Life Of Drake’s Mother Sandi Graham: Some Untold Facts About Her

A former teacher and florist Sandi Graham (nee Sher) is the mother of rapper and Degrassi actor Drake. Born on January 28, 1960, Sandi celebrated her 63rd birthday with her popstar son.

Drake’s parents, especially her mom — have featured prominently in his life and he is not afraid to sing her praises.

Here is everything you need to know about Sandi Graham. En route, also know about her and her famous son’s struggle; how the two managed on their own, their life after fame, and much more.

Quick Facts

Sandi Graham Is From An Ashkenazi Jewish Family

Graham was born on January 28, 1960, to a Jewish-Canadian family (an Ashkenazi Jewish background). Her mother, Evelyn Sher, passed away on Thanksgiving Day in 2012. Sandi’s son, Drake was extremely close to her.

Paying a tribute to her, Sandi’s son opened a sports and entertainment club after her named Called the SherClub in his home city of Toronto, Canada. A year earlier, Sandi had lost a brother in 2011.

Kevin Mimms after doing a commercial video with Drake

Graham was an English teacher for most of her son’s early life. She also worked as a florist, at times. Her father, Rueben Sher was the biggest sports fan, according to Drake.

Sandi Graham Married An American Drummer From Tennessee

Sandi and her husband Dennis Graham met in a bar where Dennis was working. Her ex-spouse, Dennis is a Memphis-born former drummer and a practicing Catholic from Memphis, Tennessee.

Graham’s former husband comes from a musical family in Memphis and had been a drummer for artist/rock and roll trailblazer, Jerry Lee Lewis at one point. He relocated to Toronto in the eighties and met Sandi at a nightclub called Club Bluenote, again the place where he was an employee.

They later divorced when Drake was only five years old. Drake in an interview revealed his father’s early careering was the primary reason behind his separation from Sandi.

Ms. Graham got full custody of Drake after the separation. The mother-son duo then remained in Toronto while Dennis moved back to Memphis. Graham raised her son mostly in Weston Road in Toronto, a working-class west side of the city.

Sandi Graham Wanted Serena Williams To Be Her Daughter-in-law

In Aug 2014, amidst the rumors about Drake and Rihanna’s rekindled romance, a Hollywood Life report said Sandi Graham was thinking Wimbledon star Serena Williams was “the one” for him. At the time, the tennis player had been reported to have a thing with the rapper.

A source then told Drake and his mother are really tight and like the good mensch, he is, he listens to her. The source further added Sandi wasn’t really thinking of anyone good for Drake, but if she had to choose one woman he’s been with it would be Serena, Sandi loved her athleticism and said she’s a sweet and wholesome girl.

That, however, is a ship that has long sailed as Williams is now married to Alexis Ohanian and Drake himself is dating model Johanna Leia.

Graham’s Grandchildren

In 2017, Sandi Graham and her ex-husband, Dennis Graham became grandparents when Drake’s girlfriend, Sophie Brussaux, gave birth to her son Adonis Graham. At first, Sandi’s son, Drake was unsure whether Adonis was his child. However, a paternity test later proved that the child was indeed Drake’s. born through his brief romance with Sophie.

Sandi Graham Had A Hip Surgery

In an interview with Complex in November 2011, Drake revealed about his mother, Sandi’s surgery on her spine. The highest-certified digital singles artist explained how his mom’s head was separating from her spine.

Fortunately, the doctors were able to reinforce it, and Drake later reported Graham was all healthy and “looking younger than ever, moving better than ever.” Sandi’s famous son then sent her to Rome, a vacation, which she then hadn’t taken in 22 years.

Drake had even canceled his European tour to look after his mother.

Sandi Tried To Run Away

Back in 2009, Graham’s son explained one of the lyrics from Successful took inspiration from his family drama and uncertainty about his future in music.

Recalling the dark time, Champagne Papi said,

“When I was going through the creative process for So Far Gone, I was actually at a pretty dark place in my life. It was a frustrating time for my family, because my grandmother — who is now in her mid- to late 90s — was just losing it. It was hard for my mother to watch. And it was just, it was really at a point where it was like, Is this rap thing going to work? Like, Is this my choice? Is this what I am committing to?”

Drake explained Degrassi had ended years ago, and the family was just trying to figure stuff out. The singer added his mother was going through a rough time. Eventually, it became too much for her and one night she broke down and tried to actually run away from the house, “tried to leave it all behind.”

Drizzy had forgotten something in his car. He thus came outside and saw bags sitting by his mom’s car. The mother and the son looked at each other, and Sandi just started crying right away when she saw him.

Sandi Graham Had Arguments With Her Son Regarding His Spending Habit And Her Smoke Addiction

It is believed Sandi developed a terrible smoking habit due to her past hardships and is constantly on pain medication.

From the hard times of So Far Gone, Drake mentioned his fallout with his mom about his spending and her smoking problem in “Take Care.” In Nothing Was the Same, Sandi’s son called out his mother for wanting to live alone in her apartment and rejected the notion that she preferred solitude because of her illness.

In 2015’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, the 6-God rhymed the tables had turned and that it was his music career that kept him away from Sandi. He explained his success had come at a cost; he had less time for personal connections. However, despite communicating less, the More Life singer said his relationship with his mom remained the same.

The Feud Between Sandi’s Son And Her Ex-Husband

Drake’s father, Dennis Graham, is still present in his son’s life. Dennis had previously received incarceration for drug use but was let go later. The four-time Grammy winner has rhymed about his father being absent for most of his life on several of his songs.

Dennis, however, claimed that Drake presented him as an absentee father just to “sell records.” Sandi’s son later responded stressing that he would say anything to anyone that’s willing to listen to him.

Sandi Graham’s Net Worth

Unlike her son, Graham’s net worth is around $1 million. Similarly, her son Drake has a net worth of $250 million.

Read all about Drake’s ex-girlfriend, Crystal Westbrooks 

Fun Facts

1. Drake Has Talked About His Mom, Sandi In Several Of His Songs like Successful, Must Hate Money, Look What You’ve Done, You & The 6.
2. Sandi tried to find a partner for her son. She wanted Serena Williams as her daughter-in-law.