"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How many times was Chuck Berry incarcerated?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you read the biography on Chuck Berry's official website, you will find no mention of the word prison. This bit of revisionist history glosses over the fact that the rock pioneer has been incarcerated three different times. From 1947-1950, he served two and a half years for armed robbery."}}]}}

Themetta Suggs, Truth Chuck Berry’s Wife (2024)

Who is Themetta Suggs?

Themetta Suggs is a celebrity from America. She is mainly known as the wife of Chuck Berry. As you may already know, Chuck Berry is regarded as the Father of Rock N Roll.

The truth behind Themetta Suggs

Despite her fame, there is not much known about Themetta Suggs. She goes by the name of Toddy usually. Themetta uses that name outside her married life with the icon, Chuck Berry. However, her age, birthplace, and educational background are all still unknown.

Themetta Suggs and Chuck Berry married in 1948. The couple remained married until Chuck died in 2017 from natural causes. Having outlived her husband, Themetta is now living with her four children, Aloha Berry, Melody Exes, Ingrid, and Charles Berry Jr.

Their long marriage is proof of their love. In 2017, Chuck released his studio album titled Chuck. It is a love album dedicated to his wife and children. For Chuck, Themetta was not just his wife but also his muse and inspiration.

After they got married, Berry started to improve his life by playing guitar and staying away from crime. Then after spending three years in the Intermediate Reformatory for Young Men just outside of Jefferson, Missouri, Berry’s life got so much better.

Themetta never left his side all that time. She stayed through all the troubles that later followed Berry. After Berry’s death, she inherited his fortune. The inheritance raised Themetta’s net worth to $19 million as of early 2022.

There is a nasty rumor that says Themetta Suggs passed away in 2021. But rest assured that the rumor is false.

Chuck Berry, Themetta Suggs’s husband and and icon

His full name is Charles Edward Anderson Berry. Berry was born on 18 October 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He grew up as the youngest child of Martha Bell, a public-school principal, and Henry William Berry, a deacon of a Baptist church.

Since Berry was young, he was always interested in music. He made his own live performance in 1041 when he was a student at Sumner High School. However, everything turned for the worse when Berry was involved in a life of crime that got him arrested in 1944 for an armed robbery when he broke into multiple shops in Kansas City. He also committed an auto theft with some of his friends.

Themetta Suggs, Truth Chuck Berry’s Wife (1)

After getting arrested, Berry was sent to the Intermediate Reformatory for Young Men at Algoa. He spent three years in the institute. But he didn’t let those three years go to waste. During the three years, he formed a singing quartet. Then after he got released, he held various jobs to support himself and his new family.

The start of his career

Berry’s dream of being an artist is still alive during this time. He started performing with various local bands in St. Louis to earn additional income and improve his guitar skills. Ira Harris was the person who taught him how to play guitar and the source of Berry’s unique play style.

Berry started working with more and more popular artists at the time, including Joe Alexander and The Cubans and Johnnie Johnson’s trio. Slowly but surely, Chuck Berry’s name was starting to become known. People have started to recognize the name, Chuck Berry.

Themetta Suggs, Truth Chuck Berry’s Wife (2)

In the ’50s, Chuck released several hits, such as School Days, Sweet Little Sixteen, Roll Over Beethoven, Johnny B. Goode, and Go, Johnny, Go! These hits turned him from a local artist into a phenomenon.

He then began touring all over the US extensively. However, his career as a musician had to stop after he got arrested for having sexual intercourse with a minor, Janice Escalante. That didn’t stop Chuck completely, as he released Nadine, You Never Can Tell, and several other songs once he got out.

Chuck Berry’s phenomenal career

Themetta Suggs, Truth Chuck Berry’s Wife (3)

Nothing is stopping Chuck Berry’s career anymore after that incident. He began touring the world, performing all over Europe, and becoming a household name as the musician that people adore. Finding support acts for his tours was effortless as everyone wanted to be near Chuck.

During his career, Chuck Berry released 20 studio albums. Some of the most popular albums are Rockin’ at the Hops, Two Great Guitars, Chuck, Rock It, and Back Home. There are also more than 30 compilation albums, such as The Best of Chuck Berry, Anthology, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Music – Any Old Way You Choose It- The Complete Studio Recordings… Plus!

Legal problems

Chuck went through a lot before he got famous. Even after he became known to the public, there were a number of legal problems that plagued his life. Despite all these issues, Themetta remained by his side until his passing.

Themetta Suggs, Truth Chuck Berry’s Wife (4)

In 1990, Chuck Berry was sued by several women who claimed that he installed a video camera in the bathroom of his restaurant. According to Bruce Pegg, one of the people in charge of Berry’s autobiography, there were 59 women who filed charges against him. In total, Chuck has paid more than $1.2 million for a class action settlement and additional legal fees.

On 18 March 2017, Chuck was found unresponsive at his house in Missouri. He was rushed to a hospital, but the emergency workers couldn’t do much, and then he was pronounced dead by his personal physician.

Chuck Berry’s funeral was held on 9 April 2017 at The Pageant, St. Louise. Chuck Berry’s legacy still lives on to this day. His songs have been covered by many younger artists.

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Themetta Suggs, Truth Chuck Berry’s Wife (2024)

FAQs

How many children did Chuck Berry have with his wife Themetta? ›

Chuck Berry
OccupationsSinger musician songwriter
SpouseThemetta Suggs ​ ( m. 1948)​
Children4
Musical career
12 more rows

Who was Chuck Berry's wife? ›

What was Chuck Berry's family like? ›

Chuck Berry was born Charles Edward Anderson Berry on October 18, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri. His parents, Martha and Henry Berry, were the grandchildren of enslaved people, and are among the many African Americans who migrated from the rural South to St. Louis in search of employment during the World War I era.

Who did Chuck Berry leave his money to? ›

Who did Chuck Berry leave his money to? He left a secure inheritance for his wife and four children. His wife, Themetta, is entitled to at least half of the money and half ownership of the intellectual property.

Who was buried with a red Gibson guitar? ›

Bob Marley (1945 to 1981).

The reggae great is reportedly buried with his red Gibson Les Paul guitar, a Bible, and some marijuana.

Was Chuck Berry biracial? ›

October 18, 1926, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Raised in a working-class African American neighbourhood on the north side of the highly segregated city of St. Louis, Berry grew up in a family proud of its African American and Native American ancestry.

What was Chuck Berry accused of? ›

On this day in 1959: Chuck Berry charged for transporting a minor for 'immoral purposes' A warrant charging Charles (Chuck) Berry, rock and roll singer, with transporting a 14-year-old Indian girl from EI Paso, Tex., to St. Louis for immoral purposes was issued yesterday by United States Commissioner Irvin H. Gamble.

What caused Chuck Berry's death? ›

Chuck Berry died of natural causes, according to TMZ, and no autopsy is planned.

What was Chuck Berry's biggest hit song? ›

Chuck Berry made it into the Billboard Hot 100 many times, but surprisingly, his only No. 1 single was the 1972 song "My Ding-a-Ling."

Was Chuck Berry part native? ›

Louis, Missouri. He grew up there in a working-class African American neighborhood, in a family proud of its African American and Native American ancestry. As a boy, Berry was exposed to music through his church's choir and the blues and country music he heard on the radio.

What are 5 facts about Chuck Berry? ›

Key Takeaways:
  • 01Chuck Berry was born on October 18, 1926, in St. ...
  • 02Berry's first big hit was “Maybellene” in 1955.
  • 03Berry was known for his signature “duck walk” on stage.
  • 04Berry wrote many of his own songs.
  • 05Berry's music influenced countless rock and roll artists.
  • 06“Johnny B.
May 30, 2024

Who is Chuck Berry's daughter? ›

How many times was Chuck Berry incarcerated? ›

If you read the biography on Chuck Berry's official website, you will find no mention of the word prison. This bit of revisionist history glosses over the fact that the rock pioneer has been incarcerated three different times. From 1947-1950, he served two and a half years for armed robbery.

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