Ernestine Harvin is best known as the former wife of rock and roll pioneer Little Richard.
Ernestine Harvin was born on October 12, 1905. Little is publicly documented about her early life prior to her marriage to the legendary musician.
Ernestine met Little Richard 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 James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Etta James, and The Coasters. The couple held their wedding ceremony at this residence.
During their marriage, they adopted a son, Danny Jones, when he was one year old. Danny, whose biological parents are not publicly known, was the son of an associate from their church. Ernestine became his primary caregiver, and Little Richard remained close to Danny until his passing. In adulthood, Danny pursued a career as a rapper and occasionally worked as Little Richard’s bodyguard.
Despite initial happiness, the marriage deteriorated, leading to divorce in 1964. In public remarks, Little Richard 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, The Life and Times of Little Richard.
| Net Worth 2021: | 40 million |
