Beverley Knight Biography: Ethnicity, Net Worth, Siblings, Age, Parents, Height, Husband, Songs, Movies

Beverley Anne Smith, widely known as Beverley Knight MBE, is an acclaimed English singer-songwriter, actress, and radio personality regarded as one of Britain’s finest soul singers.

With a career spanning over three decades, she rose to prominence with her 1995 debut album, The B-Funk, and is best known for hits like “Greatest Day,” “Shoulda Woulda Coulda,” and “Come as You Are.”

Her powerful vocals, rooted in gospel and soul influences such as those of Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke, have earned her multiple MOBO Awards and an MBE in 2006 for her significant contributions to British music.

Profile

• Full Name: Beverley Anne Smith
• Stage Name: Beverley Knight
• Born: 22, March 1973
• Age: 52 years old
• Birthplace: Wolverhampton, England
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Singer-songwriter, Actress, and Radio Personality
• Height: 1.64m
• Parents: Deloris Smith, Edward Smith
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: James O’Keefe (m. 2012)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Beverley Anne Smith was born on March 22, 1973, in Wolverhampton, England, to Jamaican parents Deloris Smith and Edward Smith. Information about her siblings is not publicly available. Raised in a strict Pentecostal household, she began singing in her local church choir at the age of four, fostering a deep connection to gospel music that would shape her career.

Knight attended Woodfield Infant and Junior Schools and Highfields School in Wolverhampton, later pursuing higher education at Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education (now the University of Gloucestershire), where she studied theology and philosophy. Her ethnicity is Jamaican-British, and she identifies as Christian, reflecting her upbringing.  

Career

Beverley Anne Smith, professionally known as Beverley Knight, began her career performing in local Wolverhampton clubs at age 17 after writing songs at 13.

Discovered at 19 by publisher Peter Robinson through demo recordings for songwriter Westley Jones, she adopted the stage name Beverley Knight and signed with Dome Records in 1994. Her debut album, The B-Funk (1995), won two Black Music Awards, with the single “Flavour of the Old School” charting at number 33 in the UK.

This early success established her as a rising talent in British R&B and soul, drawing comparisons to American soul legends. Knight’s commercial breakthrough came with her second album, Prodigal Sista (1998), featuring five Top 40 hits, including “Greatest Day” (number 14), earning her three MOBO Awards.

Her 2002 album, Who I Am, marked a personal and artistic milestone, with “Shoulda Woulda Coulda” reaching the Top 10 and securing nominations for the Mercury Music Prize and Brit Award. By 2006, she achieved mainstream recognition through BBC’s Just the Two of Us and a platinum-selling compilation, Voice – The Best of Beverley Knight.

Her transition to musical theatre began in 2013 when she starred as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, followed by acclaimed roles in Memphis (2014), Cats (2015), and Sylvia (2023), for which she won an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.  

Knight remains a dynamic force in music and theatre, with her ninth album, The Fifth Chapter (2023), and a live album, BK25 (2019), marking 25 years in the music industry. In 2025, she portrays Rosetta Tharpe in Marie & Rosetta at the Rose Theatre in Kingston upon Thames and the Minerva Theatre in Chichester, showcasing her gospel roots.

Her performances, including at the London 2012 Paralympics and Prince’s 2008 Oscars party, highlight her global appeal. Knight’s advocacy for charities like Christian Aid, along with her honorary doctorates from the University of Wolverhampton (2005) and Birmingham City University (2023), underscore her lasting influence as a cultural icon.  

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @beverleyknight
• Facebook Handle: Beverley Knight
• Twitter Handle: @Beverleyknight

Personal Life

Beverley Knight has been married to James O’Keefe since September 7, 2012, and the couple has no children—a choice shaped both by her demanding career and a hysterectomy, which she has spoken about as a deeply emotional turning point.

Despite not having children of her own, she remains closely connected to her extended family. She frequently acknowledges the influence of her parents’ Jamaican roots and Pentecostal faith on her personal values and musical style. Knight continues to lead a grounded and purposeful life, balancing her career with a strong sense of identity and cultural pride.

Discography

•    The B-Funk (1995)
•    Prodigal Sista (1998)
•    Who I Am (2002)
•    Affirmation (2004)
•    Music City Soul (2007)
•    100% (2009)
•    Soul UK (2011)
•    Soulsville (2016)
•    BK25 (2019, live album)
•    The Fifth Chapter (2023)

Net Worth

Beverley Knight’s estimated net worth is USD 2 million, accumulated through her multifaceted career as a singer-songwriter, actress, and radio personality. Her primary income sources include music sales, live performances, and roles in musical theatre productions like The Bodyguard and Sylvia.