Was Barbara Cooke Cursed After Betraying Her Husband Sam With Bobby Womack? The Tragic Lost of Her Two Sons Both Named Vincent

The life of Barbara Campbell Cooke, widow of soul legend Sam Cooke, reads like a story layered with grief, betrayal, and tragedy—one that has long fascinated fans of music history. Behind the glamorous surface of soul’s golden era lies a tale of heartbreak involving two sons named Vincent, a controversial romance, and an almost unbelievable series of misfortunes.

The First Vincent: A Father’s Loss Revisited

In December 1964, the music world was shaken by the untimely death of Sam Cooke, who was fatally shot at the height of his career. Just three months later, Barbara and Sam’s son, Vincent Cooke, drowned accidentally in the family’s Los Angeles swimming pool. The child was only 18 months old. For Barbara, still reeling from the loss of her husband, the tragedy deepened the darkness that had suddenly consumed her life.

The Second Vincent: A Different Tragedy

Barbara later remarried in 1967, choosing none other than Bobby Womack—Sam Cooke’s close friend and protégé. Together they had a son, Vincent Womack, born in 1966. But the shadow of tragedy struck again. At just 20 years old, Vincent Womack died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The devastating loss marked another heartbreaking chapter in Barbara’s family history.

Scandal, Betrayal, and Family Turmoil

Barbara’s relationship with Bobby Womack ignited scandal from the start. Many fans and friends of Sam Cooke saw the marriage as a betrayal, coming so soon after his death. The situation grew even more complicated when it was revealed that Barbara’s daughter with Sam, Linda Cooke, became romantically involved with Bobby as well. The entanglement of love, loyalty, and betrayal reached a breaking point when Barbara reportedly shot Bobby after discovering the affair between him and Linda. Though he survived, the family was left in disarray, its reputation forever clouded by scandal.

A Curse or Consequence?

Some have asked whether Barbara was cursed—punished by fate for the choices she made after Sam Cooke’s death. Two sons, both named Vincent, both lost under tragic circumstances. A family torn apart by grief and betrayal. Whether one believes in curses or not, the string of tragedies surrounding Barbara’s life has fueled speculation and fascination for decades.

What is certain is that Barbara Campbell Cooke lived through extraordinary highs and unimaginable lows. She was connected to one of the greatest voices in music history, but her own story became defined by scandal, heartbreak, and the haunting question of whether her family’s suffering was simply tragic coincidence—or something more.