‘I love her to this day’: Smokey Robinson, 83, speaks candidly about historic fling with Diana Ross, insisting he’s still a ‘sexual being’ in his older years
Smokey Robinson has spoken candidly about his historic fling with Diana Ross, insisting that he is still a “sexual being” in his older years.
The singer, 83, enjoyed a steamy romance with the former Supremes lead, 79, while married to his ex-wife Claudette Rogers, 80.
He exchanged vows with his Miracles bandmate in 1959, but they divorced in 1986 after the birth of his illegitimate child, Trey Robinson, 39.
Reflecting on his year-long affair with Diana, he shared The protector they met when she was an up and coming artist – but claimed they weren’t pursuing each other.
He said, “We worked together and it just happened. But it was beautiful. She is a beautiful lady and I love her to this day. She is one of my closest people.
‘I love her to this day’: Smokey Robinson has spoken candidly about his landmark fling with Diana Ross, insisting he is still a ‘sexual being’ in his older years (pictured in 2019)
“After seeing each other for a while, Diana told me she couldn’t do that because she knew Claudette and she knew I still loved my wife. And I did. I loved my wife very much.’
When asked if he is still a “sexual being” at 83, Smokey claimed that he still feels 50 and has no intention of becoming an old man.
He said, “I still feel the same way, only I’ve gotten wiser with it. If you’re young and you have those inquisitive feelings about sex, you haven’t lived long enough to know its value. So yes, I have a different attitude about it, but I still feel sexual. And I hope I will always feel that way. Okay, chronologically I’m 83, but it’s not really my age.’
Despite feeling like a young buck, the Motown legend feared he would never sing again after his terrifying battle with Covid-19 in 2021.
Smokey revealed that he spent 11 days in acute care at a Los Angeles hospital after contracting the virus and was left so weak from the virus that he nearly died.
The music icon, famous for his powerful octave-blasting silky-smooth tones on hits like Tears of a Clown and Being With You, admitted he didn’t realize the “seriousness” of his case until after leaving the hospital.
Doctors told him a key factor in his ability to get through was his high level of fitness at age 81 – despite the elderly being most susceptible during the December 2020 Covid peak.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Smokey said he has made an almost full recovery and has even stepped up his physical training regimen to stay fit to avoid reinfection.
What a pair! The singer, 83, enjoyed a steamy romance with the former Supremes lead, 79, (pictured together in 2013) while married to his ex-wife Claudette Rogers, 80
Happier times: He exchanged vows with his Miracles bandmate in 1959, but they divorced in 1986 after the birth of his illegitimate child, Trey Robinson, 39 (pictured in 1989)
Smokey said, “I am a Covid survivor. I got it serious and I was hospitalized for 11 days, and I don’t even remember four or five of those.
“It really was touch and go and a terribly debilitating ailment.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to sing again because it took my voice. I could barely speak.
“Even when I got home I was hoarse, I couldn’t try to sing because I was scared. It was one of the most terrifying fights I’ve ever had.
“I had to work on my vocal chords and get myself back together. I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life, and it was possible, so I did it.”
The beloved entertainer said his doctors had told him he came off relatively lightly.
“They told me that especially at my age I was lucky to have taken care of myself; but for the grace of God and that fact I probably wouldn’t be talking here right now,” he said.