Gladys Knight’s son, Shanga Hankerson, has raised concerns about the legendary singer’s health, alleging she is suffering from early dementia and accusing her husband, William McDowell, of elder abuse related to her ongoing performances. Hankerson claims that Knight is being pressured to continue touring despite her declining cognitive condition.
Hankerson filed a formal complaint with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, specifically addressing Knight’s participation in the current “Queen’s Tour” alongside Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Stephanie Mills. He alleges that her health issues are being minimized while she performs, pointing to a concert last summer where Knight reportedly appeared to zone out and forgot parts of her songs.
Knight, 81, is a seven-time Grammy Award winner whose career spans more than six decades, beginning in the 1950s with The Pips. Known as the “Empress of Soul,” she has had major hits including “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye).”
In recent years, she has continued to tour extensively, often performing to sold-out crowds. The “Queen’s Tour,” which began in 2025, was marketed as a rare gathering of four legendary vocalists, generating significant interest among fans and the media. Knight’s participation in the tour has been widely celebrated, making the current dispute over her health and work schedule more visible and sensitive.
According to Hankerson, the singer’s personality has changed in recent years, shifting from calm and gentle to more aggressive at times, especially when confused about her surroundings or her husband’s location. He recalled an incident in which Knight wandered away from her hotel and was found across town, unable to explain why she was there. Staff members alerted her daughter and longtime road manager Larry Ward to assist.
Since filing the complaint, Hankerson says he has received text messages from McDowell, who asserted that Knight is “happy and loved,” and requested peace. McDowell warned that involving authorities like police or social services could disrupt what Knight is “trying to maintain.” He also mentioned that Knight has been diagnosed with Sundowner’s Syndrome, a condition that can cause confusion in the evenings.
Hankerson emphasizes that his intention is not to sabotage the tour but to protect his mother’s well-being. “That’s my mom, I truly love her. I don’t care about her working a second longer while she’s alive. The direction she’s going is pushing her toward the end, and I don’t want to see that,” he said.
Neither Knight nor McDowell has issued an official response to these allegations as of this writing.
