Kolleen Maria Gipson is the mother of neo-soul legend Erykah Badu and a woman whose quiet strength shaped one of music’s most unique voices. When we think about famous singers, we often forget about the people who helped them become stars. Born in 1950 in Texas, Kolleen raised three talented children by herself after her divorce and became the inspiration for OutKast’s hit song “Ms Jackson“. Though she stays away from the spotlight, her story shows us that quiet strength and love can make a big difference in shaping successful lives.
Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kolleen Maria Gipson (now Kolleen Wright) |
| Birth Year | 1950 |
| Birth Place | Grimes County, Texas, United States |
| Age | 75 years old (as of 2025) |
| Parents | L.A. Gipson and N.M. Gipson |
| Former Husband | William Wright Jr. (divorced) |
| Children | Erykah Badu, Nayrok Wright, Eevin Wright |
| Grandchildren | Seven Sirius Benjamin, Puma Sabti Curry, Mars Merkaba Thedford |
| Current Status | Living privately with family |
Early Life in Texas
Kolleen Maria Gipson was born in 1950 in Grimes County, a small area in Texas. She grew up in a simple Southern community where family, faith, and hard work were very important. Her parents, L.A. Gipson and N.M. Gipson, taught her strong values about life and family.
Growing up in Texas during the 1950s and 1960s was a special time. The country was changing, and African American artists were creating new types of music and art. These changes would later influence how Kolleen raised her own children.
Life in Grimes County was not easy, but it taught Kolleen to be strong. She learned to face problems with courage and to never give up. These lessons became very important when she later became a single mother.
Marriage and Family Life
When Kolleen was young, she met William Wright Jr. They fell in love and got married on August 21, 1970, in Dallas, Texas. They were excited to start a family together.
On February 26, 1971, when Kolleen was just 21 years old, she gave birth to her first child, Erica Abi Wright. The world would later know this baby girl as Erykah Badu. After Erykah, Kolleen had two more children: Nayrok Wright and Eevin Wright.
However, the marriage did not last. In the late 1970s, Kolleen and William had serious problems and decided to divorce. After the separation, William was not very involved in raising the children. This meant Kolleen had to raise all three kids by herself.
Life as a Single Mother
Being a single mother to three children was not easy. Kolleen had to work hard to give her children food, clothes, and a safe home. But she did more than just take care of their basic needs. She also wanted to help them grow their talents and follow their dreams.
Kolleen had a special way of raising her children. She did not force them to follow strict rules about what they should become. Instead, she gave them freedom to explore different interests. She encouraged them to be creative and to express themselves.
In their home, music and art were always important. Kolleen made sure her children could try different activities. When Erykah showed interest in singing and dancing, Kolleen supported her. She took Erykah to the Dallas Theater Center when she was only four years old.
Her Children’s Success
All three of Kolleen’s children have pursued creative careers, which shows how well she raised them.
Erykah Badu became a world-famous singer. Her first album, “Baduizm,” came out in 1997 and won many awards. People call her the “Queen of Neo-Soul” because of her special style of music. She mixes R&B, hip-hop, and jazz in ways that sound fresh and different.
Nayrok Wright works as a comedian and actress. She keeps a lower profile than her famous sister but has found her own path in entertainment.
Eevin Wright is a singer-songwriter who also works in the music industry.
The “Ms Jackson” Story
Kolleen Maria Gipson became part of music history in an unexpected way. In the 1990s, Erykah Badu dated Andre 3000 from the rap group OutKast. They had a son together named Seven Sirius Benjamin. When Erykah and Andre broke up, Andre felt bad about how things ended.
In 2000, OutKast released a song called “Ms Jackson.” The song was Andre’s way of saying sorry to Erykah’s mother for the problems in their relationship. The song became a huge hit and won a Grammy Award.
How did Kolleen feel about being in a famous song? She loved it! Erykah said her mother bought many “Ms Jackson” items, including a special license plate, a coffee mug, and other things. Kolleen showed her fun personality by enjoying the attention.
Andre 3000 later said: “I probably would never come out and tell Erykah’s mom, ‘I’m sorry for what went down.’ But music gives you the chance to say what you want to say. And her mom loved it.”
Life Today
Today, Kolleen Maria Gipson is about 75 years old. She still lives a quiet life away from cameras and fame. Unlike her daughter, who is always in the public eye, Kolleen prefers privacy.
She focuses on her family, which now includes four generations of women. Recent photos on social media show Kolleen with Erykah and her granddaughter Puma. These pictures show that the strong family bonds Kolleen created are still there today.
Kolleen is proud of her children’s success, but she never tries to take credit for it. She remains humble and happy to support her family from behind the scenes.
Conclusion
Kolleen Maria Gipson may not be a celebrity, but she is truly remarkable. She turned the challenge of single motherhood into an opportunity to raise three creative and successful children. She influenced one of music’s most important artists while staying humble and private.
Her story reminds us that the most important people in our lives are often not the ones on stage or in the spotlight. They are the ones who support us, believe in us, and help us become who we are meant to be. For Erykah Badu and her siblings, that person is their mother, Kolleen Maria Gipson.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Kolleen Maria Gipson?
She is the mother of neo-soul singer Erykah Badu and the inspiration for OutKast’s song “Ms Jackson.”
2. How old is Kolleen Maria Gipson?
She was born in 1950, making her about 75 years old as of 2025.
3. Is “Ms Jackson” really about her?
Yes, Andre 3000 wrote the song as an apology to her after breaking up with Erykah Badu.
4. How many children does she have?
She has three children: Erykah Badu, Nayrok Wright, and Eevin Wright.
5. What is she doing now?
She lives a quiet, private life with her family away from public attention.
Discover the full story and more updates at Bolt News