Is She or Isn’t She James Brown’s Widow?

James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” died at the age of 73 on December 25, 2006.

Controversy is now swirling regarding whether he does or does not have a surviving spouse.  Brown married Tomi Rae Hynie in 2001.  However, claims are now being made that Tomi “was already married to a Texas man * * * when she married Brown, thus making her marriage to Brown null * * *.  Hynie later annulled the previous marriage, but she and Brown never remarried.”  See AP, Brown widow: I’ve been locked out, Dec. 26, 2006.

Lawyer Buddy Dallas is preventing Tomi and their child from entering the house.  Dallas said that “legal formalities need to be followed now, adding that Brown’s estate was left in trust for his children.”

There is also debate regarding whether the child whom Tomi and James held out as theirs was really fathered by James.  See Brown wanted paternity test , Harold-Sun (Australia), Jan. 8, 2007.

Special thanks to Prof. Joel C. Dobris of the University of California-Davis and Raymond Sheffield (San Jose, CA) for suggesting that I write on these developments.