Debraca Denise is the adoptive daughter of Redd Foxx (John Elroy Sanford) and Betty Jean Harris, his second wife. Although Harris is Debraca’s birth mother, her biological father’s identity is unknown. Debraca was born in 1947, so she is currently 77 years old.
Despite being adopted by an actor whose identity was a household name during his time, Debraca Denise has been able to keep her life away from the public. She got a scratch on her father’s career by featuring in some of his TV series while he was alive, yet she did not indulge in the celebrity lifestyle. Irrespective of her efforts to maintain an anonymous lifestyle, the media keeps casting their light on her because of her father, Redd Foxx.
Summary of Debraca Denise’s Bio
- Full name: Debraca Denise Foxx
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 1947
- Debraca Denise’s Age: 77 years old
- Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
- Ethnicity: African-American
- Nationality: American
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Married
- Debraca Denise’s Husband: Ralph Russell
- Debraca Denise’s Parents: Betty Jean Harris (biological mother) and Redd Foxx (adoptive father)
- Famous for: Being Redd Foxx’s adopted daughter
How Old Was Debraca Denise when Redd Foxx Adopted Her?
Debraca Denise was born in 1947 and was nine years old when Redd Foxx, an American stand-up comedian and actor, adopted her. Her adoption followed Foxx’s marriage to her mother, Jean Harris, a singer, and a clubhouse dancer, in 1956. Before her adoption, Denise was born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, to a man whose identity is unavailable to the public.
By birth, Debraca Denise’s nationality is American, and her ethnicity is African-American. She is the only child of her mother and Redd Foxx, as he has no other biological or adopted siblings. She grew up under the care of her mother and stepfather. She is known for her preference for privacy and for maintaining a considerable distance from media attention despite being related to the late comedy icon and TV star.
Consequently, very little information is accessible about her, including details about her education. In this vein, the names and locations of the schools she attended for her primary and secondary education are scarce. There are also no details about whether she attended a university or college.
Did Foxx Get Along With His Adopted Daughter When He Was Alive?
During his lifetime, Redd Foxx had a positive relationship with his daughter, Debraca Denise. Records indicate that they had a solid father-daughter bond and shared many memories. Given that his marriage to Harris lasted for 18 years, it is believed that they enjoyed a significant amount of quality time together.
However, there is no proof that Foxx’s relationship with Debraca became strained after his divorce from Harris.
What Did Redd Foxx’s Adopted Daughter Inherit from Him?
Debraca Denise inherited her father’s estate, estimated to be worth $3.5 million. Unfortunately, she also inherited a substantial tax debt of $3.6 million that her father had accrued due to bankruptcy. Redd Foxx had expended his finances, settling three separate divorce cases, leading to this financial burden.
Despite the break in her parents’ union, Debraca was appointed the executor of her father’s estate, a move that her stepmother, Ka Ho Cho, did not take lightly. Speculations had it that Debraca’s mother, Jean Harris, maneuvered the process to land her daughter the inheritance since she had managed Foxx’s business for over a decade.
It was suggested that she knew the creeks of Foxx’s assets more than anyone else. Nonetheless, Debraca Denise’s mother, Harris, did not respond to the media, making the claims mere speculation. However, the substantial debt Debraca inherited from her father surpasses the estimated value of the estate she received. Consequently, while the estate might enhance her financial well-being, it will still be constrained by the significant debt burden.
Due to his unexpected death on set while still married, Redd Foxx had not drafted a will for his assets. This absence of a will resulted in a bitter dispute between his daughter, Debraca, and his last wife from South Korea, Ka Ho Cho. Foxx’s sudden death was alleged to be caused by heavy smoking and alcohol abuse. Ka Ho Cho accused Debraca of mishandling funds, alleging that she failed to provide proper financial records, including receipts and revenue from royalties and licensing agreements.
Debraca was also accused of misappropriating funds intended for estate taxes. The rift persisted until it eventually faded away. The resolution and reconciliation between Debraca and Kaho Cho remain unclear, as there has been no news or updates on the matter for a long time.
Is Debraca Denise Married?
Yes! Debraca Denise is married, and her marriage has spanned 48 years. In June 1975, she reportedly married Ralph Russel, a successful businessman based in Los Angeles. Their wedding took place in the luxurious Grand Ballroom of the renowned Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Notably, wedding photos revealed that Russell used a wheelchair.
Before then, Debraca reportedly dated Jackie Jackson, a famous musician. However, their relationship was short-lived. Remarkably, it’s been more than four decades since Debraca married Russell, and there have been no reports of them having children. At 77 years old, Debraca has maintained a low profile since her marriage, effectively shielding herself from the constant scrutiny of the media, making it difficult, if not impossible, for them to obtain any recent updates.
What Does Redd Foxx’s Adopted Daughter Do for a Living?
Redd Foxx’s adopted daughter does not have a documented career history. Besides her occasional appearances in her father’s TV series and her role in managing Redd Foxx’s estate, there is no public record of her involvement in any other business ventures.
Debraca Denise has successfully maintained her privacy and confidentiality, making it effortless to keep her personal and business matters away from the media’s attention. She takes pride in this discretion, so her current occupation or activities remain undisclosed. She was appointed the executor of her father’s estate; however, it is not known if she still holds that position, as Redd incurred many debts during his lifetime.
