DEBARGE FAMILY
African American-White-American Indian
Quick Facts
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DeBarge Family — heritage & background
Quick answer: Yes, the DeBarge family is mixed race. The family consists of the children of Etterlene DeBarge (née Abney), an African American and American Indian gospel singer, and Robert Louis DeBarge Sr., a White American soldier of French and English descent. Their ten children represent a mixed-race family heritage.
Is the DeBarge Family Mixed Race?
Yes, the DeBarge family is mixed race with African American, European American, and American Indian heritage. The family was formed by the marriage of Etterlene DeBarge (née Abney), an African American and American Indian gospel singer, and Robert Louis DeBarge Sr., a White American soldier of French and English descent. This interracial marriage created a mixed-race family that became prominent in the music industry.
The DeBarge family represents an important historical moment in American race relations, as their prominence as musicians came during and after the Civil Rights era when interracial families faced social stigma and legal obstacles in many parts of America. The family settled in Detroit, Michigan, in a predominantly Black neighborhood, where they raised ten children who became musically talented and culturally influential.
The DeBarge family's mixed-race heritage was sometimes complicated by family dynamics and public misconceptions, with erroneous rumors about Puerto Rican heritage emerging after their mother's second marriage to a Puerto Rican man, George Rodriguez.
What Is the DeBarge Family's Ethnicity? Mixed African American-European American-American Indian Heritage
The DeBarge family's ethnicity encompasses African American, European American (French and English descent), and American Indian traditions. The family's mixed heritage created a unique family culture where multiple racial and ethnic traditions coexisted and informed the family's identity, music, and social positioning.
The ethnicity that defines the DeBarge family includes African-American cultural traditions, music, religious practices, and community values; European American traditions through the paternal line; and American Indian heritage through the maternal line. This multicultural heritage provided a distinctive perspective and contributed to the family's musical talents and artistic expression.
The DeBarge family's prominence as musicians meant their mixed-race identity became publicly visible during a period when interracial families remained controversial in American society. Their success demonstrated the talent and cultural contributions of mixed-race families while also exposing them to scrutiny and misunderstanding.
Mother's Side: African American and American Indian Heritage
Etterlene DeBarge (née Abney, 1935-2024) was an African American and American Indian gospel singer. She represented both African American and Native American heritage, bringing both traditions into the family. Etterlene's role as a mother and gospel singer placed her within African-American religious and musical traditions while also maintaining connections to American Indian heritage.
Etterlene's parents were also of African American and Native American descent, representing multigenerational mixed heritage within the Abney family. Her work as a gospel singer connected her family to African-American religious and musical traditions, which became central to the DeBarge family's musical foundation.
Etterlene's leadership in maintaining family values and cultural traditions was crucial to the DeBarge family's identity. She married Robert Louis DeBarge Sr. in 1953, creating one of the most significant interracial partnerships in American music history.
Father's Side: European American Heritage (French and English)
Robert Louis DeBarge Sr. (1932-2009) was a White American soldier of French and English descent. He served in the military and married Etterlene DeBarge, an African American and American Indian woman, in 1953. Their marriage was interracial at a time when such marriages were illegal in many parts of America.
Robert's French and English heritage contributed to the family's European ancestry. The DeBarge surname has German origins, though the family represented French and English descent through Robert's parents and ancestors.
Robert's role as a father created the context for the DeBarge children's mixed-race identity and their experience growing up as biracial children in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Detroit during the Civil Rights era.
The Ten DeBarge Children: A Mixed-Race Siblings Unit
The DeBarge family had ten children:
- Etterlene "Bunny" DeBarge (born March 10, 1955) - Eldest daughter
- Robert Louis "Bobby" DeBarge Jr. (born March 5, 1956) - Eldest son
- William Randall DeBarge (born August 6, 1958) - Known as Randy
- Mark "Marty" DeBarge (born June 19, 1959)
- Eldra Patrick "El" DeBarge (born June 4, 1961) - Most famous member
- James Curtis DeBarge (born August 22, 1963)
- Jonathan Arthur "Chico" DeBarge (born June 23, 1966)
- Carol DeBarge
- Darrell DeBarge
- Tommy DeBarge
These ten children shared the same mixed-race heritage and grew up together in Detroit, forming the basis for the musical group DeBarge that became famous.
The DeBarge Music Group
The DeBarge family formed the musical group DeBarge, which became successful from the late 1970s through the 1980s. The group's success represented the musical talents that emerged from their mixed-race family. Key members included El DeBarge, Bobby DeBarge, Randy DeBarge, Marty DeBarge, Chico DeBarge, and Bunny DeBarge.
DeBarge's music blended R&B, soul, and pop influences, creating contemporary urban music that resonated with broad audiences. Their success demonstrated how mixed-race families contributed to American music and culture.
Erroneous Puerto Rican Heritage Rumors
An important clarification: the DeBarge family is NOT Puerto Rican. After Etterlene's marriage ended with Robert Louis DeBarge Sr., she later married George Rodriguez, a Puerto Rican man. This second marriage led to erroneous rumors and public misconceptions that the DeBarge family was partially Puerto Rican.
This misunderstanding persisted in some sources, but the actual ethnic composition of the DeBarge family core—the ten children—is African American, European American (French-English), and American Indian, NOT Puerto Rican.
Nationality vs. Ethnicity
The DeBarge family members are American by nationality, born and raised in the United States. Their ethnicity is mixed, encompassing African American, European American, and American Indian heritage. The distinction between their American nationality and their mixed-race ethnic heritage reflects the complex American racial landscape and the reality of multiracial American families.
Siblings' Distinct Paths
While the DeBarge siblings shared common heritage, their individual paths diverged. El DeBarge became the most famous, achieving solo success as a singer and producer. Other siblings maintained their involvement in music or pursued different careers. Their shared mixed heritage created family bonds while also allowing for individual identity development.
DeBarge Family in Their Own Words
While extensive documented public statements from all DeBarge family members about their mixed heritage are limited, their music and their family relationships suggest pride in their multicultural identity and their African-American community participation.
Are the DeBarges Alive?
Most DeBarge family members are alive, though some have passed away. Etterlene DeBarge passed away in 2024. El DeBarge and other siblings continue to live and work in various capacities.
Visual Family Tree
DeBarge Children
(10 siblings, 1955-1966) Mixed Race Heritage African American-White- American Indian
Etterlene DeBarge
(née Abney) African American & American Indian Gospel Singer (1935-2024)
Robert Louis DeBarge Sr.
(White American) French-English Descent Soldier (1932-2009)
Sources
EthniCelebrity Research Team
Ethnicity & Heritage Writers
Our team specialises in researching and documenting the ethnic backgrounds, nationality, and ancestry of public figures — drawing on genealogical records, interviews, and verified biographical sources.