Warwick in 2011, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Marie Dionne Warrick
Place of Birth: East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of Birth: December 12, 1940
Ethnicity: African-American, with small amount of English/Irish/Scottish
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress, and television show host. She is a U.N. Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a U.S. Ambassador of Health.
Her parents, Arthur Lee (Drinkard) and Mancel Leland Warrick, were both African-American, and she also has a small amount of English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. She is a first cousin of singer Whitney Houston, and a first cousin, once removed, of Whitney’s daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown.
Dionne ranks as the 20th most popular hit-maker of the entire rock era (1955–1999), based on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Charts. According to Billboard Magazine, Warwick ranks second only to Aretha Franklin as the most popular female vocalist, with 56 chart singles on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts from 1962 through 1998.
Dionne’s mother’s sister, singer Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney Houston, stated in an interview that they have Dutch and Native American ancestors. It is not clear if this Dutch and/or Native American ancestry has been verified/documented.
Dionne has two children with her former husband, actor and musician William Elliott.
Dionne’s paternal grandfather was Elzae/Elzie Warrick/Wauvick (the son of John W. Warrick and Emma Key). Elzae was born in Alabama.
Dionne’s paternal grandmother was Juanita Holland (the daughter of Lanson Holland and Clarkey B. Russ). Juanita was born in Florida.
Dionne’s maternal grandfather was Nitcholas Drinkard (the son of John Drinkard, Jr. and Susie/Susan Belle/Bell “Delia” Fuller). Nitcholas was born in Hilton, Early, Georgia. John was the son of John Drinkard and Victoria Hansom.
Dionne’s maternal grandmother was Adelia/Delia Mae McCaskill (the daughter of Stephen McCaskill and Emma L. Houston). Adelia was born in Florida. Stephen was the son of Annie/Ann Hogan, who was black, and likely of John Jett McCaskill, who was white. Emma was the daughter of Oliver Houston and Rachel/Rachael Hill.
Sources: Genealogies of Dionne Warwick –
Dionne’s maternal great-grandparents, John Drinkard, Jr. and Susie/Susan Belle/Bell Fuller, on the 1920 U.S. Census –
Dionne’s maternal grandmother, Adelia/Delia Mae McCaskill, on the 1910 U.S. Census –
Dionne’s maternal great-grandparents, Stephen McCaskill and Emma L. Houston, on the 1900 U.S. Census –
Dionne’s maternal great-grandfather, Stephen McCaskill, on the 1880 U.S. Census –
