The two had reportedly got engaged last year and were planning a 2020 wedding.
Chadwick Boseman passed away on August 28 leaving a huge gap in the hearts of both his fellow Hollywood stars and the people who loved him embodying the role of King T'Challa aka the Black Panther. Little did the world know that he was a superhero in real life as well, fighting a long battle against colon cancer till his last breath.
After 4 difficult years, Boseman succumbed to the wretched disease, leaving his family and wife as his survivors. Wife? Yes, wife, because he exchanged vows with his long time girlfriend shortly before passing over to the other world.
Reports have been circling that Boseman married his wife Taylor Simone Ledward secretly before dying. The actor had proposed Ledward, a singer who graduated from California State Polytechnic University last year in October, but they reportedly made the vows secretly to "stay beside each other in sickness and in health, till death do them apart" before his cancer got worse.
When Boseman's family announced his death on Instagram, the statement went like this: "A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much," they continued and added, "From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side."
Not many people were aware of their romance as they kept it away from the eyes of the tabloids until they were seen for the first time together back in 2015 at Los Angeles International Airport, reported Us Weekly. Three years later in 2018, their relationship was confirmed by Ledward's grandmother when she spoke to In Touch.
“They respect each other,” she said. “She’s very happy, and he is, too.” Just a year later they made their public appearance at the 50th NAACP Image Awards. Ledward accompanied Boseman as he received the award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance as King T’Challa in Black Panther. It was just a year into their relationship when Boseman received the devastating news about his cancer but he had Ledward by his side, reported The Daily Mail.
Last year in March he opened up about his love for his then-girlfriend for the first time. While accepting his award at the NAACP Image awards he said, "Simone, you're with me every day. I have to acknowledge you right now. Love you." Ledward could be seen mouthing back the words "I love you" as the camera panned to her.
Ledward's sister too didn't stop herself from commenting on the lovebirds' relationship. When Lupita Lupita Nyong'o posted a picture with Boseman in 2019, she commented, "His real life queen is gorgeous, and together they embody true love. Not to mention they would make some beautiful babies."
Throughout the award season of 2019, Ledward was with the 43-year-old actor, providing him with the love and support he needed. According to MediaTakeOut, the 21 Bridges actor reportedly popped the question in October 2019 in Malibu during a date. "Chadwick and Simone got engaged. It was a long time coming and everyone is really happy," revealed a close friend.
The couple was seen together publicly for the last time in February this year at the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago, enjoying the game whilst joking and laughing. Boseman and Ledward, inseparable, were reportedly planning to tie the knot in 2020 but the actor's news of death came as a shock just ten months after they were believed to have been engaged, reported The Daily Mail.
References:
https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/chadwick-boseman-dating-taylor-simone-ledward-157377/
https://mtonews.com/black-panther-star-chadwick-boseman-gets-engaged
