Kirk Franklin Opens Up About Estranged Relationship with His Mother

Image: DP

Grammy-winning gospel singer Kirk Franklin recently shared a deeply personal story about his strained relationship with his biological mother, revealing that he stopped speaking to her at the age of 32. Appearing on the Funky Friday podcast, the 54-year-old music star recounted the incident that led to their estrangement.

Franklin explained that the turning point came during a family intervention aimed at helping his sister, who had just been released from prison and was struggling with drug addiction. Despite the emotional weight of the situation, Franklin found himself alone in his efforts to assist his sister, as their mother had not been actively involved in their lives.

During the intervention, Franklin’s mother arrived with her new husband, and while the family meeting initially went well, things took a painful turn. After the intervention, Franklin remarked that the focus should remain on his sister’s recovery, rather than on any sense of familial reconciliation. It was then that his mother’s husband interjected, criticizing Franklin for not calling his mother often enough and questioning his Christian values.

The situation escalated into a heated argument, and Franklin was devastated when his mother chose to side with her new husband rather than her children. She took her husband’s hand and left the gathering, a gesture that Franklin says crushed him deeply.

“For the fact that she didn’t take that man’s hand and say, ‘Baby, stay away. This is between me and my kids...’ She took that man’s hand and walked out with him,” Franklin recalled. He concluded that, as a child, he felt powerless in such situations, but as an adult, he vowed never to allow himself to be treated that way again.

Franklin’s candid revelation sheds light on the complex dynamics of his family life, offering fans and listeners a glimpse into the challenges he has faced beyond his public persona as a celebrated gospel artist.

Source: DP

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