For years, fans have speculated about what really happened behind closed doors in the life of Barry White—one of soul music’s most beloved voices. Now, at 78, his widow Glodean White is finally revealing the heartbreaking truth that so many feared was hidden beneath the surface.

Barry White was more than a singer—he was a cultural icon. Known for his deep baritone voice, sensual lyrics, and timeless love ballads like “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” and “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything,” he defined romance for an entire generation.

But as the world celebrated his music, few knew the true pain he endured in his personal life—and the emotional toll it took on his closest companion: his wife, Glodean White.

After decades of silence, Glodean is speaking out in a deeply emotional interview, revealing the raw truth about her late husband’s final years and the devastating struggles he faced.

Her revelations paint a much more complex portrait of the legendary artist—one filled with fame, heartache, sacrifice, and an enduring love that never died.

Glodean and Barry were married in 1974, during the height of his career. As a member of the singing group Love Unlimited, she knew the industry well—but nothing prepared her for life with a man as celebrated and burdened as Barry White.

“Barry had the voice of an angel, but he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders,” Glodean confessed. “He gave so much to the world, but it cost him his health, his peace, and in many ways, his happiness.”

Behind the scenes, Barry’s health was a constant battle. Struggling with high blood pressure for most of his adult life, his condition worsened in the 1990s, eventually leading to kidney failure.

Though he tried to continue performing, the toll became too great. By the early 2000s, he was hospitalized and placed on dialysis, awaiting a kidney transplant that never came.

Glodean revealed that Barry often kept his pain private, never wanting to show weakness. “He didn’t want people to worry. He wanted to be strong for his fans, for his family, for me,” she said. “But behind closed doors, he was in agony. He would smile on stage, then collapse in pain afterward.”

Perhaps the most painful admission was that Barry, despite all his success, felt unfulfilled in his final years. Glodean shared that he struggled with regret—about lost time with his children, missed opportunities for self-care, and unresolved issues with people he once considered friends.

“Barry had a big heart, and sometimes people took advantage of that. He was generous to a fault. But when the spotlight faded, a lot of those people disappeared.”

Financial pressures also added strain to the family in his final years. Though Barry White sold millions of records, Glodean confirmed that poor financial management and trust in the wrong people led to money problems.

“It’s something people don’t want to talk about, but it’s real,” she said. “Even legends can be misled. We trusted people who didn’t have our best interests at heart.”

Barry passed away in July 2003 at the age of 58. His death shocked the music world and devastated those who loved him. For Glodean, the loss was earth-shattering. “Barry was my soulmate,” she said softly.

“We weren’t perfect. We had our ups and downs, just like any couple. But our love was real. And when he died, a part of me died too.”

Despite years of separation before his passing, Glodean insists that their bond never truly ended. “We were apart physically, but emotionally, spiritually—we were still connected. We always had love.”

Now, more than two decades after his death, Glodean has made peace with the past and feels ready to share their story.

She’s currently working on a memoir that will detail their life together—the highs, the lows, and the moments no one ever saw. “I want people to know the man behind the music. Not just the icon, but the husband, the father, the human being.”

She also hopes to use her platform to raise awareness about health issues that affected Barry, especially hypertension and kidney disease, which disproportionately impact the Black community. “If Barry’s story can save even one life, then it’s worth telling,” she emphasized.

In recent years, Glodean has found comfort in reconnecting with Barry’s fans, many of whom still listen to his music daily. She receives letters, emails, and messages from people around the world who were touched by his songs. “That’s his legacy,” she said with a smile. “Love. Pure, honest love.”

Despite the sorrow she carries, Glodean remains proud of the life they shared. “Barry gave the world his voice, but he gave me his heart. I’ll carry that with me forever.”

As she closes this chapter with strength and grace, Glodean White reminds us that behind every legend is a story of struggle, love, and resilience. And though Barry White may be gone, his voice—and his truth—still echo through the hearts of those who truly listened.

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