Billy Dee Williams is basically the definition of "cool." Whether you know him as the smooth-talking Lando Calrissian or the romantic lead in Lady Sings the Blues, he has spent decades being the guy every man wanted to be and every woman wanted to be with. But behind the capes and the Colt 45 commercials, there’s a much more grounded story. It’s the story of Teruko Nakagami, the woman who has been by his side for over half a century.
When people search for Billy Dee Williams wife, they usually expect a short bio or a quick "who is she?" snippet. Honestly, though, their relationship is way more interesting than just a bullet point on a Wikipedia page. It’s a messy, beautiful, long-haul Hollywood marriage that survived a near-divorce and decades of the spotlight.
Who exactly is Teruko Nakagami?
Teruko Nakagami isn’t just a "celebrity spouse." She had a whole life and a pretty famous connections before she ever met Billy Dee. Born in Chicago, Teruko was actually married to the legendary jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter before she met Williams. Together, she and Shorter had a daughter named Miyako. If you’re a jazz fan, you might recognize that name—Shorter actually wrote the song "Miyako" for his daughter.
Teruko and Billy Dee tied the knot on December 27, 1972. This was right as Billy’s career was exploding. He had just done Lady Sings the Blues with Diana Ross, and he was officially the biggest heartthrob in America. Imagine being married to the man the entire world is swooning over. It couldn’t have been easy.
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The bumpy road of a 50-year marriage
Most people don't realize that Billy Dee and Teruko almost didn't make it. In 1993, after about 21 years of marriage, Billy Dee actually filed for divorce. It was "amicable," or so the papers said, but for a while, it looked like they were totally done.
But then something happened. They didn't go through with it.
By 1997, they were back together and living under the same roof again. In his 2024 memoir, What Have We Here?, Billy Dee gets surprisingly real about his own failings as a husband. He’s referred to himself as a "philanderer" in interviews, admitting that monogamy was always a struggle for him. That kind of honesty is rare in Hollywood. It makes you realize that Teruko isn't just a wife—she’s a woman with an incredible amount of patience and a deep understanding of the man she married.
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Their life and family today
The couple has one daughter together, Hanako Williams, who was born in 1973. Hanako is super successful in her own right, working as a general manager for a high-end art gallery. Family seems to be the thing that keeps them glued together. Despite the ups and downs, Billy Dee has always spoken about his children with a ton of pride.
- Audrey Sellers: His first wife (1959-1963). They had one son, Corey.
- Marlene Clark: His second wife (1968-1971), who was a well-known actress and model.
- Teruko Nakagami: His third wife and clearly the one who "stuck."
Even though Billy Dee joked in his book about being a "lover boy" his whole life, he’s spent the last 50+ years legally bound to Teruko. That says something about the bond they share.
Why their story matters in 2026
In an era where celebrity marriages last about as long as a TikTok trend, seeing a couple stay together for over 50 years—especially after a formal separation—is kind of wild. They represent a different era of Hollywood, one where you worked through the "philanderer" phases and the career highs and lows.
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People often ask if they are still together. As of now, they remain married. They live a relatively quiet life in California, far removed from the constant paparazzi grind of the younger Star Wars cast. Teruko has stayed out of the limelight for the most part, choosing to let Billy have the stage while she holds down the fort.
What we can learn from them
If you're looking for the "secret" to their longevity, it’s probably not what you think. It isn't a fairy tale. It's about:
- Resilience: Deciding to come back together after a legal filing is a huge deal.
- Acceptance: Based on Billy’s recent interviews, it seems Teruko knows exactly who he is, flaws and all.
- Family Focus: They’ve prioritized their blended family, including children from previous marriages.
If you want to understand the man who played Lando, you have to understand the woman who stayed. Teruko Nakagami isn't just a name in a biography. She’s the anchor for one of the most iconic actors in cinema history.
Practical next steps for fans
If you want to get the full, unvarnished story of their relationship directly from the source, you should check out Billy Dee Williams' memoir, What Have We Here?: Portraits of a Life. He goes into much more detail about his marriages and his "philandering" years than you'll find in any tabloid. Also, if you’re interested in their daughter Hanako’s work, she frequently curates art shows that are worth following if you’re in the Los Angeles area. Understanding their family dynamic gives you a much better perspective on how the "coolest man in Hollywood" actually lived his life behind the scenes.