
Harry and Julie split up in 2004, and in 2008, he wed Pamela Frank, his third wife. There were no offspring from Harry Belafonte’s third marriage. The third wife, four children, and five grandkids of the late King of Calypso, who passed away on Friday, April 25, 2023, remain in his life.
Conclusion
Harry Belafonte, the renowned Caribbean-American pop star, actor, and civil rights activist, passed away at the age of 96 on April 25, 2023, due to congestive heart failure. Belafonte’s legacy includes his music, activism, and his four children from his three marriages, all of whom have pursued careers in acting, counseling, and philanthropy.
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