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Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Cause of Death: The Untold Mystery of Ray Charles’ Son

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22 July 2025

Charles Wayne Hendricks' Cause of Death: The Untold Mystery of Ray Charles' Son

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be the child of a music legend? Most of us know Ray Charles, the man who gave the world classics like Hit the Road Jack and Georgia on My Mind. But very few people know about his son, Charles Wayne Hendricks. His life was filled with quiet moments, family struggles, and a mystery that still puzzles people today — Charles Wayne Hendricks’ cause of death has never been confirmed.

In this article, we’ll look closely at who Charles Wayne Hendricks was, his family background, his early life, and the heartbreaking events that shaped his story. Let’s take a closer look at his life journey and why his name still comes up whenever people talk about Ray Charles’ family.

Charles Wayne Hendricks Quick Bio


Full Name	Charles Wayne Hendricks
Date of Birth	October 1, 1959
Place of Birth	New York City, USA
Date of Death	2013
Age at Death	54 years
Father	Ray Charles
Mother	Margie Hendrix
Siblings	11 half-siblings
Spouse	Marlene Hendricks (reported)
Children	Several (not public)
Nationality	American
Cause of Death	Unknown

Who Was Charles Wayne Hendricks?

Charles Wayne Hendricks was born on October 1, 1959, in New York City. He was the only child of legendary musician Ray Charles and Margie Hendrix, one of the founding singers of Ray’s famous backup group, the Raelettes.

Unlike his father, who lived in the spotlight, Charles lived a quiet and private life. He avoided fame, interviews, and big public events. Even though he was the son of one of the world’s most famous musicians, Charles chose a path that kept him away from cameras and media attention.

Doesn’t that make you wonder? Most people would expect the child of a star like Ray Charles to follow in his father’s footsteps. But Charles never tried to become a singer, performer, or public figure. Instead, he preferred a life where almost no one knew much about him.

The Complicated Love Story of His Parents

To understand Charles’ story, we have to talk about his parents. Ray Charles was married to Della Beatrice Howard Robinson when he met Margie Hendrix in the late 1950s. Margie was not only talented but also had a fiery personality and a strong voice that made her one of the standout members of the Raelettes.

Ray and Margie’s relationship was not simple. They fell in love, but Ray never left his wife for Margie. Still, their romance continued, and in 1959, Margie gave birth to Charles Wayne Hendricks. Margie reportedly wanted Ray to live with her and raise their son together, but that never happened.

This complicated situation meant that Charles grew up mostly with his mother, while his father was busy traveling the world, making music, and performing. Even though Ray supported him financially, he wasn’t always present as a father.

Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Childhood

Growing up as the son of Ray Charles sounds glamorous, but for Charles, it wasn’t easy. His father was rarely home because of tours and recording sessions. His mother, Margie, was the main figure in his life.

However, Margie’s life was far from stable. After leaving the Raelettes, her music career began to fade, and she struggled with alcohol and drug use. These struggles affected her relationship with Ray and, sadly, her relationship with her son.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for young Charles? To have a world-famous father who wasn’t around and a mother who was fighting her own battles? Despite this, Charles grew up with the promise that his father would always support him financially and try to help him in any way possible.

The Tragic Loss of His Mother

One of the most heartbreaking events in Charles’ life was losing his mother, Margie Hendrix, at a young age. Margie died on July 14, 1973, when she was only 38 years old. At that time, Charles was just 14.

The cause of Margie’s death has never been fully confirmed. Some reports claim she died from drug overuse, while others believe it may have been due to health problems connected to her lifestyle. What is clear is that her death left Charles without the person he had spent most of his life with.

Losing a parent at such a young age can change someone forever. After Margie’s death, Charles became even more private. He didn’t appear much in public, and little is known about who raised him after that. This loss may be one reason why he stayed away from fame and the public spotlight for the rest of his life.

His Big and Complicated Family

Did you know that Ray Charles had 12 children with 10 different women? This means Charles Wayne Hendricks had 11 half-siblings, each with their own unique connection to their famous father. Some of his siblings, like Ray Charles Robinson Jr., became well-known for managing Ray’s legacy and even working on the 2004 film Ray.

Charles, however, stayed far from the drama. While some of his siblings fought over Ray Charles’ estate and music rights, Charles rarely appeared in the media. He wasn’t interested in fame or attention — he simply wanted to live his life quietly.

Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Cause of Death

This is one of the biggest mysteries about Charles. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 54, but Charles Wayne Hendricks’ cause of death has never been shared publicly. His family has remained silent about the details, and no official autopsy or public report was released.

This silence has made people even more curious about his life. Why didn’t anyone talk about what happened? Was there something tragic or unexpected? We may never know. What we do know is that Charles lived his entire life away from fame, and even in death, his family respected his wish for privacy.

Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Personal Life

Charles Wayne Hendricks lived his life quietly. Unlike many celebrity kids, he did not want to be in the news or talk about his famous father. Reports say that Charles was married to a woman named Marlene Hendricks from Aurora, Colorado. They are believed to have had children together, but their names and details have never been shared with the public.

Why was he so private? It seems Charles wanted a normal life, far from cameras and interviews. Being the son of a music icon like Ray Charles might sound exciting, but it also comes with pressure and constant attention. Charles simply chose peace over fame.

The Famous Lawsuit Over Ray Charles’ Music

When Ray Charles passed away in 2004, he left most of his wealth and music rights to the Ray Charles Foundation. However, his children, including Charles Wayne Hendricks, wanted to make sure they also had rights to their father’s songs.

In 2013, Charles and his half-siblings won a legal battle that stopped the termination of Ray’s song rights. Each child, as promised by Ray, received a trust fund worth $500,000. This was one of the rare moments when Charles’ name appeared in public news. Even then, he did not give interviews or seek attention.

Why Was He Missing from the Movie “Ray”?

The 2004 movie Ray was a big hit and showed the life story of Ray Charles. Actress Regina King played the role of Margie Hendrix, Charles’ mother. But many fans noticed that Charles Wayne Hendricks himself was never mentioned or shown in the film.

Was this by choice? Most likely. Reports suggest that Charles either did not want to be part of the movie or simply refused to share personal details about his life. This matches his personality — he valued his privacy more than fame or recognition.

Charles Wayne Hendricks’ Legacy

Even though Charles did not become a singer like his father, he will always be remembered as a part of Ray Charles’ story. He may not have made music, but his life reflects the personal side of a man who gave the world unforgettable songs.

Charles Wayne Hendricks’ cause of death still remains a mystery, but what we know for sure is that he lived life on his own terms. He stayed true to himself, avoided the public spotlight, and cared for his family in his own quiet way.

Final Thoughts

Charles Wayne Hendricks’ life shows that fame is not for everyone. While his father’s name will live on forever in the history of music, Charles chose a path of privacy and peace. His story, though filled with mystery, is also a reminder that even the children of legends have their own struggles, choices, and unique paths.

Even in 2025, fans still ask questions about Charles Wayne Hendricks’ cause of death. But maybe his story is not about how he died, but how he lived — quietly, privately, and with dignity.