Chadwick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledward's love story: Match made in heaven crushed by battle with cancer

In 2019, T’Challa was taken, breaking thousands of hearts after he popped the question to his longtime love Taylor Simone Ledward: Tracing their relationship timeline
UPDATED AUG 29, 2020
Taylor Simone Ledward and Chadwick Boseman (Getty Images)
Taylor Simone Ledward and Chadwick Boseman (Getty Images)

It was the year 2018. Chadwick Boseman shattered all records and snuck a safe space in the hearts of Marvel fans with his blockbuster hit ‘Black Panther’. At that time, not much was known about his personal life. Born on November 29, 1976, Chadwick was raised in Anderson, South Carolina, to African American parents, Carolyn — who was a nurse — and Leroy Boseman — who was a textile factory businessman. His ancestral roots traced to Krio people from Sierra Leone, Yoruba people from Nigeria and Limba people from Sierra Leone.

A year later, Boseman stepped into the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards with Taylor Simone Ledward and raised many eyeballs making people wonder who was the beautiful woman he locked arms with. On August 28, 2020, the 43-year-old actor died of colon cancer after a four-year-long battle and in his final moments, he was with his wife and family. As the family sent out a public statement calling him a “true fighter”, here's a look at Taylor and their relationship timeline.

(L-R) Chadwick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledward attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019, in Hollywood, California.

A singer, Taylor graduated from California State Polytechnic University Pomona in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Music Industry Studies and was reportedly the lead singer of the school's jazz band. As per reports, paparazzi spotted the couple in 2015 at the Los Angeles International Airport and then again walking hand-in-hand in June 2017 outside the 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' studio. Moreover, as per an Oprah Magazine report, she accompanied him for a ‘Black Panther’ after-party in New York in February 2018 and the two were again captured at the NBA All-Star game along with Boseman's co-star, Michael B. Jordan.

However, it wasn't until March 30, 2019, that Boseman publicly confessed his love. At the 50th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, Boseman kissed Taylor before getting on to the stage to accept the trophy for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. During his acceptance speech, he said, "Simone, you're with me every day. I have to acknowledge you right now. Love you." Glancing back at him, she murmured, "I love you."

Taylor Simone Ledward and Chadwick Boseman attend the "21 Bridges" New York Screening at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on November 19, 2019, in New York City.

In 2019, T’Challa was taken, breaking thousands of hearts. A MediaTakeOut report said the actor popped the question to his longtime love on a date in Malibu and she said yes. “Chadwick and Simone got engaged,” the friend shared. “It was a long time coming and everyone is really happy.” The same source also revealed that the two were hoping to get hitched early in 2020. At the time, eagle-eyed fans caught a big fat engagement ring on her finger at a Lakers and Clippers game at the Staples Center.

While the exact date of their wedding is not known, reports say he married Taylor before his death. Many fans shared a tribute for him and said their hearts go out to his wife and family. "Y’all we gotta pray for Chad Boseman’s wife...imagine the talks she had w her husband these last 4yrs. To know he was leaving an immeasurable impact on this world, while trying to enjoy him & then through a pandemic," one tweet read and another said, "Those who really know me know how MUCH a marvel nerd I am... when Black Panther came out, I was HYPED. fell in love with Chad Boseman as everyone did, my heart hurts for his wife and family. He’s an inspiration."



 



 

MORE STORIES

John Oliver was bleeped out twice during his brief, 15-second Emmys acceptance speech on live television after he roasted host Nate Bargatze
Sep 15, 2025
Kevin Hart doesn't appreciate paparazzi’s question after viral video of him hosting Diddy’s party resurfaces
Apr 6, 2025
Diddy’s childhood friend Tim Patterson claims Janice Combs’s wild parties often involved pimps, homosexuals, and other adult activities
Apr 6, 2025
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson tied the knot in 1994, but she initially thought the King of Pop was a creep—and we totally get why
Apr 6, 2025
Riley Keough opens up about the Presley family curse in a candid interview while on tour for her book, 'From Here to the Great Unknown'
Apr 5, 2025
Natalie Morales hits back after her interview with Seth Meyers is removed from all platforms due to a revealing outfit
Apr 5, 2025
"Babyface, can you believe she wants me to dress like a girl?" Michael Jackson told a producer.
Apr 2, 2025
Sofia Vergara also dished out on why she doesn't ever want to play Modern Family's Gloria again
Apr 2, 2025
"It took more and more to get high, and I honestly don't know when your body decides it can't deal with it anymore," Lisa Marie Presley wrote.
Apr 1, 2025
A family member's last-minute intervention saved Michael Jackson from the 9/11 tragedy—here’s what happened
Apr 1, 2025