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 Joanna, Sidney had experienced another chapter in his personal life. His first marriage, along with a nearly decade-long romance outside of it, unfolded alongside his groundbreaking contributions to Hollywood.

Sidney’s journey was as extraordinary as the roles he played. Born two months premature in Miami in 1927 while his Bahamian parents, Evelyn and Reginald Poitier, were selling tomatoes, his survival seemed unlikely. His father even brought home a shoebox, fearing the worst. Instead, Sidney defied the odds and thrived.

He spent his early years on Cat Island in the Bahamas, where life was simple but fulfilling despite the lack of electricity and paved roads. After a period in Nassau, he moved to Florida at 15 to live with his brother before heading to Harlem, where he washed dishes to support himself.

Determined to carve out a better future, Sidney joined the Army before returning to dishwashing jobs. His path took a pivotal turn when he found the American Negro Theater, where he exchanged janitorial work for acting lessons. His dedication paid off, leading to a breakthrough on Broadway in “Lysistrata,” marking the start of his stage career.

Hollywood recognition came more gradually, but in 1950, he landed a defining role in “No Way Out.” The racially charged drama positioned him as a dignified Black doctor confronting deep-seated prejudice, setting the stage for a career that would challenge industry norms.

That same year, as Sidney stepped into Hollywood with his debut in “No Way Out,” he also entered a new chapter in his personal life, marrying model and dancer Juanita Hardy. “I had faith in myself and faith in the future — enough of each to marry a beautiful young girl,” he once reflected in an interview.

Two years later, in 1952, their first daughter Beverly Poiter, 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 admitted.

Despite the financial struggles of his early career, Sidney and Juanita continued growing their family. Their daughter Pamela arrived in 1954, followed by Sherri in 1956. Years later, they welcomed their youngest, Gina Poitier, who tragically passed away several years later.

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.

That same year, 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.

Years later, in 1964, Sidney became the first Black man to win the Best Actor Academy Award for his role in “Lilies of the Field,” portraying Homer Smith, a traveling handyman who helps a group of nuns build a chapel in the desert.

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,” said Aram Goudsouzian, author of “Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon.” “Sexual temptations were a factor in Sidney and Juanita drifting apart.”

Their separation was a difficult chapter. “That breakup was a long, painful, scarring period for all concerned,” Sidney once admitted. “Juanita had no interest in dismantling the family. She knew there was great dissatisfaction on my part, but she was a good Catholic girl.”

Beyond their struggles, there was another truth he could not ignore, “I was in love with another woman” — Diahann Carroll. Sidney and Diahann met while filming “Porgy and Bess,” drawn to each other despite being married to others. They agreed to leave their spouses, but Sidney hesitated, and their complicated romance lasted nearly a decade.

Although he and Diahann never wed, his marriage to Juanita ended in 1965. Three years later, he met Canadian actress Joanna Shimkus on the set of “The Lost Man,” and their connection proved lasting.

Their bond quickly deepened, leading to a family of their own. The couple welcomed two daughters, with Anika Poitier arriving in 1972, followed by their youngest, Sidney, in 1973.

They married in 1976, with Sidney crediting Joanna for teaching him the importance of expressing love daily. She described him as the most honest and kind man she had ever known.

In the 1998 PBS documentary “Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light,” Joanna reflected on their marriage and the challenges of an interracial relationship, saying it was never an issue for them, “I guess we were just destined to be [together].” Her perspective on their relationship was shaped by her upbringing, making their bond feel effortless despite societal expectations.

“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 explained. Their quiet life together may have shielded them from challenges others faced, but for her, race was never a defining factor.

“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,” said Joanna about her husband.

Joanna admired many qualities in Sidney, but what stood out most was his integrity, honesty, and devotion to his family. She described him as an exceptional person with a kind heart. She also couldn’t deny his charm, admitting that he was “very, very attractive” in his younger years and still remained so.

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.

“[…] 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,” said the legendary actor.

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 took great care of him — acts of love that strengthened their bond over the years.

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.

Joanna 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 set high standards, particularly when it came to values, but took pride in seeing those principles reflected in his six children. To him, those values weren’t restrictive — they were rooted in humanity, and he appreciated the intelligence and character his children displayed.

The Hollywood star’s influence endured far beyond his lifetime. After his passing in January 2022 at 94, Joanna discovered a drawer filled with his speeches while organizing his office.

Reading through them, she realized they contained his deepest thoughts and observations on life, inspiring her to share them with the world in a book titled “Sidney Poitier: The Great Speeches of an Icon Who Moved Us Forward.”

In an excerpt, Joanna 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.

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, Joanna never heard his original accent or saw him raise his voice, even with their children. Their relationship was built on mutual respect, and his legacy of wisdom and kindness lived on.