Gloria Carter is the mother of the famous rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z. She is also a philanthropist and a social activist who supports various causes. She came out as a lesbian in 2017 and married her partner Roxanne Wilshire in 2023. Here are some more details about her life and achievements.
Early Life and Education
Gloria Carter was born in New York City, United States, in 1950. She grew up in a poor and violent neighborhood in Brooklyn. She had a difficult childhood and faced many challenges. She dropped out of school at a young age and became a single mother of four children.

Gloria Carter raised her children with the help of her mother and siblings. She worked as a clerk at an investment company to support her family. She also encouraged her children to pursue their dreams and talents. She was especially supportive of her son Jay-Z, who showed an interest in music and rap.
Gloria Carter BIO/WIKI
Name | Gloria Carter |
Birthday | September 1950 |
Age | 72 (as of 2023) |
Birthplace | New York City, United States |
Zodiac | Virgo |
Parents | Names Not Known |
Siblings | Unknown |
Husband | Roxanne Wilshire (m. 2023) |
Marital Status | Married |
Sexuality | Lesbian |
Kids | Jay-Z, Eric Carter, Andrea Carter, Michelle Carter |
Career | Co-founder and president of the Shawn Carter Foundation, a former clerk at an investment company |
Net worth | $10 million (as of 2023) |
Height | 5 feet 7 inches (approx.) |
Weight | 60 kilograms (approx.) |
Hair Color | Black |
Eyes Color | Brown |
Education | High school dropout |
Alma Mater | N/A |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Nationality | American |
Religion | Christian |
gloriacarter | |
Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Coming Out
Gloria Carter kept her sexuality a secret for most of her life. She feared that she would lose her family and friends if she revealed that she was a lesbian. She also faced stigma and discrimination from society. She dated women secretly and hid her true self.
Gloria Carter finally decided to come out in 2017, when Jay-Z released his album 4:44. In the song “Smile”, Jay-Z rapped about his mother’s sexuality and how he loved her unconditionally. Gloria Carter also recited a poem at the end of the song, where she said:
“Living in the shadow / Can you imagine what kind of life it is to live? / In the shadows people see you as happy and free / Because that’s what you want them to see / Living two lives, happy, but not free / You live in the shadows for fear of someone hurting your family or the person you love /

The world is changing and they say it’s time to be free / But you live with the fear of just being me / Living in the shadow feels like the safe place to be / No harm for them, no harm for me / But life is short, and it’s time to be free / Love who you love, because life isn’t guaranteed / Smile”
The song received critical acclaim and praise from fans and celebrities. Gloria Carter also received support and admiration from the LGBTQ+ community. She said that coming out was one of the most difficult things she ever did, but also one of the most liberating.
Marriage with Roxanne Wilshire
She met her partner Roxanne Wilshire, a retired teacher & designer, in 2018. They fell in love and decided to get married. They tied the knot on June 23, 2023, at Tribeca, New York.

The wedding was attended by their family and friends, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Rumi, Sir, Solange, Tina Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Diddy, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and others.
Philanthropy and Activism
Gloria Carter is not only a proud mother but also a generous philanthropist and a passionate activist. She founded the Shawn Carter Foundation in 2003 with Jay-Z. The foundation provides scholarships and mentorship to students from low-income backgrounds who want to pursue higher education. The foundation also supports programs that empower youth and communities through education, health, social justice, and culture.

Gloria Carter is also involved in other causes that are close to her heart. She supports LGBTQ+ rights and equality. She received the Special Recognition Award at the 2018 GLAAD Media Awards for her contribution to LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance. She also supports women’s rights and empowerment. She participated in the Women’s March in 2017 and 2018 with her daughter-in-law Beyoncé and granddaughter Blue Ivy.

Gloria Carter also supports Black Lives Matter and racial justice. She joined Jay-Z in donating $1 million to bail out protesters who were arrested during the George Floyd protests in 2020. She also spoke out against police brutality and systemic racism.
Net worth and Job
Gloria Carter has an estimated net worth of $10 million as of 2023. She earns money from her job as the co-founder and president of the Shawn Carter Foundation. She also receives royalties from Jay-Z’s music, especially from the song “Smile”. She lives a comfortable and luxurious life with her wife Roxanne Wilshire.

Kids
Gloria Carter has four children: Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter), Eric Carter, Andrea Carter, and Michelle Carter.
- Jay-Z is her eldest son and the most famous one. He is a rapper, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and billionaire. He is married to Beyoncé, one of the most successful and influential singers in the world. They have three children: Blue Ivy, Rumi, and Sir. Jay-Z is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time and one of the most influential figures in the music industry. He has won 23 Grammy Awards, sold over 100 million records, and has a net worth of $1.4 billion as of 2023.
- Eric Carter is her second son and the least known one. He is a businessman and a father of two children. He is not involved in the music industry and prefers to keep a low profile. He is close to his mother and siblings.

- Andrea Carter is her eldest daughter and a nurse. She works at a hospital in New York and helps people with their health issues. She is married and has three children. She is also close to her mother and siblings.
- Michelle Carter is her youngest daughter and a lawyer. She works at a law firm in New York and specializes in civil rights cases. She is single and has no children. She is also close to her mother and siblings
Some Facts About Gloria Carter
- She was born in 1950 in New York City, United States.
- She dropped out of school and became a single mother of four children at a young age.
- Gloria worked as a clerk at an investment company to support her family.
- Carter came out as a lesbian in 2017 and married her partner Roxanne Wilshire in 2023.
- Carter founded the Shawn Carter Foundation with Jay-Z in 2003 to provide scholarships and mentorship to students from low-income backgrounds.
- Gloria received the Special Recognition Award at the 2018 GLAAD Media Awards for her contribution to LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance.

- She participated in the Women’s March in 2017 and 2018 with Beyoncé and Blue Ivy.
- She joined Jay-Z in donating $1 million to bail out protesters who were arrested during the George Floyd protests in 2020.
- Gloria has an estimated net worth of $10 million as of 2023.
- Gloria has four children: Jay-Z, Eric Carter, Andrea Carter, and Michelle Carter.
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