Sidney Poitier & Joanna Shimkus Were ‘Destined’ to Be Together – Inside Their 45-Year Interracial Marriage with 2 Pretty Daughters
The iconic actor experienced two marriages and fathered six daughters with two women. His first union spanned more than ten years, while his second endured until his passing.
Sidney Poitier’s second wife, Joanna Shimkus, once said they were “destined” to be together. Their remarkable 45-year interracial marriage, filled with love and mutual respect, brought them two beautiful daughters, offering a glimpse into a bond that stood the test of time.
Their love story was one of lasting commitment, but before his enduring marriage to Shimkus, Sidney had experienced another chapter in his life. His first marriage, along with a nearly decade-long romance outside of it, unfolded alongside his groundbreaking contributions to Hollywood.
The public figure, known for guarding his private life, offered rare insight into his first marriage to Juanita Hardy in “Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon.” He met her during a time of
Sidney Poitier and Juanita Hardy pictured with Willy Brandt in 1960, in Berlin, Germany. | Source: Getty Images
Though Sidney initially doubted she could offer him stability, she became the first woman to do so. Hardy had a career in entertainment — modeling for Sepia and Ebony magazines, dancing, and studying at Columbia University.
The pair first crossed paths in the early 1950s and Sidney saw her again later at a nightclub, where he boldly
Within a week, he asked her on a date; a month later, he was
Two years later, in 1952, their first daughter Beverly Poitier, was born while Sidney was still juggling acting with shifts at a barbecue restaurant. “Times were so tough that I used to take milk from the restaurant home for my kid,” he
Despite the financial struggles of his early career, Sidney and Hardy continued growing their family. Their daughter Pamela Poitier arrived in 1954, followed by Sherri Poitier in 1956. Years later, they welcomed their youngest, Gina Poitier, who tragically passed away several years later.
(L-R) Beverly, Anika, Sydney, Gina, Sherri, and Pamela Poitier attend The Film Society of Lincoln Center’s presentation of the 38th Annual Chaplin Award on May 2, 2011, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
As Sidney’s family life evolved, so did his career, reaching new heights in 1959. That year, he earned his first Best Actor Oscar nomination for “The Defiant Ones.” His success continued on stage as he starred in the Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun,” a role that cemented his place as a powerful force in theater.
Around the same time the veteran star joined an all-star cast in the film adaptation of the Gershwin musical “Porgy and Bess.” His momentum in Hollywood only grew, paving the way for a historic milestone.
Sidney Poitier on the set of “Pory and Bess,” 1959 | Source: Getty Images
Years later, in 1964, Sidney became
Sidney Poitier pictured holding the Oscar for his role in “Lilies of the Field,” on January 1, 1964 | Source: Getty Images
His historic Oscar win solidified his place in Hollywood, but the demands of fame came at a cost to his personal life. “Fame thrust all these opportunities upon him,”
Their separation was a difficult chapter. “That breakup was a long, painful, scarring period for all concerned,” Sidney once
Beyond their struggles, there was another truth he could not
Diahann Carroll and Sidney Poitier attend the 36th Academy Awards on April 13, 1964, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images
Although he and Carroll never wed, his marriage to Hardy ended in 1965. Three years later, he met Canadian actress Joanna Shimkus on the set of “The Lost Man,” and their connection proved lasting.
Sidney Poitier and Joanna Shimkus attend Andrew Young Campaign Fundraiser on June 10, 1970, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Their bond quickly deepened, leading to a family of their own. The couple
They married in 1976, with Sidney crediting Shimkus for teaching him the importance of
Sidney Poitier and Joanna Shimkus at the premiere of “Let’s Do It Again,” 1975 | Source: Getty Images
In the 1998 PBS documentary “Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light,” Shimkus
Joanna Shimkus and Sidney Poitier during 13th Annual Carousel of Hope Ball on October 23, 1998, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
“I grew up in Canada and I never really had any kind of prejudice — it’s unlike America. I just never had those feelings,” she
Sidney Poitier and Joanna Shimkus at “An Evening with Larry King and Friends” on January 24, 2003, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
“I never really did see him as a Black man. I mean, I know he is Black, but I just saw him as a man, and he was just a wonderful person. An amazing human being,”
Sidney Poitier and Joanna Shimkus attend the premiere of “Twisted,” 2004 | Source: Getty Images
She admired many qualities in Sidney, but what stood out most was his integrity, honesty, and devotion to his family. For her, he was an exceptional person with a kind heart. She also couldn’t deny his charm,
Joanna Shimkus and Sidney Poitier pictured at the Vanity Fair Oscar party on February 29, 2004, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Besides looks, when Sidney was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the BAFTA Awards, health concerns prevented him from traveling to London. Instead, he received the award at his Los Angeles home, where he took a moment to recognize those who had supported him throughout his journey.
Sidney Poitier and Joanna Shimkus attend Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball on May 14, 2005, in Santa Barbara, California. | Source: Getty Images
“[…] My wife is with me here. My wife, my children and my friends have been keeping me on my feet. To my family, my life force, I am nothing without you. And all of you, thank you for your warm embrace and this extraordinary moment and memory I shall cherish,”
Sidney’s gratitude for his family was a constant theme in his life, especially when reflecting on his achievements. The movie star shared that his wife and children meant the most to him.
As for his wife, when asked about the key to their lasting relationship, she credited their nearly five decades together to simple yet meaningful gestures. Joana revealed that she cooked for him every night and
Sidney Poitier pictured with Joanna Shimkus and their children on January 1, 1983, in Monte Carlo, Monaco. | Source: Getty Images
Sidney’s devotion to his family was evident in both his marriage and parenting. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey once, he reflected on his approach to fatherhood, acknowledging that his children likely wouldn’t describe him as easygoing.
Shimkus saw him as a perfectionist who valued loyalty and mutual respect in relationships. She believed he could be tough on their children at times, expecting a certain level of discipline.
Meanwhile, Sidney admitted that he
Sidney Poitier pictured with his family during the 6th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on March 12, 2000, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The Hollywood star’s influence endured far beyond his lifetime. After his passing in January 2022 at 94, Shimkus discovered a drawer filled with his speeches while organizing his office.
Reading through them, she realized they contained his
In an excerpt, Shimkus described Sidney as one of the most intelligent and fascinating people she had ever known. Despite little formal education, he was self-taught, deeply curious, and passionate about the cosmos.
Sidney Poitier and Joanna Shimkus attend the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation’s 6th Annual Christmas Gala and Fundraiser on December 19, 2015, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
His commitment to learning extended to his family, as he established a trust to support his daughters’ education. Sidney Poitier’s calm, deliberate voice was another defining trait.
Though they spent years in the Bahamas, Shimkus never heard his original accent or saw him
