Simone Ledward Boseman reflects on the five years since Chadwick Boseman's passing, sharing intimate details about his secret battle with cancer, their private relationship, the challenges of public grief, and her journey to protect his legacy while forging her own path.
In a rare interview, Simone Ledward Boseman, widow of the late actor Chadwick Boseman, opens up about the five years since his death, describing how 'the edges of grief get less sharp over time.' She reflects on the global shock of his passing at 43 from colorectal cancer, a diagnosis kept secret to prevent interference with his work, including filming seven movies like 'Black Panther' during treatment. Ledward Boseman details their private six-year relationship, which began in 2014, emphasizing their small circle of trust due to the intense public scrutiny and his health. She recounts facing criticism for her mixed heritage after 'Black Panther' and her own journey of leaving a conservative religious upbringing to pursue music. The interview delves into her challenging public grief, accepting awards on his behalf, and learning from Chadwick that 'sometimes 'no' is a full sentence.' She articulates her guiding principle: 'I don’t have to create his legacy, I just have to protect it,' highlighting her involvement in 'Wakanda Forever' and her advocacy for colorectal cancer awareness, stressing that his life should be remembered for 'the way that he lived.' The article also covers the revival of Chadwick’s play 'Deep Azure' at Shakespeare’s Globe, a piece mirroring a real-life tragedy, and Simone's healing process through reading it. She fondly recalls 2018 as their best year, with Chadwick cancer-free, and shares her regrets about not discussing death more openly before their engagement in 2019 and private wedding. Looking forward, Ledward Boseman is building her own life, planning a wine bar, and advancing her music career as 'sahn,' noting Chadwick as her 'most important spiritual teacher.' She concludes by expressing her love for remembering him and communing with his spirit, quoting Henry Scott Holland’s 'Death is Nothing at All.'
