For over seven decades, Gladys Knight has reigned as one of music’s most enduring and beloved voices — a living legend whose soulful anthems defined generations. With seven Grammy Awards, millions of records sold, and a career that carried her from Motown to sold-out world tours, she has long been celebrated as the Empress of Soul.

But now, behind the glitter and legacy, her family says a disturbing reality is unfolding — one they claim could threaten her health, her dignity, and even her life.

Her youngest son, Shanga Hankerson, is sounding the alarm, accusing his mother’s husband of nearly 25 years, William McDow, of elder abuse. In a shocking move, Hankerson has filed a formal complaint with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that McDow is forcing Knight to perform and endure long hours on tour despite a decline in her cognitive health.

And he isn’t pulling punches.

“I don’t want my mom out on tour on a tour bus wondering where she’s at,” Hankerson told The Shade Room Investigates. “That’s my mom. I love her, and I don’t care about her ever working a second longer while she’s alive.”

The Private Plea

Hankerson recalls a conversation with his mother years ago — one that haunts him now.

“She told me, ‘If I’m not ever able to do this anymore, you have to be the one to stop it,’” he said.

To Hankerson, those words have become a mission. And in recent months, he says, warning signs have multiplied.

Reports and viral clips circulating on social media have shown Knight forgetting lyrics, pausing for long stretches, and struggling on stage. According to Hankerson, her longtime road manager, Larry Ward, privately confided to him through tears that touring had become “so hard” — harder than he had ever seen in decades of working with the star.

The Night in Baltimore

Perhaps the most chilling incident came during a tour stop in Baltimore. Hankerson says his sister Kenya called him in a panic. Knight had reportedly wandered away from her hotel in the middle of the night, ending up at a different hotel across town.

A staff member recognized the music icon but was alarmed when she could not answer basic questions — not where she was, not why she was there, not even if she was staying at the hotel. That employee eventually reached Kenya, who contacted Ward to retrieve Knight.

“My mom could not answer any of her questions,” Hankerson said. “She was disoriented. That’s not touring fatigue. That’s something deeper.”

A Diagnosis — and a Dispute

Hankerson claims that McDow later acknowledged via text message that Knight has Sundowner Syndrome — a condition in which confusion and memory problems worsen in the evening.

Yet, he alleges, rather than protect her, McDow has continued to send her on grueling tours alongside legends like Chaka Khan, Stephanie Mills, and Patti LaBelle. Hankerson insists this is not about money or career — it’s about control.

According to him, McDow has systematically limited the family’s access to Knight, ensuring that conversations are never private and decisions flow solely through him.

“He manipulates situations to make her think she needs to work,” Hankerson said. “If she’s working, he doesn’t have to be with her all the time. It’s not in her best interest.”

Family History and Fractures

The Hankerson family’s relationship with Knight’s husband has long been rocky. Years ago, Hankerson himself made headlines after being convicted for failing to pay more than $1 million in payroll taxes from his Atlanta restaurant chain, Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles. Knight later sued to have her name removed from the business — a move Hankerson claims was orchestrated by McDow.

Despite the lawsuit, Hankerson says his relationship with his mother remained intact, albeit increasingly strained by what he describes as her “low awareness” of the legal and personal battles surrounding her.

The DHS Complaint

On July 23rd, Hankerson drove from Atlanta to Asheville, North Carolina — Knight’s home — to file a formal elder abuse complaint with Buncombe County’s Department of Health and Human Services.

The agency, citing privacy laws, declined to confirm or deny any investigation. But Hankerson says he had no choice.

“The direction she’s going in is pushing her toward a departure,” he warned. “I don’t want to see that happen.”

The Husband Responds — Via Text

While McDow has not issued a formal public statement, Hankerson shared text messages he says are from him. In them, McDow expressed frustration over the DHS complaint:

“What in God’s name would possess you to do such an evil thing… She’s happy and loved… Just let these years be in peace… Sending cops and social services will endanger what she’s trying to maintain.”

McDow’s tone suggests he sees the intervention as harmful — an unnecessary intrusion into what he frames as a peaceful life for Knight.

Sabotage or Salvation?

Hankerson doesn’t shy away from the fact that his actions could derail his mother’s current tour.

“Am I sabotaging it? Absolutely. I am sabotaging it,” he admitted. “Because I don’t want my mom out on tour wondering where she’s at.”

He insists the stakes are too high to remain silent.

“This is about her safety, her health, and her dignity. I would rather her never step on stage again than risk losing her sooner.”

Industry Shockwaves

The allegations have sent ripples through the music community. Fans are grappling with the possibility that the woman whose voice has been a soundtrack to their lives could be struggling in ways hidden from the spotlight.

Industry insiders are now openly questioning the role of artist management, spousal influence, and the moral obligations owed to aging performers whose health may be in decline.

Unanswered Questions

As of press time, William McDow has not responded to multiple calls and text messages seeking comment. The status of any DHS investigation remains unknown.

For now, the public sees only the performances — the sequins, the applause, the standing ovations. Behind the curtain, a family battle rages over who controls the Queen of Soul’s final years.

Whether this ends in reconciliation, legal intervention, or an even deeper rift remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: this is no longer just a story about music. It’s a story about power, love, and the fight to protect a legend before it’s too late.