Zelma Atwood, more widely recognized as Zelma Redding, has lived a life interwoven with music, love, and a commitment to education. Best known as the wife of the legendary soul singer Otis Redding, Zelma’s journey began in Springfield, Illinois, where she was born on April 15, 1945. Her life took a significant turn when she met Otis as a teenager in Macon, Georgia.
The pair’s romance blossomed into a marriage in August 1961, leading to the birth of their four children: Dexter, Demetria, Karla, and Otis III. Tragically, her world was forever altered by Otis’s untimely death in a plane crash in 1967. In the wake of this personal loss, Zelma channeled her energy into preserving her late husband’s legacy.
Alongside her daughter Karla, she founded the Otis Redding Foundation, which focuses on providing music and arts education to the youth in Macon, Georgia. Over the years, Zelma Atwood has been instrumental in ensuring that Otis Redding’s influence remains vibrant, touching new generations through her philanthropic efforts. Today, Zelma, at 79 years old, continues to be a stalwart supporter of the arts and a pillar in her community, with a net worth of approximately $3 million.
Who is Zelma Atwood?
Zelma Atwood, also known as Zelma Redding, is the widow of famous soul singer Otis Redding. She was born on April 15, 1945, in Springfield, Illinois. Zelma met Otis when they were teenagers in Macon, Georgia, and they got married in August 1961. They had four children together: Dexter, Demetria, Karla, and Otis III.
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After Otis passed away in a plane crash in 1967, Zelma worked hard to keep his music alive. She and her daughter Karla started the Otis Redding Foundation, which helps young people learn music and arts in Macon, Georgia. Zelma is 79 years old now and is known for her efforts to support the arts in her community. She is an American citizen and follows Christianity.

Bio\Wiki
Category | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Zelma Redding (formerly Zelma Atwood) |
Date of Birth | April 15, 1945 |
Age | 79 years old |
Place of Birth | Springfield, Illinois, USA |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Father’s Name | James Atwood |
Mother’s Name | Essie Atwood |
Husband | Otis Redding |
Children | Dexter, Demetria, Karla, Otis III |
Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
Weight | 67 kg (147 lbs) |
Net Worth (Estimated) | $3 million |
Nationality | American |
Religion (Estimated) | Christianity |
Profession | Philanthropist, Founder of the Otis Redding Foundation |
Famous For | Widow of Otis Redding, Preservation of his legacy through the Otis Redding Foundation |
Foundation | Otis Redding Foundation, focusing on music and arts education for young people in Macon, Georgia |
Popularity Reason | Preserving Otis Redding’s musical legacy, managing his estate, and continuing his philanthropic work |
Real Name and Ethnicity of Zelma Atwood
Zelma Atwood’s full name is Zelma Redding. She was born on April 15, 1945, in Springfield, Illinois. Zelma is Black, and her parents were James and Essie Atwood. As a child, she grew up in a loving family. When she was a teenager, she met Otis Redding in Macon, Georgia. They fell in love and got married in August 1961.
Zelma and Otis had four children: Dexter, Demetria, Karla, and Otis III. After Otis’s tragic death, Zelma worked hard to keep his music alive. She and her daughter Karla started the Otis Redding Foundation to help young people learn music and arts. Zelma has always been proud of her heritage and her family.
Mother, Father, and Sibling Information
Zelma Atwood was born to James and Essie Atwood. She had a loving family while growing up. Zelma’s father, James, worked hard to provide for the family, and her mother, Essie, took care of the home. Zelma did not have any siblings, so she was the only child.
Her parents always supported her and wanted the best for her. They were very happy when she met Otis Redding and got married to him. Even after Otis passed away, Zelma’s parents were a big support to her. James and Essie Atwood played an important role in Zelma’s life and always encouraged her to follow her dreams. Zelma’s family was very close and shared lots of love and care.
Boyfriend/ Husband of Zelma Atwood
Zelma Atwood’s husband was the famous soul singer Otis Redding. Zelma and Otis met when they were teenagers in Macon, Georgia. They fell in love and got married in August 1961. Otis Redding became very famous for his beautiful singing voice and his songs. Zelma and Otis had a happy family with four children: Dexter, Demetria, Karla, and Otis III.
Sadly, Otis died in a plane crash in 1967. This was a very hard time for Zelma, but she worked very hard to keep Otis’s music alive. She and her daughter Karla started the Otis Redding Foundation to help young people learn about music and arts. Even though Otis is gone, Zelma has kept his memory alive through her work.

Age, Height, Weight, Date of birth and Figure
Zelma Atwood was born on April 15, 1945, in Springfield, Illinois. She is 79 years old now. Zelma stands at 5 feet 6 inches tall, which is 168 centimeters. She weighs about 67 kilograms, which is the same as 147 pounds. Zelma has a healthy figure and takes good care of herself.
She has always been strong and active, especially with all the work she does to keep her husband’s music alive. Zelma’s age, height, and weight show that she is still doing well and staying healthy. She has lived a long life filled with love and dedication to her family and community.
Popularity and its reason
Zelma Atwood is popular because she was married to the famous soul singer Otis Redding. People loved Otis’s music, and they remember Zelma as a big part of his life. After Otis died, Zelma worked very hard to keep his music alive. She started the Otis Redding Foundation with her daughter Karla. The foundation helps young people learn about music and arts.
Zelma is also loved for her kindness and dedication to her community. She has helped many young people through her foundation. People admire her for being strong and for making sure Otis’s music is still remembered today. Zelma’s hard work and love for her family and community make her special and well-liked.
Career of Zelma Atwood
Zelma Atwood has spent much of her life dedicated to preserving her late husband Otis Redding’s legacy. She is not a singer or performer, but she has done a lot to support music and arts education. After Otis Redding passed away, Zelma focused on keeping his music alive. She started the Otis Redding Foundation with her daughter Karla.
The foundation helps young people learn about music and arts in Macon, Georgia. Zelma’s work with the foundation has made a big difference in her community. She helps organize events and programs that teach kids how to play instruments, sing, and appreciate music. Zelma’s career is all about helping others and keeping her husband’s memory and music alive.
Net Worth of Zelma Atwood
Zelma Atwood has worked very hard over the years to keep Otis Redding’s music alive. Because of her dedication and efforts, she has become quite successful. Zelma’s net worth is around $3 million. This money helps her continue the work she does with the Otis Redding Foundation. The foundation helps young people learn about music and arts.
Zelma uses her money to support the foundation and make sure that kids in Macon, Georgia, have opportunities to learn and grow. She has been very smart with her finances and uses them to help others. Even though Zelma is not a singer or performer, she has made a big impact on her community and keeps her husband’s legacy strong.
Nationality and Religion of Zelma Atwood
Zelma Atwood is an American citizen. She was born in Springfield, Illinois, and grew up in the United States. Zelma loves her country and has always been proud to be an American. When it comes to her religion, Zelma follows Christianity. This means she believes in Jesus Christ and goes to church. Her faith is very important to her, and she often prays and reads the Bible.
Zelma’s religion has helped her stay strong, especially after her husband Otis Redding passed away. She believes that her faith gives her hope and strength. Zelma’s nationality and religion are a big part of who she is, and they guide her in her life and her work.
Next Steps and Goals of Zelma Atwood
Zelma Atwood has many dreams for the future. She wants to keep helping kids learn about music and arts. One of her big plans is to make the Otis Redding Foundation even bigger. Zelma hopes to start new programs that reach more young people. She also wants to create more events where kids can show their talents.
Zelma believes that every child should have the chance to learn and have fun with music. She is excited about working with more schools and teachers to help kids. Zelma also wants to write a book about her life with Otis Redding to share their story with the world. She looks forward to continuing her work and making a difference.

Hobbies of Zelma Atwood
- Zelma Atwood enjoys spending her free time on a few simple activities. Some of her favorite hobbies include:
- Reading books: She loves to read different kinds of books.
- Gardening: She enjoys planting flowers and taking care of her garden.
- Cooking: Zelma likes to cook meals for her family and try out new recipes.
- Listening to music: She often listens to Otis Redding’s songs and other soul music.
- Spending time with family: Zelma loves being with her children and grandchildren, sharing stories and playing games.
Interesting Facts About Zelma Atwood
- Zelma Atwood was born in Springfield, Illinois, on April 15, 1945.
- She met Otis Redding when they were teenagers in Macon, Georgia.
- Zelma and Otis got married in August 1961.
- She loves gardening and reading books in her free time.
- Zelma enjoys cooking and trying new recipes.
- She started the Otis Redding Foundation with her daughter Karla.
- Zelma listens to Otis Redding’s songs and other soul music often.
- She has a net worth of around $3 million.
- Zelma is a proud American citizen and follows Christianity.
FAQs
Who is Zelma Atwood? Zelma Atwood is also known as Zelma Redding. She was married to soul singer Otis Redding.
How many children does Zelma Atwood have? She has four children: Dexter, Demetria, Karla, and Otis III.
What is Zelma Atwood’s age? She is 79 years old.
What does the Otis Redding Foundation do? It helps young people learn about music and arts.
Where was Zelma Atwood born? She was born in Springfield, Illinois.
What is Zelma Atwood’s net worth? Her net worth is around $3 million.
Conclusion
Zelma Atwood, also known as Zelma Redding, has had an inspiring life. She met her husband, Otis Redding, as a teenager and they shared a beautiful life together with their four children. After Otis’s tragic death, Zelma worked tirelessly to keep his music alive through the Otis Redding Foundation, helping kids learn music and arts.
She is a proud American and a follower of Christianity. Today, at 79 years old, Zelma continues to support her community and inspire future generations. Her dedication to her family and her husband’s legacy makes her a truly remarkable person.