The iconic drag queen, RuPaul Charles, shared insights about his upbringing with his mother and sisters in a new memoir titled The House of Hidden Meanings. RuPaul’s mother, Ernestine ‘Toni’ Charles, was born as Ernestine ‘Toni’ Fontenette on July 24, 1927, in Louisiana.
She was a devoted mother to four children, including RuPaul. Ernestine worked at Planned Parenthood in 1970, starting with answering phones and later moving on to counseling. RuPaul expressed how proud his mother was of her job at the nonprofit organization.
RuPaul’s mother was married to Irving Andrew Charles from 1958 to 1967 before their divorce. After the divorce, Ernestine faced a challenging period, but she found a breakthrough by securing a job at Planned Parenthood in 1970.
RuPaul credited this opportunity for being a significant turning point in his mother’s life. In 2020, RuPaul showcased his support for Planned Parenthood by raising $100,000 for the organization during an appearance on The Price is Right.
The popular game show matched and donated the value of the prizes won during the episode. RuPaul’s memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings, is set to be released on March 5, 2024.
The book promises to provide readers with an exclusive glimpse into the journey of the renowned drag queen from his humble beginnings to stardom. Fans can purchase the memoir at various bookstores upon its release date.
