Who Is Shirley Kyles? The True Life of Al Green’s Former Wife and Her Inspiring Journey

Quick Bio

Early Life and Faith

Shirley Anne Watts Kyles Green was born on July 28, 1948, in Oregon, United States. She grew up in a Christian family that valued faith, honesty, and compassion. Her father, Larry Samuel Focht, was a Baptist preacher, and her mother, Astrid Eugenia Eleanora Focht, was known for her warmth and kindness. When Shirley was still a young girl, her family moved to Chicago, where faith became an even stronger part of her life.

She attended church regularly and spent much of her time singing in the choir, helping organize community programs, and learning about ministry. People who knew her as a child described her as gentle, respectful, and full of life. Church was her second home, and her voice soon became one of her greatest gifts. Singing gospel songs gave her peace, and through her voice, she found a deep connection to her faith. These early experiences helped her build the inner strength that would carry her through the most difficult moments of her life.

Career and Personal Growth

Before Shirley met Al Green, she had already lived a meaningful and hardworking life. She joined the military, where she showed courage, leadership, and commitment to service. Shirley worked her way up with determination and earned the title of Colonel, something very few women achieved at that time. Her service reflected her discipline and strong moral values.

Alongside her military career, Shirley continued to sing and perform gospel music. She never sought fame or attention; she simply wanted to share hope through her songs. Her voice carried warmth and emotion, reminding people of love, faith, and forgiveness. Her dual life — one of service to her country and one of devotion to God through music — made her an exceptional woman long before she met the man who would change her life forever.

Relationship with Al Green

In 1976, Shirley met Al Green at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Memphis, Tennessee. At the time, Al Green was already a world-famous soul singer, known for timeless hits like “Let’s Stay Together,” “Love and Happiness,” and “Tired of Being Alone.” But despite his fame, Al was also a pastor deeply involved in his church. When he heard Shirley sing one Sunday morning, he was moved by her voice and her spiritual energy. He invited her to sing background vocals for him and help with his ministry.

They shared a deep faith and a passion for gospel music, which brought them closer. Their friendship quickly grew into love, and before long, they decided to get married. It seemed like the perfect match — two people who loved God, music, and each other. To many, it looked like a fairy-tale relationship filled with faith and harmony.

Marriage and Family Life

In June 1977, Shirley Kyles and Al Green got married in a small and private ceremony. Their wedding was simple and humble, just like their personalities. In the beginning, life together seemed peaceful. They prayed together, sang together, and worked side by side in Al’s church. Shirley supported her husband’s music career and ministry, taking care of their home and later their children. They had three beautiful daughters — Alva, Rubi, and Cora. Shirley was a loving and devoted mother who always put her children first.

She wanted them to grow up in a home filled with love, respect, and faith. Life, however, became difficult as fame and stress began to affect their marriage. Al’s busy schedule, touring, and public image created tension at home, and behind the smiling photographs, their relationship began to struggle. Shirley tried to keep her family strong, but the challenges became too heavy to carry alone.

Who Is Al Green?

Struggles Behind Closed Doors

As time went on, Shirley’s marriage to Al Green grew painful and complicated. What seemed like a beautiful love story from the outside became a life filled with emotional and physical pain. Shirley later revealed that she suffered abuse during her marriage, something that took a great deal of courage to speak about. The situation was heartbreaking because she had believed in love, faith, and forgiveness. But she also knew that she deserved peace and safety. When she decided to tell her story in court, the world finally saw a different side of fame — the private struggles that even the most successful people face.

Shirley’s testimony about the abuse was brave and eye-opening. She spoke the truth, not for attention, but to stand up for herself and protect her children. Her courage helped raise awareness about domestic violence at a time when few women had the voice or support to do so publicly. Her story became a source of inspiration for others facing similar pain.

Divorce and a New Beginning

By 1983, Shirley Kyles made the difficult decision to end her marriage. It was not an easy choice, but it was the right one for her and her children. She filed for divorce, citing abuse and irreconcilable differences. The process was painful and public, but Shirley stood strong. She had tried to leave before, hoping things would get better, but this time, she knew it was time to move on.

She once said, “It’s not about him; it’s about how I came through it.” That one sentence showed how much she had grown — she was no longer defined by her pain but by her ability to heal. After the divorce, Shirley focused on rebuilding her life. She continued to care for her daughters, guided by her faith and her belief in forgiveness. Her decision to leave an abusive relationship gave hope to many women who thought they had no way out. She showed that walking away is not a sign of weakness, but an act of self-love and courage.

Motherhood and Family Legacy

Throughout her life, Shirley Kyles was first and foremost a loving mother. Her daughters — Alva, Rubi, and Cora — were her greatest joy and her reason to keep going. She raised them with strong values, teaching them about kindness, education, and faith. Her eldest daughter, Dr. Alva Green, went on to become a doctor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, helping others just like her mother did in her own way.

Rubi and Cora chose more private lives, but they carry their mother’s strength and faith within them. Shirley’s children are a reflection of her heart — kind, hardworking, and grounded in love. Even though their childhood had challenges, Shirley’s steady love gave them the foundation they needed to succeed. Her role as a mother was her proudest accomplishment, and through her children, her legacy continues to grow.

Later Years and Passing

In her later years, Shirley lived a quiet and peaceful life in Mobile, Alabama. She continued to attend church, help others, and share her wisdom with anyone who needed encouragement. She was respected and loved by those who knew her, not because of who she had been married to, but because of the woman she became. Her faith remained strong until the end.

On July 17, 2023, Shirley Kyles passed away at the age of 74. Her death was a sad moment for her family and the community, but her life was celebrated as one filled with faith and purpose. People remembered her for her kindness, her strength, and her forgiving heart. She had lived through great pain, but she never allowed it to make her bitter. Instead, she chose peace, forgiveness, and love — the same values she had carried since childhood.

Legacy and Impact

Shirley Kyles’ story is about much more than her connection to a famous musician. It is about what it means to survive, to heal, and to live with faith. She showed the world that a woman’s strength does not come from fame or wealth, but from her ability to keep believing in herself. Shirley turned her pain into purpose by helping others and living with compassion. Her bravery in speaking out about domestic abuse made her a quiet hero for many women. She lived her life with dignity, humility, and grace.

Even though she never sought recognition, her story continues to touch hearts and inspire those who learn about her. Shirley Kyles was not just the former wife of Al Green — she was a mother, a soldier, a singer, and a woman of great faith.

Shirley Kyles’ Net Worth

Shirley Kyles’ exact net worth was never publicly shared. She lived a humble life and never sought fame or material wealth. Unlike her former husband, Al Green, whose net worth is estimated at around $25 million, Shirley focused on her faith, family, and service to others. Her true wealth was her compassion, wisdom, and the lives she touched through her love and kindness.

Final Thoughts

The life of Shirley Kyles reminds us that true strength often grows from the hardest moments. She faced pain and hardship, but she never gave up on love or faith. Her story teaches us that forgiveness is not weakness, and that healing is possible even after deep hurt. She raised her children with love, served her community with dedication, and helped others find peace. Shirley’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the hearts she healed.

Though she is no longer here, her example continues to inspire people to choose hope over despair and faith over fear. Shirley Kyles will always be remembered as a woman who lived with grace, courage, and a heart full of love.