Teri DeBarge age is one of the most searched details about the producer behind The Bobby DeBarge Story. She was reportedly born in 1970, which makes her roughly 55 to 56 years old in 2026. Her exact birth date is not publicly disclosed.
Most people know her as the widow of Switch frontman Bobby DeBarge. Her story goes further than that label. She raised two sons after losing her husband in 1995. Years later, she pushed to bring his life to television.
Here’s what reliable sources say about her biography, family, career, and money. Where facts are thin, the article says so plainly.
Who Is Teri DeBarge?
Teri DeBarge is an American producer and the widow of singer Bobby DeBarge. She is best known as an executive producer of The Bobby DeBarge Story, a TV One biopic released in 2019.
Bobby was the falsetto lead singer of the Motown funk and soul group Switch. He also helped launch his younger siblings as the family group DeBarge. Teri entered public view through her marriage to him. She later became the person who steered his story onto the screen.
People usually search for her for these reasons:
- Her age and birth year
- Her marriage to Bobby DeBarge
- Her two sons
- Her role behind the 2019 film
- Her estimated net worth
She keeps a private life. Interviews with her are rare, so many online profiles repeat the same few facts. This profile sticks to details that appear across credible entertainment coverage.
Teri DeBarge Wiki and Bio
Teri DeBarge was reportedly born Teri Lee Gayle in 1970 and works as a film producer. The table below sums up what is known and flags what is not.
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Teri Lee Gayle DeBarge (reported) |
| Known as | Teri DeBarge |
| Age in 2026 | About 55 to 56 (reported) |
| Birth year | 1970 (reported) |
| Birth date | Not publicly disclosed |
| Birthplace | Not publicly disclosed |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Producer, executive producer |
| Known for | The Bobby DeBarge Story (2019) |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Spouse | Bobby DeBarge (married December 10, 1990; widowed August 16, 1995) |
| Children | Christian DeBarge and Bobby DeBarge Jr. |
| Net worth | Unverified, Estimated $1 million and $5 million |
| Social media | No verified official accounts confirmed |
Notice how many rows say “not publicly disclosed.” That is normal for someone who rose to fame through family ties instead of a personal entertainment career. Any site that lists her exact height, weight, or birthday with confidence is likely guessing.
Early Life and Background
Little is publicly known about Teri DeBarge’s childhood. Reports say she was born Teri Lee Gayle in 1970, but her hometown, parents, and siblings are not confirmed.
Education is another gap. Some sources claim she left school after marrying Bobby. No school records or interviews confirm that, so treat it as a reported detail only.
Here’s what appears most often in coverage:
- She was born Teri Lee Gayle.
- She reportedly met Bobby in the mid 1980s, when she was about 15 and he was well into adulthood.
- Accounts say Bobby’s former wife, Monique DeBarge, played a part in bringing them together.
- She became a mother in her early twenties.
The age gap draws attention in many profiles. It is worth stating carefully. The facts come from secondhand retellings, not from court papers or her own statements. Responsible writing keeps that distinction clear.
Personal Life and Relationships
Teri DeBarge married Bobby DeBarge on December 10, 1990, and became a widow less than five years later. Bobby died on August 16, 1995, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was 39. Reports link his death to complications from HIV/AIDS.
That left Teri raising two young sons. Reports also say Bobby had earlier been linked to La Toya Jackson, though that history predates his marriage to Teri.
Key Milestones
| Year | Event |
| Mid 1980s | Reportedly meets Bobby DeBarge |
| 1990 | Marries Bobby on December 10 |
| Early 1990s | Welcomes sons Christian and Bobby Jr. |
| 1995 | Bobby passes away on August 16 |
| 2019 | The Bobby DeBarge Story premieres |
Her Family
| Relation | Name | Note |
| Husband | Bobby DeBarge | Switch lead singer, died 1995 |
| Son | Christian DeBarge | Eldest child |
| Son | Bobby DeBarge Jr. | Also called Bobby DeBarge III in some sources |
| Brothers in law | El, Randy, Mark, Tommy, and Chico DeBarge | Members of the famous musical family |
| Sister in law | Bunny DeBarge | Part of the original DeBarge group |
No public record shows Teri remarrying or entering a high profile relationship after Bobby’s death. She has kept her romantic life away from cameras. That choice fits her low profile approach overall.
Career and Achievement
Teri DeBarge’s biggest achievement is serving as executive producer of The Bobby DeBarge Story. The TV One biopic premiered on June 29, 2019.
The idea took years to reach the screen. Reports suggest she began pushing for a project about her late husband around 2008. The film finally arrived more than a decade later. She also handed over personal material that the filmmakers used while shaping the script.
What the Film Covered
The movie explored several chapters of Bobby’s life:
- His musical genius and rise with Switch
- His role in launching the DeBarge family act
- His battle with substance abuse
- His HIV diagnosis and early death
- His family life with Teri and their sons
Singer Lloyd played Bobby in the film. Actress Laila Odom portrayed Teri. Odom reportedly wanted her scenes near the end to show unconditional love, since Teri stood by Bobby as his health declined.
Career Snapshot
| Area | Detail |
| Main title | Executive producer |
| Signature project | The Bobby DeBarge Story (2019) |
| Network | TV One |
| Contribution | Story material, personal insight, creative guidance |
| Other major credits | None confirmed |
Some websites credit her with additional television work. Those claims lack solid sourcing and are not repeated here. Based on verified coverage, her producing legacy rests on one significant project. It still left a mark. The film introduced a new generation to a talented musician whose story had mostly lived inside R&B history books.
Net Worth Overview
Teri DeBarge’s net worth is not publicly verified. Online estimates range from about $1 million to $5 million, and neither figure comes from financial filings.
Why such a wide gap? She is not a major celebrity with disclosed contracts, endorsement deals, or public business records. Most sites copy each other, and one early guess spreads until it looks like fact.
| Source Type | Reported Estimate | Reliability |
| Entertainment bio sites | Around $1 million | Low, no stated method |
| Celebrity wealth sites | Around $5 million | Low, often repeated without proof |
| Official documents | None available | Not applicable |
Think of it like a house price with no listing. You can guess based on the street, but you cannot know the number. A fair reading is that her wealth is likely modest to moderate, tied mostly to her producing work. Treat any exact figure as an estimate.
Major Sources of Income
Her income most likely comes from her producing work and her connection to Bobby DeBarge’s legacy. No public document confirms exact earnings, so every item below is a reasonable possibility, not a proven fact.
- Producer fees: Executive producers on TV movies typically earn fees, although amounts vary widely.
- Story and material licensing: She supplied personal material for the script, which may have carried compensation.
- Music related royalties: Bobby’s catalog with Switch and his work with the DeBarge family still earns streaming revenue. Who receives that money is not publicly stated.
- Private ventures: Any business interests she holds are not disclosed.
Be cautious with sites that list detailed income streams as facts. If a page cannot name a contract, a filing, or an interview, it is guessing.
Luxurious Lifestyle
Teri DeBarge keeps a private lifestyle, and no verified details exist about luxury homes, cars, or travel. She does not post glamorous snapshots or appear in reality shows.
You may see articles describing mansions or designer collections. Check them against these red flags:
- No photos or records back the claim
- The same sentence appears on many sites
- The article names no source or interview
- The details sound generic and fit any celebrity
A quiet life is not a negative. Many people connected to famous families choose distance from fame. Her decision to share Bobby’s story through a film, instead of through tabloid interviews, shows a preference for controlled, meaningful publicity.
Hobbies and Fun Facts
Her personal hobbies are not publicly disclosed. She rarely gives interviews, so details like favorite food or free time habits remain unknown.
Here are the facts that are well supported:
- She was reportedly born Teri Lee Gayle.
- She married Bobby DeBarge on December 10, 1990.
- Her husband led the Motown group Switch before mentoring the family group DeBarge.
- She has two sons, Christian and Bobby Jr.
- Her debut as executive producer arrived in 2019.
- Actress Laila Odom played her on screen.
- The film premiered on TV One.
One small curiosity stands out. The DeBarge family tree is huge, with a large sibling group in Bobby’s generation. Teri married into one of the best known R&B families in America, yet she stayed far from the stage herself.
Future Prospects
No new projects from Teri DeBarge have been confirmed as of October 2026. Still, several paths seem realistic given her history.
- More storytelling: The DeBarge family has many untold chapters, and she holds firsthand knowledge.
- Anniversary content: Milestones tied to Bobby’s music or the film often renew public interest.
- Awareness work: Bobby’s story touches addiction and HIV, topics that still need open conversation.
- Documentary interest: Streaming platforms keep hunting for music family stories.
These are possibilities, not announcements. If she shares news, entertainment outlets would likely report it first. Until then, her future remains as private as her past.
Impact on Social Media
Teri DeBarge’s online impact comes from search interest, not from a large social following. No verified official accounts have been confirmed, so be careful with profiles claiming to be her.
Interest in her tends to rise when:
- The Bobby DeBarge biopic airs or streams again
- A DeBarge family member makes headlines
- Fans revisit Switch and DeBarge music
- Questions about Bobby’s life and legacy trend online
Her real influence is quieter. By putting Bobby’s story on screen, she gave fans a new way to discuss his talent, struggles, and loss. Clips and conversations about the film still circulate among R&B fans in the United States.
A quick tip for readers: always verify a social account through a trusted entertainment outlet before following it.
Teri DeBarge Fast Facts
- She is reportedly born in 1970 and is about 55 to 56 in 2026.
- Her birth name is reportedly Teri Lee Gayle.
- She is an American producer.
- She married Bobby DeBarge on December 10, 1990.
- Bobby died on August 16, 1995, at age 39.
- She has two sons: Christian and Bobby DeBarge Jr.
- She was executive producer of The Bobby DeBarge Story (2019).
- The film aired on TV One.
- Her net worth is unverified, with estimates from $1 million to $5 million.
- No verified social media accounts are confirmed.
FAQs About Teri DeBarge
How old is Teri DeBarge in 2026?
She is reportedly around 55 to 56 years old, based on a 1970 birth year. Her exact birth date is not publicly disclosed.
Who was Teri DeBarge’s husband?
Her husband was Bobby DeBarge, lead singer of the Motown group Switch. They married in 1990, and he died in 1995.
Does Teri DeBarge have children?
Yes, she has two sons, Christian DeBarge and Bobby DeBarge Jr. Both are from her marriage to Bobby.
What is Teri DeBarge known for?
She is known as the executive producer of The Bobby DeBarge Story, a 2019 TV One biopic. She is also known as Bobby DeBarge’s widow.
What is Teri DeBarge’s net worth?
Her net worth is not officially verified. Online estimates range from about $1 million to $5 million.
Conclusion
Teri DeBarge matters to R&B fans because she carried a difficult story into the public eye. She lost her husband young, raised two sons, and later helped turn his life into a national television film. That path took patience and clear purpose.
Her age sits near 55 to 56 in 2026, based on a reported 1970 birth year. Her net worth remains an estimate, and her day to day life stays private. Those gaps are worth respecting. Reliable profiles should separate confirmed facts from rumor, and that standard serves readers best.
If you want to understand her impact, watch The Bobby DeBarge Story and listen to Switch. Together they show why her work still matters.
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