Shirley Caesar Biography
Shirley Caesar ( born Shirley Ann Caesar-Williams) is an American Gospel music singer, recording artist, and songwriter whose career has traversed over six decades. She is a multi-award-winning artist who has won twelve Grammy Awards, as well as Dove and Stellar Awards. As a result, she has been dubbed “The Queen of Gospel Music” and “The First Lady of Gospel Music.” Shirley started recording at the age of 12 on the Federal label in 1951.
Shirley Caesar has nearly forty albums to her credit. Mama, I Want to Sing, Sing: Mama 2, and Born to Sing: Mama 3 are three gospel musicals in which she has appeared.
Shirley is also responsible for the #unameit challenge, which began during one of her musical sermonettes. She created her own store and intends to donate the proceeds to charity during the holiday season. Caesar’s triumph also includes a series of commercials for MCI Communications and various awards for her recordings.
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She has won 11 Grammy Awards (plus honored with The Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award), 14 Stellar Awards, 18 Doves, 1 RIAA gold certification, an Essence Award, McDonald’s Golden Circle Lifetime Achievement Award, NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, SESAC Lifetime Achievement Award, Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music, as well as induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Following a report by Soundscan, she has sold 2.2 million albums since 1991. Caesar has also made major appearances, including the Live telecast from Disney World Night of Joy, and the Gospel According to VH1. Moreover, she has also had a White House performance for George Bush, and a speech on the Evolution of Gospel Music to the US Treasury Department.
In 2017, Caesar was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy.
Shirley Caesar Age
How old is Shirley Caesar? Shirley is 85 years old as of October 2023. She was born on October 13, 1938, in Durham, North Carolina, the United States of America. In addition, Caesar celebrates her birthday on October 13th every year.
Shirley Caesar Family
Caesar is the 10th child of 13 children, all her siblings are now deceased, Her father Jim Caesar was a well-known local gospel singer but he died suddenly when Shirley was seven years old. Her mother Hallie Caesar was semi-invalid due to a lame leg. Caesar had a special bond with her mother and took care of her until her death in 1986.
Shirley Caesar Education
Caesar finally achieved her dream of completing her education after several years of hard work. She returned to school and graduated from Shaw University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1984.
She also spent time studying at the Divinity School of Duke University and has received honorary doctorates from Shaw University and Southeastern University.
Shirley Caesar Husband
Caesar was married to Bishop Harold I. Williams in June 1983. The couple was co-pastors of the 1,500-member Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, until his death on July 4, 2014.
Shirley Caesar’s Kids
She does not have any biological children. However, she has two adult step-children by marriage; Harold I Williams Jr and Rev Hope I Mason.
Caesar Delta Sigma Theta
Caesar is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She cites her mother as a strong influence on her decision to give so selflessly of herself. Caesar has committed a sizable portion of all concert sales to her outreach ministries.
Recently she has cut back on preaching and has appointed an executive pastor at her church and he provides weekly sermons to the congregation while Caesar serves as a senior pastor but Caesar continues to record and perform in concerts all over the country.
She also continues to hold her annual outreach ministries conference. The outreach ministry provides food, clothing, shelter, toys for children, and financial assistance to those in need.
When asked what would she still like to accomplish, she says, “I would like to do more acting “…
Shirley Discography
- First Lady (1977)
- From The Heart (1978)
- Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name (1983)
- Sailin’ (1984)
- Her Very Best (1987)
- Live in Chicago (1988)
- I Remember Mama (1989)
- Go (1980)
- He’s Working It Out for You (1991)
- Stand Still (1993)
- Live…He Will Come (1995)
- Just A Word (1996)
- A Miracle in Harlem (1997)
- Christmas with Shirley Caesar (1998)
- You Can Make It (2000)
- Hymns (2001)
- Greatest Gospel Hits
- Shirley Caesar & Friends (2003)
- The Gospel Legends (2005)
- I Know the Truth (2005)
- Still Sweeping Through the City After 40 Years (2008)
- A City Called Heaven (2009)
- Good God (2013)
- Fill This House (2016)
Caesar’s Awards & Honors
- Caesar is a holder of a 1999 National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States’ highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.
- She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000.
- Caesar was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2010. She performed for President Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House in 2015 along with Aretha Franklin.
- In May 2016, the National Museum of African American Music honored Caesar with the Rhapsody & Rhythm Award in Nashville, Tennessee in advance of the planned 2018 opening of the historic museum.
- The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce proudly honored gospel singer Shirley Caesar with the 2,583rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, June 28, 2016.
Shirley Caesar Net Worth
Caesar has an estimated net worth of $20 million. Her income is mainly attributed to her successful career as a singer, songwriter, and recording artist.
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