Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died at just the age of 43 years old after a four-year battle with colon cancer in August 2020. But his legacy lives on. Chadwick is survived by his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, and family. The spouses were together for years, but they always chose to keep their personal lives out of the public eye. Learn more about Chadwick’s wife here.
How did Taylor Simone & Chadwick meet?
It’s still fairly unclear exactly how Taylor Simone and Chadwick initially connected. However, some of the first photos of the couple go back to 2015, when they were spotted at LAX. They were also seen together outside of the Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio in Los Angeles following Chadwick’s June 2017 appearance on the show. The two quietly got engaged in 2019, before they exchanged their ‘I dos’ in 2020.
Where did Taylor Simone go to college & what does she do?
It’s believed that Taylor Simone earned her education and bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), Pomona in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in music industry studies. She was seemingly photographed singing with the school’s jazz band in 2013, which you can see here. Like her dear husband, Taylor Simone hails from the United States with African American ancestry. After marrying Chadwick, it’s not clear if she continued with her career, or chose to support Chadwick as much as possible.
Did family members ever confirm their romance?
Yes. In April 2018, Taylor Simone’s grandmother confirmed to In Touch Weekly that Chadwick and her granddaughter were, indeed, an item. Taylor Simone and Chadwick were “very happy,” she shared with the outlet. She also said that the two “respect each other.”
Taylor Simone was by Chadwick’s side when he died.
The statement that was released regarding Chadwick’s untimely death said that he died “with his wife and family by his side.” Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 and “battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV.” Chadwick never publicly revealed that he was battling cancer.
Taylor Simone & Chadwick were a private couple.
Chadwick and Taylor Simone did not confirm when their relationship started, so it’s unknown when they started dating. They also never publicly confirmed they got married. The couple was first spotted out together in 2015. Their last red carpet appearance was in November 2019 at the premiere of Chadwick’s film 21 Bridges in New York City.
Chadwick mentioned Taylor Simone during his NAACP Image Awards speech.
When the actor won the 2018 award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his role as T’Challa/Black Panther in Black Panther, he mentioned his love for the first time publicly. When his name was announced, they sweetly kissed before he went up to the stage. “Simone, you’re with me every day,” he said. “I have to acknowledge you right now. Love you.” The camera panned to her, and she blew him a kiss and mouthed, “I love you.”
They made their red carpet debut at the 2019 SAG Awards
Chadwick and Taylor Simone walked hand-in-hand on the carpet at the SAG Awards in Jan. 2019. Taylor Simone looked stunning in a black floral gown alongside Chadwick.
The last time they appeared together was in February 2020
The couple sat courtside together during the 2020 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago, just six months before his death. They posed for photos and enjoyed the game on their date night out.
Taylor Simone has made public appearances since her husband’s passing.
Taylor Simone was responsible for perhaps the most moving and emotional moment from the 2021 Golden Globe Awards. At the ceremony, which went largely virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Chadwick was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his electrifying performance in Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, in which he starred alongside Viola Davis. When the time came to announce the recipient of the prize, it was announced that Chadwick won the award posthumously.
In lieu of anyone from the cast or crew of the film making an acceptance speech on Chadwick’s behalf and in his memory, Taylor Simone appeared on screen to offer a few words that touched every single person watching the awards show telecast. “He would thank God,” she said, wearing a gown and fully dressed for the event. “He would thank his parents. He would thank his ancestors for their guidance and sacrifices.”
Watch Chadwick Boseman’s wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, accept the late actor’s #GoldenGlobes win https://t.co/gMrpbjjqwe pic.twitter.com/Wx1jjdugXU
— Variety (@Variety) March 1, 2021
Taylor Simone continued, “He would thank his incredible team…He would thank his team on-set for this film.” Through her words, Taylor Simone was visibly emotional, holding back tears as much as she could while speaking. “He would say something beautiful; something inspiring, something that would amplify that little voice inside of all of us that tells you, you can. That tells you to keep going,” she said.
“That calls you back to what you are meant to be doing at this moment in history.” Taylor Simone went on to thank the cast of the lauded film, as well, calling out Colman Domingo and Denzel Washington, among others. “And I don’t have his words,” she said. “But we have to take all the moment to celebrate those we love. So, thank you, HFPA, for this opportunity to do exactly that. And, Hun,” she said, referencing her dear husband. “You keep ’em coming.” You can watch Taylor Simone’s full speech from the clip above.
In November 2025, Taylor Simone appeared at her late husband’s posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.
