Al Green, the legendary soul singer and record producer, became a household name in the early 1970s with timeless hits like Tired of Being Alone, Take Me to the River, and his cult hit song, Let’s Stay Together. While his music exuded love and devotion, his personal life told a different story.
His marriage to his ex-wife Shirley Green was anything but smooth. Despite welcoming three children together, their relationship was filled with struggles, making parenthood one of the few constants they shared.
Here’s what we know about Al Green’s marriage, children, and family life.
Al Green and Shirley Green Got Married in 1977
Green married Shirley Green (née Kyles) on June 15, 1977, in Memphis. Their love story had an unconventional beginning—Shirley, a singer from Chicago, had performed as an opening act at some of Green’s concerts but always left before his set, as she disapproved of certain songs he performed.
Their paths finally crossed in 1976 at a Baptist church in Memphis, where Al took an interest in her. A preacher’s daughter, Shirley was deeply rooted in faith, which resonated with Green as he was transitioning into gospel music. At his request, she joined his backing vocalists and became involved in his church, Full Gospel Tabernacle. Their shared devotion to faith and music brought them closer, eventually leading to marriage.
View this post on Instagram
The wedding itself was modest and lasted just ten minutes. Dressed in a simple white cotton dress, Shirley exchanged vows with Green in a preacher’s living room in the South—an intimate ceremony.
Al Green’s Seven Children
Green was also a father to seven children. With his ex-wife Shirley Green, he welcomed three daughters: Alva, Rubi, and Kora.
Shortly after getting married, Shirley became pregnant with their first child. However, at just eight weeks, she suffered a miscarriage. Heartbroken, she left Memphis and returned to Chicago, where she leaned on her sister for support.
Beyond his children with Shirley, Green also has three sons, Chris Burse Sr., Al Jr., and Trevor, and, another daughter, Kala.
A Troubled Marriage and Divorce
Al Green and Shirley Green’s relationship was marked by frequent separations, and by 1978, Shirley had reached her breaking point. She filed for divorce, citing cruelty and irreconcilable differences, but the two later reconciled.
However, the cycle continued. In 1981, Shirley filed for divorce again, this time detailing years of domestic violence. In a sworn deposition the following year, she testified that in 1978, while five months pregnant, Green beat her with a boot after she refused to have sex. The assault left her with head injuries, one requiring stitches. Though they attempted to mend their marriage, Shirley eventually decided she could no longer endure the abuse.
Green initially denied the allegations but later admitted under oath in 1982 that he had hit his wife, though he claimed it was only after being provoked.
Their divorce was finalized in February 1983, with Green agreeing to pay Shirley $432,800 in alimony and child support.
Did Al Green Remarry?
By the 1990s, reports surfaced that Green had remarried, but the details surrounding his new marriage remain a well-guarded secret. Unlike his first marriage, which was often in the public eye, Green has kept his personal life out of the spotlight in recent decades.
Some sources suggest that he has been in a long-term relationship with a woman named Cynthia. While the couple has reportedly been together for several years, little is known about their life together, as Green has chosen to keep this chapter of his life private.
What Is Al Green’s Net Worth in 2025?
As of 2025, his estimated net worth stands at $25 million, amassed entirely through his music career.
With a career spanning decades, Green has received 21 Grammy nominations, winning 11 across R&B, soul, gospel, and pop categories.
