Ruth Esther Pointer, born on March 19, 1946, is a prominent American singer-songwriter celebrated as the eldest member of the iconic vocal group The Pointer Sisters. The group formed in 1972 and made their debut with their first album in 1973. They quickly garnered attention with hits like "Yes We Can Can" and the country crossover sensation "Fairytale" in 1974. After Bonnie Pointer's departure in 1977, Ruth, alongside her sisters, continued to thrive, achieving significant success with popular tracks including "Fire" (1978), "He's So Shy" (1980), and "Slow Hand" (1981).
The pinnacle of their success came with the 1983 album *Break Out*, which featured chart-topping hits such as "Automatic" and "Jump (For My Love)." Ruth's dynamic lead vocals contributed to the group's acclaim, earning them two Grammy Awards. Alongside her sister Anita, Ruth remains active in the music scene, and in 1994, The Pointer Sisters were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In addition to her music career, Ruth lent her voice to the character Rita in Disney's *Oliver & Company*, performing "Streets of Gold." In 2021, she showcased her talent on season six of *The Masked Singer* as "Cupcake," originally intended to perform with Anita, who was unable to join due to health issues.
Ruth Pointer has been married five times and is a mother to five children, including singer Malik and Issa Pointer, who has also performed with the group.
