When people look into Snoop Dogg's family background, they're usually searching past the stage persona to find the real people who shaped Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. Behind decades of multi-platinum albums, Olympic torch-bearing, and cooking shows lies a complex network of parents, siblings, and children that built his foundation. While public profiles often skim the surface, the true story of his family involves single-parent resilience in Long Beach, complex paternal relationships, and a lasting marriage that survived intense public scrutiny.
Understanding Snoop Dogg's family tree means looking past rumors and press releases to examine official records, personal interviews, and biographical details. From his mother's steady guidance to his four children and famous cousins, this deep dive uncovers the real structure of his family lineage.
The Parents: Beverly Tate and Vernell Varnado
Snoop Dogg was born on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California, to Beverly Tate and Vernell Varnado. His parents split shortly after he was born, leaving his mother to raise him primarily as a single parent.
Beverly Tate, who later used the name Beverly Broadus Green, worked as an author and evangelist. She anchored the household and introduced a strong spiritual foundation that Snoop has credited throughout his life. She passed away in 2021, a loss the rapper frequently speaks about with deep emotion.
His biological father, Vernell Varnado, was a singer, mail carrier, and veteran who served in the Vietnam War. Though absent during much of Snoop's day-to-day childhood, Varnado maintained a relationship with his son as he grew older, occasionally joining him on stage or in interviews. Snoop's stepfather, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Sr., married Beverly in 1970 and provided the rapper's birth name and last name, though they divorced years later.
Siblings and Extended Relatives
As the only child born to Beverly and Vernell, Snoop grew up alongside maternal half-brothers.
- Jerry Wesley Carter: Snoop's older half-brother, who has largely stayed out of the public eye.
- Bing Worthington: A younger half-brother who worked behind the scenes in the music industry and business ventures before passing away in 2024.
The rapper's extended family also includes high-profile entertainment figures. Most notably, singer and songwriter Ray J is Snoop Dogg's first cousin on their mothers' side. Despite growing up in different households, the musical talent runs deep across multiple branches of the extended family tree.
Marriage to Shante Broadus and Children
Snoop married his high school sweetheart, Shante Taylor, in June 1997. While their marriage weathered high-profile strains, brief separation filings, and intense media attention in the mid-2000s, the couple renewed their vows and remains together today.
Together, Shante and Snoop share three children:
- Corde Broadus: Born in 1994, an entrepreneur and father who has made Snoop a grandfather multiple times.
- Cordell Broadus: Born in 1997, a former UCLA football player who transitioned into fashion, film, and digital asset ventures.
- Cori Broadus: Born in 1999, an R&D artist and entrepreneur who has openly shared her personal health journeys with lupus and mental health awareness.
Snoop also has a fourth child, Julian Corrie Broadus, born in 1998 from a previous relationship outside his marriage to Shante. Julian pursued real estate and business rather than stepping into the entertainment industry.
Tracing Public Records vs. Reality
Genealogical research on public figures often runs into roadblocks due to missing municipal archives, unverified rumors, and misfiled courthouse records. For instance, early biographical accounts sometimes muddle his birthplace or early childhood relocations between Lynwood and Long Beach.
Official documentation from California vital statistics and census data confirm his upbringing under his mother's care in Long Beach, anchoring his roots firmly in the West Coast community that defined his early musical style. According to official Snoop Dogg news, the artist frequently highlights how his upbringing in these neighborhoods informed his community activism and youth football coaching initiatives. Additional insights into music history and cultural impact can be found via archival retrospectives on platforms like Billboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Snoop Dogg an only child?
He was the only child born to his biological parents, Beverly Tate and Vernell Varnado. However, he has half-brothers from his mother's subsequent relationships.
Who is Snoop Dogg's biological father?
His biological father is Vernell Varnado, a veteran and musician, though he was raised primarily by his mother and stepfather, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Sr.
How long has Snoop Dogg been married to Shante Broadus?
They married in June 1997. Despite a brief filing for divorce in 2004, they reconciled and renewed their vows, maintaining a partnership spanning nearly three decades.
How many grandchildren does Snoop Dogg have?
As of recent family updates, Snoop is a grandfather to multiple grandchildren through his children, frequently sharing moments with them on social media.
