Who was Sly Stone married to? All about his wife and kids in wake of funk legend's death at 82
Sly Stone, whose real name is Sylvester Stewart, has passed away at 82. The musician's family members announced his death via a statement shared on Sly Stone Music website and his Instagram account on Monday, June 9, 2025. They mentioned that he was battling health issues, and was surrounded by his three children, closest friend, and loved ones at the time of passing.
Stewart was the frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, the band that helped shape funk music, mixing genres like soul, R&B, rock, psychedelic, and even gospel. The group was also the first major rock group in the country to feature a racially integrated, mixed-gender lineup. Their hits included Dance to the Music, There's a Riot Goin' On, and Everyday People.
On the personal front, Stone married model and actress Kathy Silva in June 1974 and separated two years later. The couple shared a son, Sylvester Jr. The singer was also a father to Sylvyette (now goes by Phunne) and Novena Carmel.
In a statement shared on the musician's official website, his family wrote:
"While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come."
"I didn’t want that world of drugs and weirdness"—Kathy Silva about her life with Sly Stone
Sly Stone was born in Denton, Texas, but grew up in Vallejo, California. According to Pitchfork, he developed an interest in music working as a disc jockey in the 1960s at San Francisco’s KSOL. He would go on to form Sly and the Stoners (later Sly and the Family Stone) in 1966. Its members included three of his younger siblings (Freddie, Rose, and Vet), Larry Graham, Jerry Martini, Cynthia Robinson, and Greg Errico.
The band's pop songs mixed with social commentary were a hit, and the group soon found success. However, over the next decade, drug problems and interpersonal clashes reportedly led to its dissolution.
In June 1974, Sly Stone married Kathy Silva during a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden. Silva is an actress, best known for her appearance in Soylent Green and Switch. They welcomed their son, Sylvester Jr., in late 1973.
In an interview with People magazine published on June 17, 1996, Silva explained that Stone "beat" her and held her "captive." The musician even wanted them to be in a "ménage à trois" arrangement, a domestic s*xual relationship between three people.
"I didn’t want that world of drugs and weirdness," Silva told the media outlet about their time together, however, she recalled, "He’d write me a song or promise to change, and I’d try again. We were always fighting, then getting back together."
Silva left Sly Stone in 1976, after the musician's pit bull mauled Sylvester Jr. (who was 2 at the time), reported the outlet. The actress explained that in the years since their divorce, Stone never "grew out of drugs," adding that he lost his "backbone" and "destroyed his future."
During the same interview, Sylvester Jr. discussed how his father went in L.A.’s Brotman Medical Center "to concentrate on getting healthier." He mentioned that Stone completed his 45-day stay in rehab.
Sylvester Jr., who is a recording engineer now, further said:
"He’s [Stone] had problems because he hasn’t been able to grow up. He’s meant no harm to anyone."
Sly Stone was also a father to Sylevette (now goes by the name Phunne Robinson), whom he shared with former bandmate Cynthia Robinson. Meanwhile, his youngest daughter, Novena Carmel, born in 1982, is a DJ and co-host of KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic program.
Over the years, the three step-siblings have starred in several documentaries and shows that delved into the life and career of Sly Stone. This included Unsung and Dance to the Wolves.
In a February 2025 documentary, Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), which is streaming on Hulu, Sly Stone's three children spoke about their experiences with their father in their childhood. The film suggested that despite being absent during their growing years, the musican reconciled with them in the recent years.
Per the documentary, following years of drug use and at least three rehab stints, Sly Stone finally got clean in 2019. At the time, his addiction landed him in the hospital four times within a few weeks, prompting his doctors to note that his habit would kill him.
In Sly Lives!, Novena explained that as a child she "didn’t have a lot of interaction" with her father. She recalled calling his house when she was 10, only to find Sly Stone was "so out of it" that he didn’t know who she was. Quoting Novena, People magazine wrote:
"I didn’t like it. It was not a good feeling. At that point, I wanted something better for him."
Sylvester Jr. echoed the sentiment, stating he didn't have many "normal" stories with his father. He added that he was aware that Sly Stone's life was spent "under a tremendous amount of pressure." He continued:
"A lot has been taken from him over the years, but I’ve always felt like I know where his soul is coming from and I know where his heart is coming from."
Sylvester Jr., who shares two kids with wife Jessica Stewart, elaborated that the last six years were the "most normal times" he had with his father.
Meanwhile, in the documentary Phunne explained that while Sly Stone was not the most present father, she believed he and Cynthia Robinson shared real love, adding:
"My mom loved him more than any man. She never dated another man after my dad. But he wasn’t always around when I lived with my mom."
Phunne revealed that as a child, she once snorted chalk in an attempt to mimic her dad and her mother was furious. As an adult, she claimed that the drugs helped her "shy" father become "fearless." Phunne also noted that she reconciled with Stone recently, adding that their reunion was emotional, with both crying.
Stone is survived by his three children. This is no official word on his funeral and memorial service as of this writing.
