Snoop Dogg is famous for his music, but his role as a grandfather shows a different side of him, one filled with joy, loss, and deep love for his family.
Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., Snoop Dogg has created a career that goes beyond just music; he is also a committed family man. He has been married to Shante Broadus since 1997 and is a father to four children: Corde, 30; Cordell, 27; Cori, 25; and Julian, 26, from a previous relationship.
Over the years, Snoop’s family has expanded, and he is now a proud grandfather, with each grandchild holding a special place in his heart. He is particularly devoted to keeping the memory of one grandchild who passed away alive, ensuring that their legacy continues in the family.
In 2007, Snoop shared his family values while promoting his reality show, “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood,” which aimed to show the less visible side of hip-hop artists as family men.
Speaking to “People,” Snoop said, “I have kids, and I always play my music for them. I like to know what they like. They think I’m old, but I feel young.”
Looking back on his journey as a father, he said, “Ninety percent of rappers grew up without fathers, but most of them become fathers to their kids. We don’t often get credit for that. We become real men when we reach this point in our lives.”
The coach for Season 26 of “The Voice” has stayed actively involved with his family as it has grown. In a 2015 interview with “Today,” he humbly rated himself as “about a 7-plus” as a father, noting areas where he wants to improve.
“My relationship with my kids is more important than anything. It’s a friendship… it’s based on me being a father, a mentor, and a friend,” he said.
When asked about being a grandfather, Snoop said he planned to be a lenient one, describing himself as a “gullible, get-away-with-everything kind of grandpa.”
Recalling his first experience as a grandparent, he shared, “It’s just a spark of joy to look into his eyes and hold him. I thank my oldest son for making me a grandfather.”
Snoop Dogg’s extended family is a big part of his life. In January 2024, he talked about his grandkids on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” explaining how each grandchild calls him “Papa Snoop.” This name comes from a nickname his oldest grandson gave him when he was little.
Snoop said, “[My grandkids are] different ages and sizes, but I love them all the same. Actually, my oldest [grandson’s] birthday is today, so I’m on my way to his birthday party.”
He remembered how his oldest grandchild first called him “Papa Noop” because he couldn’t say “Snoop” properly at first.
After his family grew, Snoop faced the tragic loss of one grandchild, which has deeply affected him and his family.
In September 2019, Snoop’s grandson, Kai Love, passed away just 10 days after birth. Snoop shared a heartfelt message on social media, reposting a note that read, “If you’re facing something you don’t understand: Choose to trust God. Remember all He has done for you. His ways are higher than ours. He is always good.”
The post showed Snoop’s faith during his family’s sorrow and received many supportive comments from followers.
One user wrote, “I’m so sorry for your loss. Children are precious gifts from God, but sometimes he takes them back… sweet little Kai RIP… God bless and comfort all who love him….” Another added, “Sorry for your [loss]. God Bless=.” A third user said, “Prayers for you and your family.”
Kai’s parents, Snoop’s son Corde Broadus and his wife, Soraya Love, were heartbroken by the loss. On what would have been Kai’s fourth birthday, Soraya posted a touching tribute on Instagram, sharing her grief and newfound purpose.
“Happy heavenly birthday to my 1st son Kai Love who passed away on 9-15-2019,” she wrote, explaining the pain of losing a child due to a heart defect. Soraya added, “…I know God used this painful time in our lives to help me reach out to others in need of faith and self-awareness.”
Soraya’s post also described how losing her son motivated her to lead a life dedicated to wellness, spirituality, and supporting the community.
Kai’s legacy inspired Corde and Soraya to start the “Kai Heart Foundation,” which aims to spread love and healing through community support.
In a March 2024 post, Soraya shared, “We would love to partner with organizations that help heal, educate, and assist people with LOVE. This is our purpose, and we want to keep giving back to the community.”
In December 2022, Soraya explained, “I started the Kai Heart Foundation in 2019 after my son Kai passed away from a heart defect. He inspired me to help others through acts of LOVE and a healthy lifestyle.”
She expressed gratitude for the guidance she felt from Kai and her faith, inviting support from the community. “Today was magical. Love you all, and if you want to donate for the next event, let me know.”
After experiencing both joy and sadness with the loss of baby Kai, Snoop has continued to embrace his growing family, with each grandchild bringing unique joy and purpose into his life.
Snoop first became a grandfather in January 2015 when his grandson, Zion Kalvin Broadus, was born to Corde and his then-girlfriend Jessica Kyzer.
Proud of this new role, Snoop posted a video saying, “Proud grandad. My son spank n grandson Zion!!Jah bless.” Zion, now 9 years old, is a constant reminder of the family’s growth and Snoop’s commitment to being “Papa Snoop.”
In August 2018, Snoop’s family grew again with the birth of Elleven Love Broadus, Corde’s daughter with Soraya.
Soraya celebrated Elleven’s fifth birthday in 2023 with an emotional Instagram post, writing, “HAPPY 5th BORN DAY TO MY 1st BORN E11EVEN this little Queen taught me how to be a mom when I didn’t know how to change a diaper.”
Elleven brought healing and love into Soraya’s life, adding to Snoop’s family legacy.
In March 2019, Cordoba Journey Broadus was born to Snoop’s son Cordell and his wife Phia. Now 5, Cordoba has shared special moments with Snoop, including attending a Chanel fashion show with him in May 2023.
In February 2021, Snoop welcomed another grandchild, Sky Love Broadus, who is Corde and Soraya’s third child. Shante Broadus, Snoop’s wife, posted about her excitement, saying, “I’m so happy my 5th grandbaby boy was born today .”
In March 2021, Cordell and Phia welcomed their daughter, Chateau Broadus. Shante celebrated her arrival, saying, “I Was Down Earlier But She Just Took All Of That Away My 6th GrandBaby Girl #ChateauBroadus .”
In May 2023, Snoop introduced his youngest grandchild, Symphony Sol, on Instagram, sharing his excitement for the new addition to the family.
Through all the joy and heartache, Snoop Dogg’s love for his family shines brightly. Each grandchild not only represents a new member of the Broadus family but also a legacy of love, strength, and togetherness.
From his own children to his many grandchildren, Snoop’s commitment to family remains strong, grounding him and keeping him connected to his roots as “Papa Snoop.”
Think you know her? You might want to take a seat before discovering who she really is
Joan van Ark was born on June 16, 1943, in New York City, far from the world of entertainment. Her life took a significant turn during her teenage years while acting in Denver, where she met actress Julie Harris, who would greatly influence her career. Julie encouraged Joan to apply to the prestigious Yale Drama School and even helped her secure a scholarship, making Joan the second woman ever to enroll there.
Joan recalled: “Harris wrote to the dean and asked him to meet me. Long story short, my parents drove me to New Haven, Connecticut, where the dean awarded me a scholarship. It felt destined”. After honing her skills in theater, Joan shifted her focus to television, where she starred in shows like Temperature’s Rising, Spider-Woman, Days of Our Lives, and even made a guest appearance on Bonanza. However, it was her role as Valene Ewing on Dallas in 1978 that propelled her to stardom.
Her success on Dallas led to her starring in its spin-off, Knots Landing, which was actually developed before Dallas. Initially, Joan was set to join the Knots Landing cast, but she ended up reprising her role on Dallas first. It was her husband, newscaster John Marshall, who encouraged her to accept the role despite her busy schedule. When it was announced that Julie Harris would play Val’s mother, Joan was thrilled. “I couldn’t believe they had picked her to be my mother”, she recalled in a 1984 interview.
After 13 seasons and 327 episodes on Knots Landing, Joan left the show just before its final season. While many speculated that her departure contributed to the show’s cancellation, she was ready for new challenges. “I loved my time on that show”, she stated, expressing gratitude to the show’s creator, David Jacobs, and her co-star, Ted Shackelford, who she considered family.
Joan and John, who met in high school, have been happily married for over 58 years and share a daughter, Vanessa Marshall, who works in the entertainment industry. Now at 81, Joan has a net worth of $10 million and remains stunning. She was last spotted five years ago, casually paying for parking in workout attire.
Her most recent appearance was in the 2017 television film Psycho Wedding Crasher. After a remarkable 50-year career in entertainment, Joan van Ark is now a life member of The Actor’s Studio, solidifying her legacy as an icon.
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