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How fame and riches of children changed lives of mothers

Ebony, May, 2002 by Lynn Norment

A mother's, love transcends all. It doesn't matter if the offspring is in congress or in prison, whether he or she is successful or struggling to make ends meet. Mothers love their children unconditionally.

That's why the fact that their sons and daughters are famous is not what is most important to the mothers of celebrities. They would love them regardless. Yet, for an exclusive club of moms who happen to have famous, often rich offspring, motherhood sometimes is elevated to the status of pampered goddess. Being mother of a celebrity comes with numerous perks--new houses and mansions, expensive cars, exclusive vacations, and enormous pride.

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In most cases, sudden fame of an offspring leads to dramatic lifestyle changes for mom. "My life has changed significantly because there was a time when I had to watch my budget, watch my spending," says Church of God in Christ evangelist Mary Tucker, whose son Chris Tucker is among Hollywood's best-known actor/comedians. "When you're used to that for many years, although I had a good life, it still takes some getting used to being able to have whatever I want. He's very, very generous to me. Sometimes I say, `What now?'" she says with a laugh. "He gives me everything. Everything. There's nothing that he doesn't do for me."

Right now, the star of two blockbuster Rush Hour movies that have grossed millions of dollars is building his mom a $3 million mansion in Atlanta. It will have 10 bedrooms, including three master bedroom suites, 10 bathrooms, a swimming pool, as well as a pool house. For Christmas, Tucker had a Bentley delivered to his mom from Los Angeles; it joins the 1999 and 2000 S500 Mercedes-Benzes he gave her on previous occasions. "He just blows my mind all the time," gushes Tucker.

Though her son is very successful, she says she's also very pleased that he has not lost his common touch. "I still just see him as my son ... I don't see him as a celebrity. He's just my son," she says. "I'm very pleased with him. He's not stuffy and the money has not gone to his head. He's a beautiful spirit. I can see how rearing him in a Christian home has really made a difference."

This kind of "just-my-child" sentiment is echoed by several other mothers featured here. Tina Knowles of Houston, who has two daughters in the spotlight, says that Beyonce, 20, of platinum-selling Destiny's Child, and new solo artist Solange, 16, are just my daughters. "I sometimes forget that my kids are famous until we attend an awards show, and then all of a sudden photographers are screaming their names: `Beyonce, Beyonce! Solange, Solange!' But at home, Beyonce and Solange are just my two daughters that we (she and husband/Destiny's Child manager Mathew Knowles) raised. They still have to be humble and spiritual and respectful," says Knowles.

"We expect them to follow all the rules of the house, including cleaning up after themselves. It's no different than having a child who is on the honor roll or good at a sport. It's no different. You just have to support them and love them. I just teach my kids that they can do all things through Christ, who strengthens them."

Tina Knowles is hair and fashion stylist for Solange and Destiny's Child, and she has evolved as a fashion trendsetter with her sassy, sometimes classy, sometimes wild, always eye-catching attire.

Since recording sensation India.Arie has taken the music world by storm in the past year, her mother, Atlanta fashion designer Simpson, also has become an influence in the world of entertainment fashions. She creates her daughter's unique, earthy, somewhat ethereal attire.

"I'm extraordinarily excited and extremely blessed about her success," Simpson says of India.Arie. "It has given me a peace of mind that now both my children, India.Arie and J-On, are living their dreams, which has given me the opportunity to live mine. For 30 years I've been a fashion designer and an artist, and this affords me the opportunity to share my work with the world."

When asked about gifts from her talented and famous daughter, Simpson says: "India has given me my home, which is something I've always wanted. And more importantly, she wrote a song for me, something I'll always cherish. And for the last 15 years, she's always made me a handmade Mother's Day card. I have all of them in my scrapbook! But the best Mother's Day present that God gave me is two wonderful, kind children who grew up to be two wonderful, kind adults."

Lil' Bow Wow's mom, Teresa Caldwell, says her 15-year-old son's success has strengthened her relationship with him, despite the fact that sometimes his young fans "run over her and almost knock her to the ground" in an effort to get close to Lil' Bow Wow. She says she is proud of her son "because he works so hard. When I say he works hard, I mean it."

In addition to being his mother, Caldwell is also his manager and confidante. "If Bow is frustrated, tired or doesn't feel like he has done his best, I always try to give him words of encouragement. I always tell him to be positive and keep God in your life," she says.

How fame and riches of children changed lives of mothers

Ebony, May, 2002 by Lynn Norment

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