Patti LaBelle is an icon, whether you know her for her music or her “Patti Pies.”
The fiery soprano rose to fame thanks to her musical stylings with LaBelle (formerly known as Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles), but she initially made news when one of her original bandmembers, Cindy Birdsong, left to join Diana Ross and the Supremes. LaBelle didn’t break through to the mainstream until 1975, when she released the original “Lady Marmalade” and appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone.
She has diversified her business portfolio as a famous R&B diva today. In addition to a productive acting career that took her from Broadway (in “Fela!”) to primetime (thanks to her role in “Empire”), LaBelle gained a whole new fan base — and became an LGBTQIA+ icon — when social media personality James Wright Chanel recorded a video singing the praises of her “Patti Pies” in 2015. The video went viral, and stores from Walmart to Omaha Steaks began stocking the legend’s warmed-up pies.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, “Patti LaBelle can cook,” and this only contributed to her $60 million net worth (an estimation).
Fortunately, Ms. Patti has been generous with her fortune, ensuring that her five children — one biological, four adopted — have been well-cared for.
Zuri Kye Edwards, her only biological kid, having been born to her and her ex-husband, Armstead Edwards is now her personal and business manager, and the two have a very close and affectionate relationship. Zuri is also the father of Patti’s gorgeous little granddaughter, Gia, who has her own Instagram account where she posts about her latest fashion activities.
Patti LaBelle’s adopted son, Dodd Stocker-Edwards, was born during her first marriage to her first husband. Pump Dog, a luxury boutique gym wear company based in New Jersey, is owned by Dodd Stocker-Edwards.
Patti LaBelle has an adoptive son, Stanley Stocker-Edwards, whom she adopted while still married to her first husband.
While they were both Harvard Law students, Michelle Obama (then Michelle LaVaughn Robinson) dated Stanley Stocker-Edwards. Mrs. Obama, on the other hand, admitted that “nothing stayed” for her and that “no man could handle her” until Barack Obama came along.
Regardless, there are no ill feelings between the First Lady and Stocker-Edwards, who now works as an attorney in Washington, D.C. for Covington and Burling LLP.
Stayce Holte, Patti LaBelle’s niece and adopted daughter, is a mystery. She does, however, offer life advice on her Twitter profile on a regular basis.
Patti LaBelle adopted her nephew, William Holte, after her sister, Jacqueline — William’s mother — died of cancer. Though William was involved in some Twitter drama in December 2020, forcing his aunt to defend him, his LinkedIn profile shows that he works as a personal assistant for Pattonium, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based alcohol company.
