Ernestine Campbell: The Untold Story of Little Richard’s Ex-Wife

Not many people know about Ernestine Campbell, but she was once married to one of the biggest names in rock and roll history — Little Richard. While Richard was performing on big stages and changing music forever, Ernestine lived a much quieter life. She wasn’t chasing fame. In fact, she wanted the opposite — peace and privacy.

In today’s article, we’ll explore who Ernestine Campbell really was. We’ll look at her early life, how she met Little Richard, their marriage, and what happened after they went their separate ways. This is the untold story of a woman who chose a quiet path, even while standing next to one of the loudest stars in music.

Ernestine Campbell Quick Bio

Early Life of Ernestine Campbell

Ernestine Campbell, also known as Ernestine Harvin, was born on October 31, 1935, in Washington, D.C., United States. She was raised in a Christian home and came from an African-American family. Her family background is not widely known because she kept most of her personal life private.

We do know that she worked as a secretary. She even served in the Navy Department, which shows that she was hardworking and serious about her career. Ernestine wasn’t famous on her own, but her life became public after marrying Little Richard — a man who was completely the opposite of her in terms of personality and fame.

How Ernestine Campbell Met Little Richard

Their love story began in a very peaceful place — an evangelical rally in October 1957. At the time, Little Richard had taken a break from music to focus on religion. That’s where he and Ernestine met. They were both drawn to faith, and that shared belief helped them connect deeply.

Imagine a shy, private woman meeting a wild and colorful rock star. On the surface, they seemed like total opposites. But something clicked between them. Ernestine saw a different side of Richard — not the loud performer, but the man who wanted to live a life of faith and meaning. That connection led to something special.

The Wedding of Ernestine and Little Richard

After about two years of knowing each other, Ernestine Campbell and Little Richard got married on July 12, 1959, in Santa Barbara, California. It was a big step for both of them. At that time, Richard was still stepping away from the music scene, and their marriage felt like a fresh start.

Their wedding wasn’t a huge celebrity event. It was private and calm, just the way Ernestine liked things. For a while, they were happy. They shared a home and a life together. But being married to a world-famous star isn’t always easy — especially when one person loves the spotlight, and the other wants to stay far away from it.

Life as Little Richard’s Wife

Being Little Richard’s wife was not a simple job. Richard was already becoming one of the biggest names in music history. Fans loved him, cameras followed him, and people talked about him everywhere. But Ernestine didn’t enjoy all the noise and attention.

She liked peace, faith, and a calm life. But being married to a superstar meant having very little privacy. Even though Richard wasn’t performing much during the early years of their marriage, his fame still followed them. This made things hard for Ernestine. She didn’t want to live a celebrity life.

At the same time, Richard was going through his own struggles. He was trying to figure out who he really was — as a man, as a believer, and as a performer. It put a lot of stress on their relationship.

Why Ernestine Campbell and Little Richard Divorced

After five years of marriage, Ernestine and Richard divorced in 1964. It wasn’t a messy or angry breakup. In fact, both of them had honest reasons for why things didn’t work out.

Ernestine said she struggled with Richard’s celebrity lifestyle. She didn’t enjoy the fame or the pressure. She wanted a quiet home and normal days — but that was hard to have with a husband who was always in the public eye.

Little Richard later shared that his sexuality and personal confusion played a part in the divorce. He admitted he had neglected Ernestine and couldn’t give her the love and attention she deserved. He once said, “I was gay all of my life… but God gave me the victory.” He spoke openly about how his faith helped him through those struggles later in life.

Even after their divorce, Richard always spoke about Ernestine with kindness and respect. He knew she had been good to him, even when things were hard.

Ernestine Campbell After the Divorce

After the divorce, Ernestine disappeared from the spotlight. She didn’t talk to the media, didn’t appear on TV, and never wrote a book. She simply went back to living a quiet and peaceful life — just like she had always wanted.

She focused on her own happiness. While Little Richard went back to performing and being a public figure, Ernestine stayed out of the noise. She didn’t seek fame. In fact, she avoided it. She lived with dignity, privacy, and strength.

Many people didn’t even know Little Richard had ever been married. That’s how quietly Ernestine chose to live her life.

Did Ernestine Campbell and Little Richard Have Children?

Many people wonder if Ernestine Campbell and Little Richard ever had kids together. The answer is no — they did not have any biological children during their five-year marriage.

However, years after their divorce, Little Richard adopted a boy named Danny Jones Penniman. In 1984, Danny’s mother, Creola Jones, asked Little Richard to take care of him after his father passed away. Richard said yes and took Danny in as his own son.

Danny was 14 years old when he was adopted. He lived with Little Richard and even became a big part of his life. Danny often joined him on music tours and acted as his bodyguard. He also helped his father behind the scenes and stayed close to him until the end.

Ernestine Campbell’s Second Marriage

After her marriage with Little Richard ended, Ernestine found love again. On March 23, 1975, she married a man named McDonald Campbell in Santa Barbara, California.

This time, she made sure her private life stayed private. She and McDonald never spoke to the media or shared any public photos. They lived quietly, away from fame and attention.

Even though there’s not much known about McDonald Campbell, it’s clear that Ernestine wanted peace and normalcy. Her second marriage stayed out of the spotlight — just the way she preferred.

Is Ernestine Campbell Still Alive?

Sadly, Ernestine Campbell passed away on May 9, 2010, at the age of 74. She lived a quiet life until the end. There are no public details about her cause of death or where she was buried.

She passed away exactly ten years before Little Richard, who died in 2020. Some fans find that timing very emotional — two people who once shared a deep connection, both leaving the world on the same day, just a decade apart.

There is no official obituary or public farewell for Ernestine. That’s how private her life really was.

Little Richard’s Reflections on Ernestine Campbell

Even after their divorce, Little Richard never said anything bad about Ernestine. In fact, he always spoke kindly of her. He called her a good woman and admitted that he didn’t treat her as well as he should have.

Richard also talked about his struggles with identity and faith. He once said he was “gay all his life”, but that God gave him the victory and changed his heart. In later years, he turned back to religion and said he no longer lived a gay lifestyle.

His deep faith and reflections on life often came up in interviews. But no matter what, he always showed respect for Ernestine and the time they spent together.

Ernestine Campbell’s Net Worth and Career

Before and after her marriage, Ernestine worked as a secretary. She even served in the Navy Department in Washington, D.C. This shows that she was serious about her work and kept a steady job.

She never used Little Richard’s fame to get attention or money. She lived simply and earned her way.

At the time of her death, her net worth was estimated between $100,000 and $1 million, based on public sources. This came mostly from her own work, not from being married to a rock star.

Final Thoughts

Ernestine Campbell was the kind of woman who didn’t need fame to feel important. While Little Richard sang on stage and made history, she stayed behind the scenes — living simply, loving quietly, and walking away from the spotlight.

She may be remembered as Little Richard’s ex-wife, but her story is more than that. She showed us that you don’t have to be loud to be strong, and you don’t have to be famous to live a life of dignity.

In a world full of noise, Ernestine Campbell chose peace — and that’s something truly special.