Roy Rogers, famously dubbed the “King of the Cowboys”, and his spouse Dale Evans, known as the “Queen of the West”, emerged as early luminaries in Hollywood’s nascent television era.
Rogers, celebrated for his role as the singing cowboy alongside his loyal palomino Trigger, ascended to become the preeminent star of Westerns during his time. He starred in more than a hundred films and headlined his own television series, The Roy Rogers Show.
Over the course of his life, Rogers fathered a total of nine children through his marriages with Grace Arline Wilkins and Dale Evans. While some of his offspring followed his footsteps into the entertainment industry, others pursued quieter lives away from public scrutiny. Here’s an individual glimpse into each of Roy Rogers’ children:
Cheryl Rogers: Adopted in 1941 with his second wife, Grace Arline Wilkins, from Hope Cottage in Texas. Cheryl grew up in the presence of her father’s beloved horse Trigger and appeared in several of his films during her childhood, including Meet Roy Rogers and Trail of Robin Hood.
Linda Lou Rogers: Born two years after Cheryl’s adoption to Grace. Linda married Gary Johnson, a minister, and the couple shared over four decades together until his passing in 2008. Linda now resides in California, surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
Roy Rogers Jr. (Dusty): The only biological son of Roy Rogers, born shortly before Grace’s untimely death due to childbirth complications. Dusty made childhood appearances on The Roy Rogers Show and later managed his father’s career. He also performed with the Sons of the Pioneers and formed his band, Roy Rogers Jr. and the High Riders.
Robin Elizabeth Rogers: The only child born to Dale Evans and Roy Rogers, Robin tragically passed away before her second birthday due to complications from the mumps. In her memory, Dale authored the book Angel Unaware.
Dodie Rogers: Adopted at seven months old, Dodie, of Native American heritage, married Jon Patterson, a NASA employee, and they welcomed a daughter named Kristin. Dodie now enjoys her role as a grandmother.
Mimi Rogers: Born Marion Fleming in Edinburgh, Scotland, Mimi was discovered by Roy and Dale in a children’s home due to her exceptional singing talents. She became a cherished member of their family, marrying Dan, a Marine Corps member, with whom she had three children before his passing. Mimi is now a grandmother herself.
Debbie Rogers: Adopted during the Korean War after becoming orphaned, Debbie tragically died at the age of 12 in a bus accident in Los Angeles while traveling with other children from her church.
Sandy Rogers: Adopted following Robin’s passing, John David “Sandy” Rogers later joined the U.S. Army but sadly passed away at age 18 in a choking incident at a military hospital in Germany.
Tom Fox: Dale’s biological son from her previous marriage, Tom was raised by Roy and Dale. He pursued a career as a school teacher and music minister before his passing in 2012.
The saga of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans’ family is marked by a tapestry of happiness, sorrow, and love, emblematic of their enduring family values and profound legacy.
Kids with kids: Where are Britain’s youngest parents now
When the story of then 13-year-old Alfie Patten went viral, then Prime Minister David Cameron stated, “I just thought how worrying that in Britain today children are having children.”
Even before reaching the legal age to buy party poppers, Alfie became the youngest ever father in Britain. It was later determined that another young man, slightly older than Alfie was the real father, and this incident ruined Alfie’s life completely. Even today, he’s facing plenty of issues, including alcohol abuse and problems with the law.
However, the story of Alfie and the girl who gave birth to his alleged daughter isn’t the only one of youngsters becoming parents in Britain.
Tressa Middleton, the youngest mother in Britain, who gave birth to her first daughter at the age of just twelve, recently announced she’s expecting her fourth child.
The now 29-year-old mom shared the news of her pregnancy on the social media by posting a photo of the ultrasound. She welcomed her latest child 17 years after she made headlines for being the youngest mother Britain has ever seen.
“So guys, it’s another girl!!” she captioned her post. “Four girls, I can’t believe it. Good luck, Darren.”
Tressa’s story is a heartbreaking one. Her parents were alcohol and drug abusers and her childhood was a tough one, to say the least.
She fell pregnant at the age of 11 and gave birth at 12, shortly after finishing elementary school.
Following the birth of her daughter, the young mom battled depression and started using drugs and alcohol, which resulted in losing the custody of her girl. The baby was put up for adoption.
The father’s identity was kept a secret until 2009, or three years after Tressa gave birth.
At one point, she broke down and confessed that her daughter was her brother’s who s******y assaulted her from the time she was seven years old.
The 34-year-old Jason was found guilty and sentenced to four years in prison in 2009.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2011, Tressa confessed that “sometimes he blackmailed or bribed me to do it.
“He’d say he was going to tell Mum. He’d give me things – joints, drink, cigarettes. Or he’d threaten me.”
Since then, Tressa has battled to put her life back on track and overcome her addictions, which cost her around £400 every day.
Up until 2011, Tressa was considered to be the youngest mother in Britain. But then, the news of an 11-year-old girl who gave birth filled the headlines.
The girl’s identity was kept a secret, but what is known, as per The Sun, that she was s******y assaulted and her family was unaware of that.
“It has come as a big shock,” a family friend said in 2021 to The Sun.
“She’s now being surrounded by expert help. The main thing is that she and the baby are OK.”
Prior to the case of Alfie, it was Sean Stewart who was thought to be the youngest father in Britain.
In 1998, Sean’s next door neighbor, Emma Webster, 15, got pregnant with his child. At the time, Sean was 11 years old.
A month after turning twelve, Sean’s son, Ben Louis, was born and Sean was granted a day off from school.
Sean and Emma were neighbors and according to her, he would climb to her rooftop to see her.
“He said he was 12, I’d never have gone out with him if I’d known he was 11,” she told The Sunday Telegraph at the time.
Shortly after giving birth, Emma married someone else and moved to a £200,000 house, while Sean continued attending his local school before leaving Bedfordshire in his early adolescence.
According to The Daily Mail, in the early 2000s, he was incarcerated for seven months for stealing.
Speaking of him, Emma said at the time, “I don’t know where Sean is or what he is doing. I don’t want to talk about it anymore because I don’t think it helps Ben.”
No matter how unbelievable these stories sound, the one that is the most shocking of all is that of Lina Medina from Peru who gave birth at the age of just five. Today, Medina is 89 years old.
When she gave birth in 1939, she became the youngest mother in the history. Allegedly, she suffered from “precocious puberty,” a disorder that causes puberty to start earlier than usual.
Teenage couples of a comparable age who have consensual s*x in the UK and are under the legal consent age of 16 are unlikely to face legal action.
But all s****l activity with children under the age of 13 is illegal.
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