Last updated on: November 22, 2024
Rita Owens was the darling mother of the popular queen singer, actress, and rapper Queen Latifah. She had an important role in her life and career. Rita Owens was born on March 8, 1950, in Newark, New Jersey. She was a teacher who loved education and always encouraged her children to do their best.
| Quick Facts About Rita Owens | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rita Lamae Bray Owens |
| Birthdate | March 8, 1950 |
| Occupation | School Teacher (Irvington High School) |
| Husband/Wife | Lancelot Owens Sr. (divorced in 1978) |
| Death | March 21, 2018 |
| Age | Died at 68 years |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Siblings | Not Known |
| Children | Queen Latifah, Lancelot Owens Jr. |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $1-2 million |
Early Life and Career
Rita Owens grew up in Newark, New Jersey. There, she developed an absolute enthusiasm for teaching. Rita worked hard, as a school teacher at Irvington High School, where she contributed to the formation of young students for many years. Rita Owens had a great respect for education and worked very hard to help others learn. She thought that education was a power tool able to transform human life.
She had two children with her husband, Lancelot Owens Sr. Rita’s son, Lancelot Owens Jr., was much older than Queen Latifah. Lancelot Sr. was a police officer. Rita and Lancelot Sr. divorced when Queen Latifah was 10 years old. Then Rita raised her children alone after the separation. Despite all this hardship, Rita proved to be a guiding light in the lives of her children with immense love and care.
Problems in Life and Courage
Rita had many problems during the time with her husband, such as a hard marriage and raising children by herself. Her ex-husband, Lancelot Owens Sr., was additionally troubled by a drug addiction problem. Nevertheless, Rita worked hard for the family. She nurtured her children with much love, insisting on teaching them the value of hard work and per se resilience.
Rita’s strength and love was an important factor of her children’s lives. She made sure her kids knew how to be strong even in hard times. Queen Latifah often spoke about how her mother’s support and guidance helped shape her into who she became.
Health Battles and Advocacy
Rita Owens was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2013. This is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the connective tissues of the body. Scleroderma has the potential to cause significant health complications. Within the next few years, Rita’s health deteriorated further. The disease caused heart failure, and Rita’s health kept becoming more delicate.
Queen Latifah was very close to her mom and therefore took up the role of being supportive when she struggled with the disease. In addition to playing the daughter, she became an advocate for awareness regarding scleroderma. She spoke about the disease on her platform and made people aware in the hopes of leading others who suffered from similar conditions into a more powerful position.
Rita proved to be a pillar of strength for her family even during her illness. Queen Latifah honors her mother’s memory by still fighting for the illness and spreading the word about what living with this illness throws into people’s lives.
Legacy of Rita Owens
Rita Owens died on March 21, 2018, at age 68. Queen Latifah never truly had a better mother; Rita was the best success story for her. She often tended to attribute her success to her mother. Therefore, Queen Latifah was grateful for all of Rita’s guidance and for the sacrifices she was willing to make for their children.
Even in death, Rita Owens was able to stay in Queen Latifah’s heart and life. Queen Latifah remains to talk about her mother’s strength and love that keeps her mother’s memory alive at work and through her work.
Rita’s resilience, love lessons, and education will forever be in the heart of Queen Latifah to dictate her actions.
READ ALSO: Queen Latifah Net worth, Age, Partner, Family, Facts & More
Queen Latifah’s Personal Life
Queen Latifah, actually named Dana Owens, has always been open about how much her family means to her. Even with her fame, she had kept her private life close to her heart. Since around 2013, Queen Latifah has been in a long-term relationship with choreographer Eboni Nichols. The couple, in 2019, welcomed their son, Rebel, into the world. During her 2021 BET Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech, Queen Latifah first publicly acknowledged her son.
Queen Latifah values her family and keeps them close, just like her mother. The connection between Queen Latifah and her mother has had a lasting effect on her, both in her personal life and her public career.
Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com
