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Who Is Taylor Simone Ledward? Here’s What We Know About the Late Chadwick Boseman’s Wife

Chadwick Boseman’s legacy continues to live on through his family. After his death, the late actor received lots of recognition for his work in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Da 5 Bloods, ultimately winning a Golden Globe Award, a SAG award and three NAACP Image Awards.

During each of the ceremonies, his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, gave emotional speeches while accepting these awards on behalf of her husband, who tragically passed away at 43 after a private battle with colon cancer.

So, who is Chadwick Boseman’s wife? Keep reading for details about Taylor Simone Ledward.

chadwick boseman wife speech
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1. Who Is Chadwick Boseman's Wife?

Ledward is an extremely talented singer. In 2014, Ledward graduated from California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in music industry studies. She started dating Boseman in 2015 and attended several awards shows with the actor, including the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

chadwick boseman wife taylor simone ledward
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

2. When Did They Get Married?

Unfortunately, very few details about the couple’s wedding and engagement have been released. However, we do know that Boseman proposed in October 2019, and they tied the knot in an intimate wedding shortly after.

chadwick boseman wife
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

3. Did She Give a Speech at the 2020 Golden Globes?

When Boseman posthumously won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) at the 78th annual ceremony, Ledward accepted the award via Zoom and gave a heartfelt speech in honor of her late husband.

“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.”

4. What About the NAACP Awards?

In case you missed it, her husband posthumously won two awards for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, including Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture, and one for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods.

In her moving acceptance speech, she said, "Thank you, NAACP Image Awards, for always giving him his flowers. He was an uncommon artist and even more uncommon person, but the manner in which we’ve lost him is not uncommon at all."

Ledward then informed audiences about colon cancer and the steps that can be taken to try to combat the disease. She added, "Don’t put it off any longer. Be proactive about your health, know the signs. Know your body."

5. And the SAG Awards?

The Screen Actor's Guild Awards also honored the late actor, who won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. In her speech, Ledward thanked Boseman's co-stars and his parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman. She also shared a wise quote of his, ending with, "If you see the world unbalanced, be a crusader that pushes heavily on the seesaw of the mind."

taylor simone ledward
AAFCA 2021 / Getty Images

6. And Lastly, What About the African American Film Critics Association Awards?

Boseman was also honored with the award for Best Actor at the African American Film Critics Association Awards, where Ledward shared another touching speech.

“Thank you so much for honoring my husband’s work with an AAFCA Best Actor Award,” she said. “He would be so grateful for the recognition of everything that he gave to Levee Green. While the work would always remain paramount, the work is made possible by the process. The process allows you to reach your inner voice, so you have to protect it.”

Ledward added, "Thank you, Chad, for always doing the work."

7. Does She Have Social Media?

Of course. Ledward has an official Instagram page, but it doesn’t feature many photos. Still, the account offers a rare glimpse into her personal life, from selfies to old videos of Boseman.

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