Suge Knight’s Siblings: Charlinda Tubbs and Karen Anderson

Marion Hugh “Suge” Knight Jr., the controversial co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records, remains one of the most polarizing figures in hip-hop history.

He is widely credited with shaping the sound and commercial dominance of 1990s gangsta rap while also becoming synonymous with legal turmoil.

He was born on April 19, 1965, in Compton, California, and is 60 years old. Knight is African American and was raised in Compton as the youngest of three children born to Marion Knight Sr., a truck driver and former singer, and Maxine Chatman (née Dikeman).

He has two older sisters, Charlinda Tubbs and Karen Anderson. There is no verified public record regarding his religious beliefs, although unconfirmed reports have occasionally surfaced about possible spiritual changes during periods of incarceration.

Nicknamed “Sugar Bear” in childhood for his gentle demeanour—a moniker later shortened to “Suge“—Knight attended Lynwood High School, where he stood out as a football and track athlete.

He continued playing football at El Camino College and later at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). In 1987, he briefly appeared as a replacement player for the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL strike. Standing approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm), his size and athletic presence became a defining part of his public persona.

Knight‘s personal life has been marked by instability and controversy. He married Sharitha Lee Golden, also known as Sharitha Knight, in the late 1980s or early 1990s, and the couple had a daughter before divorcing.

In 1999, while incarcerated, he married R&B singer Michel’le Toussant; they share a daughter, Bailei Knight. Michel’le later filed for divorce in 2005 and revealed that the marriage was invalid because Knight was still legally married to Sharitha at the time. Over the years, he has also been linked to relationships with Davina Barnes, Stormey Ramdhan, and Toi-Lin Kelly.

Knight is the father of at least five children from multiple relationships, including Taj Knight, Bailei Knight, and Suge Jacob Knight, as well as Andrew Knight, Legend Knight, and Posh Knight.

While his career achievements and legal struggles have kept him in the public eye for decades, his immediate family—particularly his sisters—have remained mainly private, avoiding media attention despite the notoriety surrounding his life.

Charlinda Tubbs

Charlinda Tubbs is Suge Knight‘s older sister. She is married to Desi Tubbs and has kept a low profile throughout her brother’s tumultuous career in the music industry.

She has avoided the spotlight associated with Suge’s fame and controversies. Family records, including her mother, Maxine Chatman‘s, 2018 obituary, confirm that Charlinda is one of Suge‘s two siblings.

There are mentions of property transactions involving family homes transferred to her name in the mid-2000s, but these appear tied to family assets rather than public endeavours.

Karen Anderson

Karen Anderson is Suge Knight‘s other older sister. She is married to Norris Anderson and, like Charlinda, has generally remained private. However, Karen has occasionally spoken publicly in support of her brother during his legal challenges.

In interviews around Suge‘s 2015 hit-and-run case and subsequent trial, Karen described him as having a “fun spirit and a soft side,” noting his childhood nickname “Sugar Bear” reflected his sweeter personality.

She has emphasized that while he’s not perfect, the public portrayal of him as a ruthless figure doesn’t capture his full character. Karen attended court hearings and provided updates on his health issues during pretrial delays.

Both sisters represent the quieter side of the Knight family, contrasting sharply with Suge‘s public persona in the hip-hop world.

FAQ