How was etta James family life?

Etta James had a troubled family life. Her parents were both teenagers when she was born, and her father soon left the family. Her mother struggled to make ends meet and often left Etta in the care of her grandparents. Etta was also sexually abused by her cousin when she was a child. These experiences contributed to Etta's development of addiction and mental health problems later in life. She said she would sing to escape the harsh realities of her home life.

Despite her difficult upbringing, Etta was able to find success in the music industry. She became one of the most popular and influential soul singers of her time. Even so, her personal life continued to be troubled. She struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism, and she had several failed relationships. She never had any children of her own.

In her later years, Etta James found some peace and stability in her life. She became a born-again Christian and worked to overcome her addictions. She also wrote an autobiography, titled "Rage to Survive." Etta James died in 2012 at the age of 73.