Who is Sandi Graham? Meet Drake’s Mother

Sandi Graham is a Canadian former English teacher and florist best known as the mother of rapper Drake. She raised Drake mainly as a single mother in Toronto after separating from his father, Dennis Graham. Drake has often spoken about his mother’s support and has honored her in his music, tattoos, gifts, and public appearances.

Quick Facts About Sandi Graham

Detail	Information
Full Name	Sandra Graham, also reported as Sandra Gale/Gayle Graham
Common Name	Sandi Graham
Maiden Name	Sher
Date of Birth	January 28
Birth Year	1948 appears better supported; 1960 is also reported
Age	78 as of 2026 if the 1948 date is correct
Birthplace	Toronto, Ontario, Canada, reported
Nationality	Canadian
Heritage	Ashkenazi Jewish
Father	Reuben “Ruby” Sher, reported
Mother	Evelyn Etta Brontman, reported
Profession	Former English teacher and florist
Ex-Husband	Dennis Graham
Marriage	June 1985
Divorce	Around 1991
Child	Aubrey Drake Graham
Grandson	Adonis Graham
Known For	Being Drake’s mother and primary caregiver
Net Worth	Not reliably confirmed

Sandi Graham’s Age and Birthday

Sandi’s birthday is widely reported as January 28, but there is a conflict over her birth year.

One secondary source gives her date of birth as January 28, 1960. A newer source lists January 28, 1948.

The 1948 date has stronger support in the information available. In January 2023, Dennis Graham reportedly celebrated Sandi’s 75th birthday. That would place her birth in 1948.

If January 28, 1948 is correct, Sandi is 78 years old as of 2026.

Her zodiac sign is Aquarius.

What Is Sandi Graham’s Full Name?

Sandi’s name appears differently in secondary sources.

She was born with the surname Sher and is commonly known as Sandi Graham.

Sources have identified her as Sandra Gale Graham or Sandra Gayle Graham. Another older profile uses Sandra Sher Graham.

Drake’s tattoo of the initials “SG” has also been reported as standing for Sandra Gale.

Where Was Sandi Graham Born?

Sandi was born in Canada.

A newer secondary source gives her birthplace more specifically as Toronto, Ontario.

She is Canadian and spent much of her life in Toronto.

Sandi Graham’s Jewish Family Background

Sandi was raised in a Jewish family.

She is described in secondary sources as having Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, with family roots in:

• Russia
• Poland
• Latvia

Her Jewish background also became an important part of Drake’s upbringing.

Sandi Graham’s Parents

A newer secondary source identifies Sandi’s father as Reuben “Ruby” Sher and her mother as Evelyn Etta Brontman.

An older source says her parents owned a factory but does not give more details about the business.

These family details come from secondary reporting.

Did Sandi Graham Have Siblings?

Sandi reportedly had at least one brother.

An older secondary source says her brother died in 2011, but his name is not provided.

The same source reports that Sandi’s mother died on November 22, 2012.

Sandi Graham’s Education

Reliable information about Sandi’s own education is limited.

The supplied sources do not identify the school, college, or university she attended.

What Did Sandi Graham Do for a Living?

Sandi worked as an English teacher.

She also reportedly worked as a florist.

The supplied information does not identify the school where she taught or the flower business where she worked.

How Did Sandi Graham Meet Dennis Graham?

Sandi met Dennis Graham in Toronto during the early 1980s.

Dennis was performing at a nightclub when they met. Sources connect their meeting with Club Bluenote.

Dennis later explained that he was looking for cigarettes at the bar when Sandi offered him one of hers.

That interaction reportedly led to their relationship.

One secondary source says Sandi was working as a bartender when they met, although this detail is not consistent across all supplied accounts.

Who Is Dennis Graham?

Dennis Graham is an American musician from Memphis, Tennessee.

He worked as a drummer and was associated with musician Jerry Lee Lewis.

Dennis also performed with the North Memphis Band and later recorded music as a singer.

His songs include Kinda Crazy, That on That, and Father and Son.

When Did Sandi and Dennis Graham Get Married?

Sandi and Dennis married in:

June 1985

Dennis reportedly moved to Toronto after meeting Sandi.

Their only child together was born the following year.

Sandi Graham’s Son Drake

Sandi and Dennis welcomed Aubrey Drake Graham on:

October 24, 1986

Drake was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

He is Sandi’s only known child.

Why Was Drake Named Aubrey Drake Graham?

According to Dennis, Sandi’s mother wanted her grandson to be named Abraham because of the family’s Jewish background.

Dennis did not want that name, and the parents chose Aubrey instead.

Dennis selected Drake as his son’s middle name.

He had previously used Drake Madison as a stage name.

Aubrey later became professionally known simply as Drake.

When Did Sandi and Dennis Graham Divorce?

Sandi and Dennis separated and divorced around 1991.

Drake was about five years old at the time.

According to one source, Sandi had full custody of Drake by 1991.

Dennis returned to the United States, while Sandi and Drake remained in Toronto.

Did Sandi Graham Remarry?

No later marriage has been publicly confirmed for Sandi Graham.

Secondary sources describe her as remaining single after her marriage to Dennis ended.

She did not have any other publicly known children.

Sandi Graham Raised Drake in Toronto

Drake was raised primarily by Sandi after his parents separated.

The family experienced financial difficulties during parts of his childhood.

Drake has publicly described periods when he and his mother had little money and lived in modest housing.

Where Did Sandi and Drake Live?

One source says Sandi and Drake lived in different places around the Weston Road area of Toronto.

They later moved to Forest Hill, a Toronto neighborhood with a large Jewish community.

Drake has explained that they lived in part of a divided house.

Sandi lived on the first floor, while Drake lived in the basement. Another family occupied another part of the property.

Sandi Graham’s Reported Health Problems

One secondary source reports that Sandi experienced osteoporosis and joint problems linked with rheumatoid arthritis.

The source says these health issues affected her during Drake’s childhood and required medication.

These medical details come from secondary reporting and have not been independently confirmed in the supplied information.

How Sandi Supported Drake as a Child

Sandi supported Drake’s creative interests while raising him.

One secondary source says she arranged dance lessons for him.

It also reports that he took part in childhood productions of Les Misérables and The Wizard of Oz.

Specific details about his roles in those productions are not provided.

Drake’s Jewish Upbringing

Sandi raised Drake with Jewish traditions.

He attended a Jewish day school, learned about Judaism, and had a bar mitzvah.

His Jewish heritage comes through his mother’s family.

Drake’s School Years

Drake attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute and later Vaughan Road Academy.

A secondary source says he faced bullying connected with his racial and religious background.

He eventually left high school before completing his studies.

Drake later earned his high school diploma in October 2012.

How Drake Started Acting

Drake began acting professionally when he was around 15 years old.

The father of one of his school friends reportedly helped connect him with an acting agent.

Drake was then cast in the Canadian teen series Degrassi: The Next Generation.

His acting income helped him and Sandi during a period when their finances were limited.

Who Is Drake?

Aubrey Drake Graham, known professionally as Drake, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur.

He first became widely known through Degrassi: The Next Generation before building an international music career.

He has won major music awards, including Grammy Awards.

At the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, he received the Artist of the Decade Award.

Sandi Graham’s Influence on Drake

Drake has repeatedly credited his mother with helping raise and support him.

He has spoken about learning patience and unconditional love from her.

His childhood with Sandi also became a recurring subject in his music.

Drake’s Songs About His Mother

Sandi has been mentioned or discussed in several Drake songs.

These include:

• The Calm
• You & The 6
• Look What You’ve Done
• God’s Plan

Other secondary sources also connect her with songs such as Successful, Closer to My Dreams, and Too Much.

Sandi Graham in You & The 6

Drake’s 2015 song You & The 6 deals directly with his relationship with his mother.

He discusses his upbringing, fame, his parents’ relationship, and Sandi raising him.

The “6” refers to his hometown of Toronto.

Sandi Graham in Look What You’ve Done

Look What You’ve Done also includes memories of Drake’s family life.

The song discusses his relationship with his mother and his feelings about his father’s absence.

Sandi later joined Drake onstage while he performed the song.

Drake and His Father’s Different Views of His Childhood

Drake has spoken about feeling disappointed by his father’s absence during parts of his childhood.

Dennis has disputed the idea that he was an absentee father.

Dennis has said his relationship with Drake was better than some of Drake’s songs suggested.

Drake has rejected claims that he invented or exaggerated his childhood experiences for his music.

Their different accounts should therefore be kept separate.

What Drake Has Said About His Parents’ Divorce

Drake has said he was critical of how his parents handled co-parenting after their marriage ended.

He felt they could have communicated better and been less divided.

His childhood experiences later influenced the way he approached parenting his own son.

Drake’s Tattoos for Sandi Graham

Drake has honored Sandi with tattoos.

He reportedly has an image of his mother tattooed on his back.

In August 2022, he added the initials:

SG

beneath his eye.

The initials have been reported as standing for Sandra Gale.

Drake’s Love You Forever Gift to Sandi

In 2022, Drake gave Sandi a custom pair of Nike Air Force 1 sneakers.

The shoes featured the words Love You Forever.

The words reference Robert Munsch’s children’s book Love You Forever, which Drake described as a favorite book shared by him and his mother.

Sandi Graham at Drake’s Concerts

Sandi has attended several of Drake’s performances.

In July 2023, she joined him onstage at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Drake performed Look What You’ve Done while his mother was on stage.

In 2024, Drake also shared a message in which Sandi reportedly said she often cries at his concerts because she is proud of him.

Sandi Graham’s Other Public Appearances

Sandi attended the 2011 Juno Awards with Drake at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

She also appeared with Drake, Dennis Graham, and her grandson Adonis at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.

Drake received the Artist of the Decade Award at that event.

Sandi Graham and Dennis Graham Today

Sandi and Dennis had difficulties following their divorce, but later public interactions suggest their relationship became friendlier.

In January 2023, Dennis publicly wished Sandi a happy birthday.

He called her Pinky, which appears to be a personal family nickname.

The post also described it as her 75th birthday, supporting reports that she was born in 1948.

Sandi Graham’s Grandson Adonis

Sandi is the grandmother of Adonis Graham.

Adonis is Drake’s son with French artist Sophie Brussaux.

He was born on:

October 11, 2017

Sandi has appeared publicly with her grandson, including at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.

How Drake’s Childhood Influenced His Fatherhood

Drake has said that his experiences with his own parents influenced the way he approaches fatherhood.

He has specifically credited Sandi with teaching him patience and unconditional love.

He has also spoken about wanting to maintain a respectful co-parenting relationship with Sophie Brussaux for Adonis.

Sandi Graham’s Social Media

Sandi does not appear to maintain a major public social media presence.

She is often seen through posts shared by Drake or other family members.

No major verified public Instagram, X, or other social media account belonging to Sandi was identified in the supplied information.

Where Is Sandi Graham Now?

Sandi has remained closely connected with Toronto.

An older secondary source reports that she continued to have a home there.

She occasionally appears with Drake at concerts, award ceremonies, and family events, but generally maintains a private life.

Sandi Graham’s Net Worth

Sandi Graham’s personal net worth is not reliably known.

One secondary source estimates her wealth at between $1 million and $5 million, but there is no verified financial information supporting this figure.

Drake’s personal wealth should not be treated as Sandi’s net worth.

Facts About Sandi Graham

• Her common name is Sandi Graham.
• Her maiden surname is Sher.
• Her birthday is January 28.
• The better-supported birth year is 1948, although one source reports 1960.
• If the 1948 date is correct, she is 78 years old in 2026.
• She is Canadian.
• Toronto, Ontario is her reported birthplace.
• She was raised in a Jewish family.
• She is described as having Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.
• Reuben “Ruby” Sher and Evelyn Etta Brontman are reported as her parents.
• She worked as an English teacher.
• She also reportedly worked as a florist.
• She met Dennis Graham at a Toronto nightclub.
• Sandi and Dennis married in June 1985.
• Drake was born on October 24, 1986.
• Sandi and Dennis divorced around 1991.
• Sandi primarily raised Drake in Toronto.
• Drake is her only known child.
• She raised Drake with Jewish traditions.
• Drake has referenced her in several songs.
• Drake has tattoos honoring his mother.
• He gave her custom Love You Forever Nike Air Force 1 shoes in 2022.
• Sandi joined Drake onstage at Madison Square Garden in 2023.
• Her grandson is Adonis Graham.
• She generally keeps her personal life private.
• Her personal net worth has not been reliably confirmed.

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