Teruko Nakagami is most famously recognized as the spouse of experienced performer Billy Dee Williams. They have been in a committed relationship for more than half a century and serve as a valuable inspiration for younger married couples.
It seems as though destiny brought them together, considering they were both previously married before finding love with one another.
Teruko Nakagami Bio Summary
Full name: Teruko Irene Nakagami
Gender: Female
Date of birth: 1946
Age: 78 years old (as of January 2024)
Place of birth: Chicago, United States of America
Current residence: United States of America
Nationality: Japanese-American
Ethnicity: Asian
Sexuality: Straight
Height: 5 ft 5 in (167 cm)
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Dark brown
Marital status: Married
Husband: Billy Dee Williams
Ex-husband: Wayne Shorter
Children: 2
School: Hyde Park High School
College: Tokyo University of the Arts
Profession: Model and actress
Early Life
Born in 1946 in Chicago, USA, Teruko Nakagami’s childhood took a difficult turn when, at only six years old, she and her twin sister were relocated to a Japanese-American internment camp in California. Despite the hardships of camp life, Teruko found comfort in playing games with her fellow children.
Personal Life
Teruko Nakagami and Billy Dee Williams were married on 27 December 1972 in a private ceremony at their home in Tokyo, Japan.
This marriage brought their family closer together, strengthening their ties in both Japan and the United States. The following year, their daughter Hanako Williams was born.
Billy Dee Williams, the husband of Teruko Nakagami, was born in New York City on 6 April 1937 and has enjoyed a remarkable career lasting more than 50 years, highlighted by many impressive film and television performances.
He has gained worldwide acclaim for his portrayal of the charming Lando Calrissian in the last two parts of the original Star Wars trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
In addition to his well-known role in Star Wars, he has delivered impressive performances in Lady Sings the Blues, Nighthawks, Batman, Moving Target, and Undercover Brother.
In addition to his acting abilities, Billy is also widely recognized for his artistic skills. He is a skilled painter whose oil paintings have gained significant recognition in professional exhibitions, frequently selling for large sums of money.
His artwork is on display in esteemed establishments such as the National Portrait Gallery and the Schomburg Museum.
After four years of marriage, Teruko and Billy Dee Williams separated in 1993 and filed for divorce. However, in 1997 they surprised everyone by getting back together and have been happily married for almost 30 years since then. This reconciliation was a significant moment in their relationship, and together they have celebrated 51 years of marriage.
Kids
Billy Dee Williams and Teruko Nakagami have two children, Corey Dee and Hanako. From his third wife’s previous marriage to Wayne Shorter, he also has a stepdaughter named Miyaki. Hanako is the only child of Teruko and Billy Dee Williams and is currently married to Liam Toohey.
Ex-Husband
Before tying the knot with Billy Dee Williams, Teruko Nakagami had been wed to the renowned jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter. They exchanged vows on July 28, 1961, and their daughter, Miyako, was born shortly after. Inspired by his daughter, Wayne Shorter wrote the song “Infant Eyes” as a tribute to her.
After meeting Shorter, Nakagami, also known as Irene, decided to change her name to Teruko. Shorter’s love for Japan greatly impacted their relationship, bringing a new musical and familial aspect to Nakagami’s life. In his 1966 album Speak No Evil, her former husband described her as resembling a Japanese version of Audrey Hepburn.
Billy Dee Williams’ Previous Marriages
Before his third and current marriage, the actor was previously married twice. His first wife was Audrey Sellers, and together they had a son named Corey Dee Williams, who was born in 1960.
The end of their marriage caused the actor to experience a deep depression. In 1968, Williams wed Marlene Clark in Hawaii, but their union only lasted a brief few years and did not result in any children.
