Meet the Woman Who Could Accept Chadwick Boseman's Oscar This Weekend and See Inside Their Marriage

Author:
Shameika Rhymes
Apr 20, 2021

The Oscars get underway this weekend and one of the actors expected to win is the late Chadwick Boseman. He is the seventh actor to ever receive a posthumous Oscar nomination. He has been nominated for the best actor award for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Bosemandied on August 28, 2020, in his home in Los Angeles after a four-year battle with colon cancer. His family confirmed his death in a post on his Instagram at the time. The statement included, “It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side. The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.” He’s been racking up posthumous awards since his death and his wife Taylor Simone Ledward has been making the rounds bringing us to tears and making headlines with her acceptance speeches in his honor.

But who is the woman who had his heart and stood by his side during his private battle with cancer? Get to know Chadwick Boseman's wife.

Was Chadwick Boseman married?

The post announcing his death also confirmed that Boseman was married. Until then, his marriage was kept out of the spotlight.

Chadwick Boseman's wife was also an artist

Ledward graduated from California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly) Pomona in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in music industry studies. There are photos of her performing with the university’s jazz band.

Chadwick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledward were together for at least 5 years

It’s unclear when the couple started dating, but they had been together since at least 2015 when they were photographed at the Los Angeles International Airport. The two were spotted holding hands outside the Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio following Boseman’s June 2017 appearance. Ledward also attended a Black Panther after-party with the actor in New York in February 2018. Later that month, they were spotted sitting courtside at the NBA All-Star game. The couple also turned heads at the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards leaving many to wonder who the woman was with Boseman.

Taylor Simone Ledward's grandmother spilled the beans

Ledward’s grandmother reportedly spoke to In Touch Weekly in April 2018 confirming her granddaughter’s relationship with Boseman. “They respect each other,” she said at the time. “She’s very happy, and he is too.” Ledward’s sister also commented on the relationship in an Instagram comment when fans suggested Boseman and his Black Panther costar Lupita Nyong’o continue their fictional romance offscreen. A comment from Ledward’s sister included, "His real life queen is gorgeous, and together they embody true love," she wrote. "Not to mention they would make some beautiful babies!"

Chadwick Boseman shouted out his wife in an acceptance speech

In his acceptance speech for his Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture award for Black Panther at the 50th Annual NAACP Image Awards, he shouted out Ledward and her place in his life. “Simone, you’re with me every day. I have to acknowledge you right now. Love you,” he said in his acceptance speech. The camera caught her mouth back, “I love you.”

Chadwick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledward were last photographed at a basketball game in February 2020

On February 16, 2020, Boseman and Ledward were courtside at an NBA All-Star game in Chicago. They were photographed smiling in conversation. Ledward was wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring at the time.

When did Chadwick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledward get married?

Very few details about the couple’s wedding and engagement publicly are known. However, it has been reported that Boseman proposed in October 2019 and they got married just months before his death. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Denzel Washington spoke about working with Boseman on Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, recalling how he told the Black Panther star to marry Ledward after watching her care for him on the set of the Netflix film. "I used to watch how she took care of him, and I actually said to him, I said, 'Man, you know, you need to put a ring on that finger,' cause she kept her eye on him and she watched him. And I'm like, 'Man, she loves that guy.' You know, but I didn't know what we know now," said Washington.

Since Chadwick Boseman’s death, Taylor Simone Ledward has accepted his posthumous awards

In January 2021, Ledward gave an emotional speech in honor of her late husband as she accepted the Actor Tribute award for him at the Gotham Awards.

When Boseman posthumously won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) for his work in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the 78th annual ceremony, Ledward accepted the award on his behalf giving a heartfelt speech in his honor. “He would thank God. He would thank his parents. He would thank his ancestors for their guidance and their sacrifices,” she said. “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, that calls you back to what you’re meant to be doing at this moment in history.”

In March, she delivered a teary and heartfelt message about the importance of colon cancer screenings as she accepted his award at the 2021 NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor In Motion Picture.

Ledward has also accepted his Critics Choice and Screen Actor’s Guild awards.

When the Oscars are presented this Sunday, April 25, Ledward will wrap up her duties standing in for her late husband during this award season as he is favored to win Best Actor.

Next, watch the best Black movies on Netflix.