Renowned singer John Legend recently shed light on his modest upbringing in Springfield, Ohio, and the challenges he faced after his mother left the family due to her struggle with depression.
Now 46, Legend resides in a luxurious $6 million home in Los Angeles with his wife, Chrissy Teigen, and their four children. In a reflective interview with the Wall Street Journal, he shared memories of his early years in a humble four-bedroom home in Springfield. This property, where he lived with his parents and three siblings, was last sold for just $43,100 in 2010.
Legend described his childhood as sheltered, having been homeschooled by his mother until he was 11. She did such an excellent job that he skipped two grades, making him two years younger than his classmates when he entered public school at age 11.
However, his life changed dramatically when his parents, Ronald and Phyllis Stephens, divorced after his mother fell into a deep depression following the death of her mother. This period was challenging for Legend, who struggled to adapt to public school due to his younger age. Despite being nicknamed "Doogie" after the TV character Doogie Howser, M.D., his musical talent helped him connect with peers, and he eventually graduated second in his class.
Ronald worked on an assembly line at a local factory, while Phyllis was a full-time homemaker. Both parents also made garments for the family. They nurtured Legend's musical aspirations by providing instruments like a piano and a drum kit.
Legend’s academic prowess earned him a place at the University of Pennsylvania at just 16, where his music career began to flourish. Today, he and Teigen own multiple high-value properties, including a $5.1 million West Hollywood home known for its cozy and contemporary interiors.
Despite his success, Legend remains connected to his roots, revisiting his childhood home in 2016 and sharing a photo with his followers, captioned, "My childhood home in Springfield, OH."
