Teri DeBarge is also known as Teri Lee Gayle. She is an American celebrity spouse and a TV producer; and Bobby DeBarge’s wife from 1990 to Bobby’s death in 1995. Teri is also known as the executive producer of The Bobby DeBarge Story (2019) and Unsung (2008) which tell the story of her late husband’s life and career.
Her husband, Bobby DeBerge was a renowned American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was the lead singer of the Motown R&B/soul vocal group Switch. He went on to serve as both a mentor and a co-producer of his siblings’ band, DeBarge. He released numerous songs and albums with DeBarge and Switch before his death at 39 in 1995. Some of the albums include White Heat (1975), Pall Mall Groove (1977), Switch II (1979), This Is My Dream (1980), and Bad Boys (1987).
Teri’s Life Before Fame
Bobby’s widowed wife was born Teri Lee Gayle. She kept a private life until her later years. She is over 15 years younger than her late husband Bobby (born on March 5, 1956).
Bobby was born to Etterlen Louise Rodriguez (previously DeBarge) and an Army soldier Robert DeBarge Sr.
Bobby’s mother was an American gospel singer and the matriarch of the DeBarge music group which consisted of several members of the DeBarge family.
What to Know About Her Career
Teri is a TV producer famed for producing Unsung (from 2008) and The Bobby DeBarge Story (2019). Unsung is an American series that tells the story of some of the most influential, talented yet forgotten musicians in different genres. The musicians were those of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.
She served as the executive producer of a biopic, The Bobby DeBarge Story. The film gained a nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television) from Image Awards (NAACP).
Her Marriage and Children
Teri was married to Bobby in December 1990. Based on several reports, Bobby and Teri met in the mid-1980s through El DeBarge’s ex-wife Monique DeBarge.
At the time they met, Teri was 15 while Bobby was in his 30s. They later grew older and married.
The couple became parents of two boys – Christian DeBarge and Bobby DeBarge Jr.
See Also: Tabitha Swann Is Bobby Green’s Wife: All About Her And Their Kids
Christian DeBarge is a Web Technician
Christian DeBarge is the oldest of the two children of Teri and Bobby DeBarge. He is a web technician and had an airman basic training with the US Air Force. The young DeBarge also has a career as a freelance writer and artist; and as a network & desktop support analyst.
He is known for keeping a private life. Nonetheless, he made a TV appearance in 2008 when he appeared in one episode of Unsung.
Christian is a graduate of DeVry University, Sherman Oaks, CA.
He is married to an Asian woman and shares a child.
Bobby DeBarge Jr. is a Musician
Bobby, the son of Terri and Bobby DeBarge is a singer, songwriter, and vocal producer. He has released songs including Faded Off Your, OML, Glow You Up, Crazy, These Sheets, and Euphoria.
Bobby may not be as famous as his father but he is making a name for himself in his own right. He has worked with numerous artists such as Daja Excel, Demrick, and Xzibit.
Bobby Jr. also makes music with his cousins Andrew, Kristinia, and Eldra.
In his private life, DeBarge Jr. is married and has three children – Noah Robert Debarge, Lily Rose DeBarge, and Zoë Paige Debarge.
Has Teri Remarried?
Bobby DeBarge’s widowed wife does not bring her private life to the public but is believed to have not been married after the death of her famous husband when she was only in her 20s.
Bobby died on August 16, 1995, due to AIDs complications. Before his demise, he suffered health challenges and later revealed to his family that he was diagnosed with HIV.
In his last days, Bobby was mostly separated from Teri and their children as he lived in Gregory Williams’ California home before he returned to Michigan.
Before then, the late musician also suffered from drug addiction. He used cocaine, heroin, and crack. In 1988, he received a 5-year sentence for drug trafficking. He was released in 1993 and tried to stay clean.
Upon his release, he returned to music and signed a management agreement as a partnership with Ed Wright in 1985), who guided him in 1994 to record songs he wrote in prison.
Teri DeBarge’s Husband Had a Relationship with La Toya Jackson Before They Married
Before Bobby and Teri married, Bobby dated Michael Jackson’s sister Latoya in the late 1970s. Their relationship lasted a few years before it ended.
Bobby was not the only DeBarge to be romantically involved with a Jackson. His brother James married Janet Jackson on 7 September 1984. They lasted a few months before the marriage was annulled on 18 November 1985.
The Jackson family and the DeBarge family had very close ties. The family developed a very close friendship and some members of both families once shared the same home.
Her Husband was Bisexual
Teri’s late husband was bisexual. However, it has not been revealed whether he had other relationships while he was married to Terri.
His sexuality has been discussed by Switch founder and DeBarge family friend, Greg Williams. He made the revelation in the series Unsung, stating that Bobby revealed to him that he was into both men and women.
Being bisexual has been revealed to be a key factor regarding why the late musician and his ex, Latoya ended their relationship.
Furthermore, in the revelation of DeBarge’s sexuality, his sister Bunny DeBarge said
My brother Bobby was bisexual, that was his preference. However, he was no punk! Neither am I!! A heart was shown. A slate must be clean. Not in a closet as you now prefer but where it was manifested. A false picture was painted of me publicly and comfortablely in all unfairness it was done. So I’m standing on a promise my brother left me, “IT NOT OVER’!!!
