Ernestine Campbell

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<p>Ernestine Harvin is best known as the former wife of rock and roll pioneer <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a>.</p>

<h2>Early Life and Background</h2>

<p>Ernestine Harvin was born on October 12, 1905. Little is publicly documented about her early life prior to her marriage to the legendary musician.</p>

<h2>Marriage to <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a></h2>

<p>Ernestine met <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a> at an evangelical rally in 1957. The couple married in 1959 and initially settled in the Lafayette Square neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Their home later became notable for the celebrity gatherings they hosted, drawing guests such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown">James Brown</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Wilson">Jackie Wilson</a>, <a href="/biography/etta-james">Etta James</a>, and The Coasters. The couple held their wedding ceremony at this residence.</p>

<p>During their marriage, they adopted a <a href="/biography/danny-jones">son</a>, <a href="/biography/danny-jones">Danny Jones</a>, when he was one year old. <a href="/biography/danny-jones">Danny</a>, whose biological parents are not publicly known, was the son of an associate from their church. Ernestine became his primary caregiver, and <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a> remained close to <a href="/biography/danny-jones">Danny</a> until his passing. In adulthood, <a href="/biography/danny-jones">Danny</a> pursued a career as a rapper and occasionally worked as <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a>’s bodyguard.</p>

<p>Despite initial happiness, the marriage deteriorated, leading to divorce in 1964. In public remarks, <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a> cited his own shortcomings—including neglect and an unhealthy sex addiction—as key reasons for the breakdown. He later reflected on the difficulties of reconciling his personal life with fame and his complex feelings about his sexual orientation, which he discussed openly in his 1984 biography, <i>The Life and Times of <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a></i>.</p>

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<h2>Life After Divorce</h2>

<p>Following her divorce from <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a>, Ernestine Harvin chose to live a quiet and private life, away from public media. On March 23, 1975, she remarried McDonald Campbell in Santa Barbara, California. Details about her life with Campbell remain largely private, consistent with her preference for personal privacy in later years.</p>

<h2>Career</h2>

<p>Professionally, Ernestine Harvin worked as a secretary in Washington, D.C. While not widely documented, her career is noted as a steady part of her life prior to her marriage to <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a>.</p>

<h2>Legacy and Death</h2>

<p>Ernestine passed away on July 29, 2000, at the age of 94. She is remembered primarily for her association with <a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a> during a pivotal moment in music history, as well as for being a caring mother to their adopted son, <a href="/biography/danny-jones">Danny Jones</a>.</p>

<p><a href="/biography/little-richard">Little Richard</a>, whose real name was <a href="/biography/little-richard">Richard Wayne Penniman</a>, passed away years later at the age of 87. He remains a seminal figure in the evolution of rock and roll, whose dynamic piano style, vocal flair, and energetic performances influenced generations of musicians across genres—from soul and funk to rock and hip-hop.</p>

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