You’ve seen her on the red carpet, usually decked out in massive, glittering hoops and standing next to one of hip-hop’s most enduring icons. But honestly, calling Simone I. Smith just the wife of LL COOL J is kinda like saying the engine is just a "part" of the car. It’s technically true, but it misses the entire point of why the machine actually runs.
Todd Smith—the world knows him as LL COOL J—has been married to Simone for nearly thirty years. In Hollywood years, that’s basically a century. People always ask how they do it. How does a guy who literally branded himself "Ladies Love Cool James" stay in a committed, drama-free marriage since 1995?
It wasn't always easy. Not even close.
Meeting at the Stop Sign: A 1980s Queens Love Story
The way they met is legendary in its simplicity. It was 1987. Todd was just a nineteen-year-old kid from Farmers Boulevard with a burgeoning career and a flashy car. He was driving through the neighborhood when he saw a friend. That friend happened to be Simone’s cousin.
"Hey, you want to meet my cousin?" the friend asked.
Todd looked over, saw Simone, and that was it. He was hooked. They were just teenagers, really.
They dated for eight years before they actually tied the knot. During those eight years, LL COOL J became a global superstar. He was the face of Def Jam. He was a sex symbol. Simone was there for the rise, the fall, and the reinvention. She wasn't some video vixen he met at a wrap party; she was the girl from the block who knew Todd before he had the hats, the muscle, or the Grammys.
The 2004 Health Crisis That Changed Everything
If you want to understand the backbone of this relationship, you have to look at 2004. This is the part people usually gloss over because it's heavy.
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Simone found a lump on her leg.
It turned out to be stage III chondrosarcoma. That's a rare, aggressive form of bone cancer. It wasn't just a "scare." It was a fight for her life. She had to undergo an invasive, twelve-hour surgery to replace her humerus bone.
Todd didn't just play the supportive husband; he effectively put his career on ice. He told her, "I’m not leaving your side." He stayed in the hospital room. He handled the kids. He prayed. When you see him today talking about "Real Love" or "Commitment," he isn't reciting lyrics. He’s talking about the time he spent watching his wife relearn how to walk.
Simone has been cancer-free for two decades now. That experience is exactly why she launched her jewelry line, Simone I. Smith. A portion of the proceeds from her signature "Sweet Touch of Hope" lollipop charms goes to the American Cancer Society. She turned a literal life-and-death struggle into a business that gives back. That’s boss energy.
The "Round the Way Girl" Business Empire
People often underestimate the business savvy required to maintain a brand for forty years. Simone isn't just a socialite. She’s a co-founder.
Her jewelry line isn't some vanity project where she just slaps her name on a box. She’s deeply involved in the design, specifically leaning into the "old school Queens" aesthetic. Think big hoops. Door-knockers. Nameplates. It’s a nostalgic nod to the 80s and 90s hip-hop culture that raised her.
She’s collaborated with legends like Mary J. Blige for the "Sister Love" collection. These aren't just accessories; they are cultural markers.
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Why Their Marriage Actually Works
Let’s get real for a second. Why do they last when everyone else in the industry is signing divorce papers?
- The "Two-Week" Rule: They’ve mentioned in past interviews that they don't like to spend more than two weeks apart. Even with his filming schedule for NCIS: Los Angeles or his hosting gigs, family comes first.
- Mutual Respect: Todd has gone on record saying he doesn't make major decisions without her. She’s his sounding board.
- Privacy: You don't see them in the tabloids. They don't do reality TV. They don't air their grievances on Instagram Live. They keep the "sacred" part of marriage sacred.
- Faith: Both have been very vocal about their Christian faith being the glue during the cancer battle and the stresses of fame.
Raising Four Kids in the Spotlight
Being the wife of LL COOL J also meant raising four children—Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina—while their father was one of the most famous men on earth.
They didn't raise "Hollywood brats."
The Smith kids are mostly low-key. Italia is a licensed real estate agent. Nina is pursuing music (under the name Nina-Symone). Samaria graduated from FIT and started her own denim line. Najee is a photographer. Simone was the primary force behind that stability. While LL was on tour or on set, she was the one ensuring the house stayed grounded. She managed the chaos of a superstar's life without letting it swallow her children's identities.
Misconceptions About Simone
People think she’s just "the lady on his arm." Honestly? That’s insulting.
She’s a survivor. She’s an entrepreneur. She’s a philanthropist.
There was a famous story—Todd told this on Oprah years ago—about the "Power" video. There was a scene where a girl was licking his face. Simone didn't speak to him for two weeks. She told him, "I’m a mother, I’m a professional, you don't need to be doing all that."
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He listened.
He realized that his "Cool James" persona had to respect the boundaries of his "Todd Smith" reality. That’s the kind of influence she has. She isn't a "yes" person. She’s his moral compass.
How to Support the Mission
If you’re a fan of the family or just inspired by Simone’s journey, there are actual ways to engage with her work beyond just following her on Instagram.
- Check out Simone I. Smith Jewelry: If you like the aesthetic of the 90s but want high-quality craftsmanship, her collections are legit.
- Support the American Cancer Society: Follow the "Beat Cancer Like a Boss" campaign, which Simone helped spearhead.
- Follow the Kids: If you want to see how the next generation is moving, Samaria and Nina are doing interesting things in fashion and music that actually carry the family’s work ethic forward.
The Takeaway
Simone I. Smith is a blueprint.
In a world of "clout chasing" and "starter marriages," she represents the old-school values of loyalty and resilience. She survived a life-threatening illness, raised four successful kids, and built a jewelry empire, all while being married to one of the most lusted-after men in entertainment history.
She isn't just a "wife." She’s the architect of the Smith family legacy.
To emulate the success of the Smith household, focus on these three things:
- Prioritize Wellness: Never ignore health symptoms. Simone’s early detection of her lump saved her life. Regular check-ups are non-negotiable.
- Build Your Own: Even if your partner is successful, maintain your own identity and business ventures. It creates a balanced power dynamic and personal fulfillment.
- Keep It Private: Protect your "inner circle." Not every win (or every fight) needs to be shared with the public.
By focusing on these core pillars, Simone has managed to stay relevant and respected for over thirty years in an industry that usually forgets people in thirty minutes.