# At 84, Dionne Warwick Confesses: “He Was the Only One Who Could Do That To Me”

At 84, Dionne Warwick, the timeless voice of soul and pop, opens up about a figure who profoundly impacted her: Frank Sinatra. Born Marie Dionne Warrick on December 12, 1940, in East Orange, New Jersey, Warwick grew up in a musical dynasty.

Her mother managed the Drinkard Singers, a renowned gospel group, and her father nurtured her love for arts. Surrounded by powerful voices, she formed a gospel ensemble with sister Dee Dee and aunt Cissy Houston. Cousins Whitney Houston and Dee Dee Warwick further enriched this legacy, inspiring Warwick’s pursuit beyond church walls.

Her journey began as a session singer at Hartt College of Music in Connecticut. In the early 1960s, she met Burt Bacharach and Hal David, sparking a legendary partnership. Their songs showcased her precision and warmth, launching hits like “Don’t Make Me Over” (1962), “Walk on By,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose.”

Warwick redefined pop and soul, selling over 100 million records and topping Billboard charts with her mezzo-soprano voice that blended elegance and emotion.

The 1970s brought evolution under Clive Davis at Warner Bros. and Arista. Tracks like “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” and “Deja Vu” earned Grammys. A 1985 collaboration with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder on “That’s What Friends Are For” raised AIDS awareness, highlighting her humanitarian spirit. She partnered with Isaac Hayes, Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, and Jeffrey Osborne, transcending genres.

Warwick’s advocacy shines: appointed UN Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization in 2002, she fought hunger, HIV/AIDS stigma, racial inequality, and poverty. Music became her tool for change, touring globally and introducing her artistry to new generations.

Personal life added depth. In 1966, she married actor-drummer William Elliott, divorcing in 1967 but remarrying in Milan, Italy, that year. Sons David (1969) and Damon (1973) followed, both musicians—David a drummer-vocalist, Damon a Grammy-winning producer. The marriage ended in divorce in 1975, marking a turbulent chapter that shaped her resilience.

At 84, Warwick confesses Sinatra was unique: “He was the only one who could do that to me.” Admiring his confidence and emotional depth, she noted how his presence shifted rooms and his advice—”Don’t let them put you in a box”—guided her. Sinatra made her feel seen, lifting her musically and personally. “He believed in me in a way very few did,” she says. Even among icons like Bacharach, Sinatra’s influence stood apart, inspiring her to connect deeply through music.

Warwick’s confession reveals vulnerability beneath her grace, affirming that even legends have heroes. Sinatra wasn’t just a star; he moved her eternally.