Shirley Ann Caesar-Williams, known professionally as Shirley Caesar, was born on October 13, 1938, in Durham, North Carolina. From a young age, she showcased her vocal talent, singing for family and friends. By the age of 12, she signed with Federal Records, marking the beginning of her remarkable career in gospel music. At just eighteen, she earned a spot with the Caravans, one of the most prominent gospel groups of the era, where she honed her craft and gained significant recognition.

Caesar remained with the Caravans until 1966, after which she embarked on a successful solo career. The following decades became a golden era for Caesar, as she collaborated with many of the genre’s greatest artists during the 1970s. She produced some of gospel music's most celebrated albums in the 1980s and 1990s, including Rejoice (1980), Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name (1983), I Remember Mama (1989), He’s Working It Out For You (1991), Stand Still (1994), Live… He Will Come (1995), Just a Word (1996), and A Miracle in Harlem (1997).

Entering the new millennium, Caesar continued to achieve success with albums such as Hymns (2001), I Know the Truth (2005), and Still Sweeping Through the City After 40 Years (2008). Over her illustrious career, she has garnered numerous accolades, including eleven Grammy Awards, fifteen Dove Awards, and fourteen Stellar Awards, along with induction into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. She is often regarded as the "First Lady of Gospel Music" and has been crowned "The Queen of Gospel Music" following the passing of the legendary Albertina Walker.

Caesar's influence extends beyond her recorded music; she has shared the stage with greats such as Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, and Faith Evans. She made a notable appearance in the film The Fighting Temptations, alongside Beyoncé Knowles, which further showcased her talent to new audiences. Her impact on the gospel genre is profound, and she has participated in several compilations and gospel musicals, including Mama, I Want to Sing, Sing: Mama 2, and Born to Sing: Mama 3.

In addition to her music career, Shirley Caesar is also a dedicated pastor at the Mount Calvary World of Faith Church in North Carolina. She continues to inspire and uplift through her music and ministry. In 2013, she released her most recent album, Good God, further solidifying her legacy in gospel music.

Caesar's prowess and commitment to her craft have not gone unnoticed on broader platforms. In 2017, she was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy. She has also received the SESAC Lifetime Achievement Award, the Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music, and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In 2016, her contributions to the art were commemorated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrating her status as one of the top-selling gospel artists of all time.