One of LL’s s proudest achievements, however, is his marriage to his wife, Simone I. Smith, with whom he’s raised a beautiful family. The two have been together for decades—a rarity in Hollywood—and neither of them are shy when it comes to talking about their relationship, even proffering advice for how to maintain a successful, long-term marriage. Here’s what we know about LL Cool J and his marriage to wife Simone I. Smith.
Is LL Cool J married?
LL Cool J dated Smith—who, just like him, grew up in Queens, New York—for eight years before tying the knot on Aug. 8, 1995.
How did LL Cool J and Simone meet?
LL Cool J was already well established in his career as a rapper when he met Smith during a chance encounter in 1987 when he was a teenager. “I was just 19, something like that,” LL said in an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “It was Easter and I was driving down the block in my mother’s car.” The rapper said it all started when he stopped the car to say hello to a friend, who asked LL, “Hey, you wanna meet my cousin?” At first, LL told his friend that he had somewhere else to go, but seeing Smith for the first time changed his mind: “I looked over and said, ‘Oh yeah, I’ll meet your cousin.’”
What does Simone Smith do?
Simone is an entrepreneur and fashionista who, in 2011, co-foundedSimone I. Smith Jewelry. According to her website, the idea for her first design came to be following her cancer diagnosis. After surgery, she discovered that the lollipop tattoo on her leg was altered; that became the inspiration for her signature lollipop pendant, “A Sweet Touch of Hope.” Then came hoop earrings, bangles, necklaces and rings. LL, meanwhile is so supportive of Smith’s business that he’s even appeared on HSN to help sell her jewelry line. In 2018, Smith joined forces with Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee Mary J. Blige to launch Sister Love, a jewelry line inspired by their friendship. Her most recent business venture is SIS Luxe Lacquer, a clean, vegan nail polish brand.
When is LL Cool J’s wife’s birthday?
Simone’s birthday is March 30. The 51-year-old celebrated it in 2021 by collaborating with her husband’s brand to create Rock the Bells jewelry.
Is LL Cool J married to Quincy Jones’ daughter?
LL Cool J dated Kidada Jones —the daughter of legendary record producer Quincy Jones and actress Peggy Lipton—before marrying Simone. Jones, who dated LL from 1992 to 1994, has also worked as a model and a fashion designer. In his memoir, I Make My Own Rules, LL revealed that he ended their relationship because of spiritual differences. “She would go to an ashram, consult a guru, and pray to statues,” he wrote. She later went on to date rapper TupacShakur prior to his death in 1996.
What kind of cancer did Simone have?
In 2004, Simone was diagnosed with stage 3 chondrosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer found in her right tibia bone. She had to undergo a 15-hour surgery to replace the bone, followed by an intense recovery—including having to learn to walk again. LL stuck by his wife’s side during the entire time, even putting his career on hold. The couple has said it made them stronger. “You don’t abandon someone in that fox hole,” LL told Oprah Winfrey about the experience. “You gotta be there in that foxhole with them.” Simone has been cancer-free for nearly 20 years. She and LL Cool J now dedicate their time to raising awareness and donating a portion of the proceeds from Simone’s jewelry line to the American Cancer Society.
How many kids does LL Cool J have?
LL and Smith have four children together; a son Najee, 32, and daughters Italia, 30, Samaria, 25, and Nina, 21. They welcomed their older two children before they were married. While those two have pursued careers away from the spotlight, youngest daughter Nina is following in her dad’s footsteps in the music industry as an R&B singer. LL and Simone also have two grandchildren. “After my experiences coming up, I’ve been a little uncomfortable with really putting a lot of pressure on my kids, but I am a stickler for excellence and I’m not going to spoil you,” the actor-rapper once told Oprah Winfrey about his parenting style. “Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with helping your kids getting into position and stuff like that but I want my kids to deserve and earn it, too, because this is a real world, they’re real people and I’m a blue collar guy at the end of the day and I want them to understand that.”
Is LL Cool J still married?
As of 2021, LL Cool J and Smith have been married for 26 years. The couple keeps their marriage private for the most part, offering glimpses of their love on social media. For their 26th anniversary the couple went to dinner with boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and his wife Bernadette. The secret to their marriage’s staying power? Smith says the marriage works because they put God first, make compromises, pick their battles and respect one another. LL’s advice on making a relationship successful is “mutual respect and knowing how a person wants to be loved.”
How to watch the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction 2021
The 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony airs Saturday, Nov. 20 on HBO and HBO Max at 8 p.m. ET. Next, find out what your attachment style is in relationships
