A Milestone in Matrimony: LL Cool J and Simone I. Smith Mark 30 Years of Marriage
NEW YORK, NY – August 7, 2025 – In a landscape often characterized by fleeting unions, hip-hop icon LL Cool J and his beloved wife, Simone I. Smith, are celebrating a remarkable milestone: 30 years of marriage. Smith recently took to Instagram to commemorate their enduring bond, offering fans a rare glimpse into the early days of their romance and sharing profound insights into the foundation of their decades-long partnership.
The heartfelt tribute featured a vintage photograph, capturing the couple beaming, their arms wrapped intimately around each other, seemingly from the nascent stages of their relationship. “30 years of marriage today. All glory to our Lord and savior Jesus the Christ‼️,” Smith captioned the nostalgic image, which was quickly met with an outpouring of well wishes from their collective fan base. In her reflective post, the jewelry designer articulated the principles she believes have cemented their union, emphasizing that “Marriage isn’t for the weak, it’s for the faithful. It takes work, love, listening, picking your battles, being a friend, a prayer warrior, a cheerleader, and a safe place.”
Their Journey Through the Years
Their enduring love story began modestly in 1987 in New York City, when they first crossed paths as teenagers through a mutual friend. What blossomed was an eight-year courtship that culminated in their wedding vows on August 7, 1995. The “Mama Said Knock You Out” rapper, born James Todd Smith, detailed his unconventional proposal in his 1997 memoir, I Make My Own Rules. As he recounted, he dramatically turned down the music in his Porsche and accelerated, proposing to Simone at top speed, refusing to slow down until she uttered a resounding “yes.”
Public Appearances and Enduring Presence
Over the past three decades, the couple has not only built a formidable legacy in entertainment and entrepreneurship but also a robust family. They are proud parents to four children – son Najee and daughters Italia, Samaria, and Nina – and have embraced the joys of grandparenthood, with their eldest daughter, Italia, having two children of her own.
Overcoming Challenges Together
Their journey, while seemingly idyllic, has also been marked by significant challenges, illustrating the “work” Smith speaks of. Beyond the typical relationship ebbs and flows, the couple faced a harrowing health battle when Simone was diagnosed with stage III chondrosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer affecting her right leg. Through treatment and recovery, LL Cool J remained a steadfast pillar of support. Since her successful treatment, the couple has channeled their experience into advocacy, dedicating efforts to help others battling the disease.
Simone I. Smith’s public reflection underscores that there is no singular “blueprint” for a lasting marriage, but rather a need for “just grace, commitment and two people willing to grow through every season together.” Their consistent open displays of affection, like Smith writing the lyrics to LL Cool J’s hit “Candy Girl” for their 23rd anniversary – adding, “I’ll be your Candy Girl Forever” – further exemplify their commitment. “We’ve laughed, cried, prayed, forgiven, and grown—together,” she concluded. “We did the work, and God did the rest. 💜 30 years. Countless memories. One God who kept us. 🗣️LORD I THANK YOU‼️🙏🏽💜✨”
