Lots of celebrities choose to publicize their relationships. From David and Victoria Beckham to Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, we’re often given glimpses of what it’s like to be a famous power couple.
Though, not every celebrity is focused on showing off their relationship, and Samuel L. Jackson is one of those people.
Keep reading to find out more about his long-term love!
Samuel L. Jackson, a cinematic legend with a career spanning over 100 films, including iconic roles in Pulp Fiction, Star Wars, and Marvel blockbusters, boasts not only an impressive professional journey but also a remarkable personal life.
At the heart of his enduring success is his decades-long marriage to his college sweetheart, LaTanya Richardson Jackson.
Their love story began in 1970 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, where Jackson and LaTanya were both students. A connection formed during those college years blossomed into a lasting bond, and in 1980, the couple exchanged vows. Two years later, their family grew with the arrival of their daughter, Zoé.
For Jackson, fatherhood is vitally important to him – especially because his own upbringing was marked by the absence of a steady paternal figure. Determined to break the cycle, Jackson made a resolute promise to be a present and supportive father to Zoe.
Reflecting on his role as a family man in a 2020 interview with People, he said: “I’m a good son, a good father, a good husband — I’ve been married to the same woman for thirty years.”
LaTanya also added that they made a promise to each other to stay together through thick and thin. “In the beginning, we always said the most revolutionary thing that Black people could do was stay together, raise their children with the nucleus of having a father and a mother, since everybody likes to pretend that that’s not the dynamic of the African American family,” she said.
“That it’s just children out here being raised by women, which we know is false,” she continued. “In order to change that narrative, we made a decision to say, ‘We are going to stay together no matter what. We’ll figure it out.’”
The couple’s enduring commitment to each other became evident as they navigated the challenges of a four-decade-long marriage. The usual ups and downs that accompany any relationship were met with an unwritten pact to weather storms together. Their decision to stay united, regardless of the hurdles they faced, laid the foundations for their long-lasting relationship.
The entertainment industry, with its pressures, demands, and constant public scrutiny, can obviously strain relationships – we’ve sadly seen this with numerous celebrity couples. However, Jackson credits the success of his marriage to having a partner who intimately understands the intricacies of the industry.
LaTanya Richardson, herself a distinguished actress and producer, has played a pivotal role in Jackson’s life. In fact, she not only supported his career but also helped him overcome struggles, notably his battle with drug addiction.
In an interview with People, Jackson expressed how thankful he was for his wife’s support, stating: “She gave me the chance to be the man I was supposed to be.”
As for what they believe has made their marriage work for so long, Jackson said: “It’s two people who respect each other, love each other and look out for each other.”
