Tales have been heard of celebrity marriages that lasted only a few hours, some days, weeks and months before crashing. Little wonder people have come to accept that perhaps it is a norm that celebrity relationships don’t last. Nonetheless, some celebrity couples have found a way to break the jinx to stand the test of time in their relationship. Here is a list of black couples who have a lasting relationship.
15 Black Celebrity Couples Who Have Lasted Longest
15. Lebron James and Savannah Brinson
- Met in: early 2000s
- Married in: September 14, 2013
- Years of Marriage: 10 years
- Former Spouse: NA
- Children: 3
Basketball players LeBron and Savannah met while they were in high school in the early 2000s. The couple in their dating years welcomed 2 children that include Bronny James (born in 2004), a high school basketball player and Bryce (born in 2007). After their wedding in 2013, the couple welcomed a daughter Zhuri.
14. Beyonce and Jay-Z
- Met in: late 1990s
- Married on: April 4, 2008
- Years of Marriage: 16 years
- Former Spouse: NA
- Children: 3 – Blue Ivy, Sir, and Rumi
Beyonce was about the age of 18 when she met Jay-Z. The music icons started dating after a year and have remained together ever since. They have had music collaborations prior to their getting married in songs that include the notable Crazy in Love.
In January 2012, one of the black couples welcomed their first child, a daughter, Blu Ivy Carter and n 2017, they welcomed twin boys, Sir and Rumi Carter.
Their relationship although may seem picture-perfect, it has gone through the ups and downs of alleged infidelity by Jay-Z. The couple has however found a way to get through it and continue to become a black couple goal to many.
In 2014, they welcomed their second son, Genesis Ali Dean on December 27, 2014.
13. Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker
- Met in: 2000s
- Married in: 2005
- Years of Marriage: 19 years
- Former Spouse: Joseph Falasca (Nicole Parker’s ex-husband)
- Children: 2
Boris Kodjoe grew up in a broken home as his parents divorced when he was 6 years old. His wife, Nicole Parker could also not keep her first marriage more than 8 months. However, when they married on March 5, 2005, there was a deliberate effort to make their marriage work.
The couple before their union in Germany appeared in Soul Food. In their marriage, they have juggled their career lives of acting and modelling; alongside being parents to 2 children, Sophie and Nicolas.
Although they seem to be okay in their marriage, Parker in an Instagram Live show Date Night wished to have the same relationship with her husband as they had when they were dating. Fans suggested that there may be trouble in the marriage but the couple would go on to affirm that they were fine.
12. Viola Davis and Julius Tennon
- Met in: 2003
- Married in: 2003
- Years of Marriage: 21 years
- Former Spouse: Sheryl Arnold and Christine White (ex-wives of Julius Tennon)
- Children: adopted daughter, Genesis and 2 children from Julius Tennon past relationship
The couple has more than marriage and family in common. They also are actors as well as own their production company, JuVee Productions. Their meeting was more of an answered prayer for Davis who had prayed 3 weeks prior for a man who had the body of a football player, was married and had children. Viola met Julius 3 weeks after she said the prayer.
In 2003, they became married and in 2011 adopted an infant daughter Genesis. Before then, Tennon had married and separated. He also has 2 children in their 40s from a past relationship.
11. David E. Talbert and Lyn Sisson-Talbert
- Met in: 1990s
- Married in: 1998
- Years of Marriage: 26 years
- Former Spouse: NA
- Children: 1
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Rather than having marriage and child in common, David E Talbert and Lyn have many other things in common, including their careers in movie making. The producers although have closely worked together to create movies, they have kept their love life away from the public.
The black couple has a son named Elias Talbert – an actor who featured in his parent’s movie, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.
10. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett
- Met in: 1994
- Married in: 1997
- Years of Marriage: 26 years
- Former Spouse: Sheree Zampino (Will Smith’s ex-wife), Grant Hill (Jada Pinkett’s ex-boyfriend)
- Children: Jaden Smith and Willow Smith (Trey Smith – Will Smith son from a past relationship)
Will Smith is one of the most decorated actors of all time and Jada Pinkett Smith also has a thriving career in acting. Both of them had a music career at a point.
As to their relationship, Will Smith was married to Sherree Zampino in 1992 and had a son Willard Carroll Trey Smith III the same year. They became divorced in 1995.
On her own part, Jada had a relationship with Grant Hill, a basketball player. In 1994, Jada and Will met at an audition. Although he developed feelings towards her, reports claim that they did not have a relationship until the end of his marriage with Sheree.
In 1997, they became married while Jada was 3 months pregnant with Jaden Smith, their first child together. A few years later, they had their daughter, Willow Smith in 2000. Although they separated at a point and Jeda was said to have had a relationship with August Alsina and Will had a relationship with an undisclosed woman, they fast fixed things up and their marriage continues.
9. Courtney Vance and Angela Bassett
- Met in: 1980
- Married in: 1997
- Years of Marriage: 27 years
- Former Spouse: NA
- Children: Bronwyn Vance
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Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance were students at that Yale School of Drama in 1980. However, they did not start a romantic affair because Vance was already in another relationship at the time.
In 1994, about 14 years after they first met, they crossed paths and started dating. 3 years later in 1997, they tied the knot. The couple who are both award-winning actors have maintained a life of fame but would keep their marriage private.
Almost 10 years after one among the long-lasting black couples became married they welcomed their twin children, Bronwyn and Slater Vance.
8. Kirk and Tammy Franklin
- Met in: NA
- Married on: January 20, 1996
- Years of Marriage: 28 years
- Former Spouse: NA
- Children: 2 together, 1 from Kirk’s former relationship and 1 from Tammy’s former relationship (4)
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Gospel musician Kirk Franklin is not only successful in his career but is equally successful in his marriage to Tammy Franklin since the ushering of 1996. The couple before they started their relationship, however, had other relationships that led to children one child from each of them.
In their marriage, nonetheless, the couple has 2 children together. As to the success of their union, Tammy admitted to the grace of God which works for them while Kirk who was initially scared that he would fail as a husband and father equally makes it work in his own ways. In addition, Kirk owes a part of the success of the marriage to Tammy who according to him unlocked the reality of God’s gift in a woman.
7. LL Cool J and Simone Smith
- Met in: 1987
- Married in: 1995
- Years of Marriage: 29 years
- Former Spouse: Kidada Jones (LL Cool J’s ex-girlfriend)
- Children: 4
LL Cool J whose birth name is James Todd Smith met Simone Smith in 1987. However, the actor and rapper went on to start dating actress and model, Kidada Jones from 1992 to 1994.
In 1995, they became married and in 1998, Cool J dedicated his song Candy to her. Currently, they’re parents to 4 children and are grandparents to a boy, King-James.
6. Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete
- Met in: 1993
- Married in: 1995
- Years of Marriage: 29 years
- Former Spouse: NA
- Children: 4
It was not love at first sight for actress and singer Holly Robinson who thought women were all over Rodney Peete, the then American football quarterback NFL player. A party was held at his house and again, they met. Holly left early and Peete followed her to her home.
This marked the beginning of their love story that has lasted decades. To make their relationship work, the couple opted for counselling before they became married. At present, they are parents to 2 sets of twins, a boy and girl, Ryan Elizabeth Peete who were born in 1997; and 2 boys, Robison Peete and Roman Peete who were born in 2005.
5. Morris Chestnut and Pam Byse
- Met in: early 1990s
- Married in: 1995
- Years of Marriage: 29 years
- Former Spouse: unspecified
- Children: 2
Chestnut mentions the success of his more than 2 decades marriage to Pam as communication and keeping the marriage fresh among other things. They had met while he was shooting a TV film in a town where Byse was.
In 1995, they became married and are parents to 2 children, a son, Grant and a model daughter, Paige.
4. Barack and Michelle Obama
- Met in: 1989
- Married on: October 3, 1992
- Years of Marriage: 31 years
- Former Spouse: unspecified
- Children: Malia Ann Obama and Natasha “Sasha” Obama
Among the black couples to have a sustaining relationship is the former United States president, Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama have for a very long time remained a powerful black couple in America. The couple met in 1989 at a law firm Sidley Austin LLP where the then 25 years old Michelle Robinson was assigned as Barack’s mentor. The former president was at that time 28 years old.
In 1991, they became engaged and were married in 1992. They welcomed their first daughter in 1998 and in 2001, they had their second daughter, Sasha.
The couple has over the years pursuit different careers. While Barack became a senator for the first time in 2004, Michelle was vice president for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals. In 2008, Barack became the first black president in the United States and was reelected in 2012.
3. Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham
- Met in: NA
- Married on: not married (started dating in 1986)
- Years of Marriage: Not married (have been together for 38 years)
- Former Spouse: Glenda Graham (ex-wife of Stedman Graham)
- Children: Wendy Graham (Stedman Graham’s daughter from a past relationship), Canaan (born by Oprah in 1968 and died the same year)
Oprah Winfrey had several relationships that include a relationship with William Bubba Taylor whom she said were madly in love. She also had a man that after he left, Oprah thought of suicide. Oprah Winfrey had other toxic relationships that include one that she started to smoke crack cocaine.
However, she began a relationship with Stedman Graham began in 1986 and in 1992 they got engaged to call it off a year after. However, they maintain their love affair and have one of the longest black celebrity relationships.
Graham was married to Glenda Graham in 1974 and was divorced. He also has a daughter, Wendy Graham. Oprah on her own part had a child Canaan in 1968 who died the same year.
2. Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington
- Met in: 1977
- Married on: June 25, 1983
- Years of Marriage: 41 years
- Former Spouse: Unspecified
- Children: 4, (John David, Katia, Olivia and Malcolm)
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Denzel Washington is an actor, director, and producer while his wife Pauletta Pearson also has an acting career alongside working in the music department and soundtrack of films.
The couple’s love journey traces back to the earliest career of Denzel in 1977 on the set of Wilma, a TV film. On June 25, 1983, they became married and welcomed their first child, a son, John David a year after. In 1986, they had their second child Katia which was followed by twins, Olivia and Malcolm in 1991.
12 years into their marriage in 1995, the black couple travelled to South Africa to renew their marriage vows and was officiated by Desmond Tutu. As to what makes their marriage work, Denzel would go on to say different things contribute to the success of his marriage but what comes to his mind is security, food and the beautiful home created by his wife.
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1. Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson
- Met in: 1970s
- Married on: August 18 1980
- Years of Marriage: 44 years
- Former Spouse: unspecified
- Children: 1 (daughter, Zoe)
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Samuel L. Jackson owes the success of his marriage to LaTanya in their love and understanding. Both of them have been in the American movie industry before they settled to become married in 1980. However, they met while LaTanya was a student at Spelman College while Jackson was at Morehouse College.
In 1982, the couple welcomed their only daughter, Zoe Jackson – a producer, and assistant director famous for Top Chef (2006), Too Saved (2007), and Top Chef Jr (2017).
Recap of the 15 Black Couples Making Their Love Last
15. Lebron James and Savannah Brinson
14. Beyonce and Jay-Z
13. Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker
12. Viola Davis and Julius Tennon
11. David E. Talbert and Lyn Sisson-Talbert
10. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett
9. Courtney Vance and Angela Bassett
8. Kirk and Tammy Franklin
7. LL Cool J and Simone Smith
6. Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete
5. Morris Chestnut and Pam Byse
4. Barack and Michelle Obama
3. Oprah Winfrey and Stedman Graham
2. Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington
1. Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson
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