Martin Lawrence has been married twice, first to Patricia Southall from 1995 to 1997 and later to Shamicka Gibbs from 2010 to 2012. The beloved comedian and actor, who rose to fame in the 1990s with his hit sitcom Martin and the Bad Boys film franchise, is currently unmarried but reportedly in a relationship with Angie Gonzalez. His two marriages produced three daughters who remain central to his personal life.
The First Wife: Patricia Southall
Martin Lawrence’s first wife was Patricia Southall, a former beauty queen who won the Miss Virginia USA crown in late 1993 and placed first runner-up in the Miss USA 1994 pageant. The couple met in 1992 while Southall was working for the then Governor of Virginia, Douglas Wilder . They married on January 7, 1995, in a ceremony that marked the beginning of Lawrence’s journey into married life.
The marriage lasted approximately two years, and the couple divorced in 1997. During their time together, they welcomed their daughter Jasmin Page Lawrence, who was born on January 15, 1996 . Despite the relatively short duration of their marriage, Lawrence and Southall have maintained a positive co-parenting relationship over the years.
Following her divorce from Lawrence, Patricia Southall married football legend Emmitt Smith in April 2000. The couple has three children together and remains happily married. Southall has built a successful career as an entrepreneur, founding Treasure You, a women’s support group devoted to encouraging women to find their passion in life, and serving as the CEO of Pat Smith Enterprise . She has also been a stepmother to Smith’s daughter, Rheagen, from a previous relationship.
In 2023, Southall publicly praised her ex-husband via Instagram, writing, “Congratulations Martin!!! I’m still processing the enormous depth of work you’ve created!! I have always stood in awe of your dedication and fortitude, the opportunities you’ve created for so many, your genuine ‘One Love’ for all … especially for your family … and your unwavering faith in God!!!” . This public display of mutual respect demonstrates the amicable nature of their post-divorce relationship.
The Second Wife: Shamicka Gibbs
Martin Lawrence’s second wife is Shamicka Gibbs, an entrepreneur, chef, and television personality who appeared on the VH1 reality series Hollywood Exes. The couple began dating in 1997, shortly after Lawrence’s divorce from Patricia Southall . Their relationship spanned more than a decade before they decided to marry.
Lawrence and Gibbs welcomed two daughters before tying the knot. Their first daughter, Iyanna Faith, was born on November 6, 2000 . Their second daughter, Amara Trinity, followed on August 20, 2002 . The couple finally married on July 10, 2010, at Lawrence’s Beverly Hills home in a lavish ceremony attended by 120 guests, including actors Eddie Murphy and Denzel Washington, as well as baseball legend Barry Bonds .
Unfortunately, the marriage lasted only two years. On April 25, 2012, Lawrence filed for divorce from Gibbs, citing irreconcilable differences and requesting joint legal and physical custody of their children . Following their divorce, Lawrence’s Beverly Hills mansion was available for lease at $200,000 per month in June 2012 and later sold for $17.2 million in 2013 .
Despite the divorce, Lawrence and Gibbs have remained on excellent terms. In May 2024, the former couple attended the Bad Boys: Ride or Die premiere in Los Angeles together, holding hands and posing on the red carpet alongside their three daughters . Gibbs has since married Antwuan “Ace” Hill in 2022, and the couple continues to co-parent their daughters effectively.Martin Lawrence: Quick Bio
A Look at Martin Lawrence’s Three Daughters
Lawrence is the father of three daughters from his two marriages. Each daughter has pursued her own path while maintaining strong bonds with her famous father.
Jasmin Page Lawrence, born on January 15, 1996, is Lawrence’s eldest daughter from his marriage to Patricia Southall. She served as a flower girl at her father’s second wedding to Shamicka Gibbs and has maintained a close relationship with both parents. Jasmin is reportedly engaged to Eddie Murphy’s son, creating an interesting celebrity family connection .
Iyanna Faith Lawrence, born on November 6, 2000, is Lawrence’s first daughter with Shamicka Gibbs. In 2018, Lawrence documented dropping Iyanna off at Sarah Lawrence College in New York for her freshman year, posting an emotional Instagram photo with the caption, “Today was one of the hardest days of my life. I left my baby girl at school to start her new chapter of college life” . This heartfelt post revealed the deep bond between father and daughter.
Amara Trinity Lawrence, born on August 20, 2002, is the youngest of Lawrence’s children. She is an aspiring singer and songwriter with two original tracks on SoundCloud. In 2020, Amara wrote a loving tribute to her father on Instagram, saying, “You have always put your heart into everything you do even if it takes more time than you expect. I’m so blessed to say that I was raised by such a humble and loving person who has always tried to do the best he could to make sure we could accomplish anything we put our minds to” .
All three daughters accompanied their father and stepmother Shamicka Gibbs to the Bad Boys: Ride or Die premiere in 2024, demonstrating the strong family unit that has formed around Lawrence despite his past marital challenges.
Other Relationships in Martin Lawrence’s Romantic History
Before and after his marriages, Lawrence has been linked to several other women. In the 1990s, he was engaged to actress Lark Voorhies, who guest-starred on his sitcom Martin . The engagement ended in 1994 when Lawrence announced he was single on The Arsenio Hall Show.
In 2017, Lawrence was engaged to Roberta Moradfar, a cosmetic nurse practitioner. However, the engagement did not result in marriage, and the couple was last spotted together at an Oscar party in February 2020 . These relationships, while not resulting in marriage, offer additional context to Lawrence’s romantic history.
Current Relationship with Angie Gonzalez
Martin Lawrence is currently in a relationship with Angie Gonzalez, and the couple has reportedly been dating since 2022. The relationship became more visible in 2024 and 2025, with the couple appearing together at various industry events.
One notable public appearance was the Los Angeles premiere of Highest 2 Lowest in August 2025 . Angie Gonzalez also shared an Instagram photo of the couple snuggling near the water at sunset to celebrate Lawrence’s 61st birthday, writing, “Happy birthday my Love!!!” . While the couple has not publicly confirmed their relationship, their appearances together suggest a serious commitment.
Lawrence was also spotted with Gonzalez and his three adult daughters at the red carpet premiere of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, indicating that she has been integrated into his family life .
The Evolution of Martin Lawrence’s Family Life
Martin Lawrence’s journey through marriage and fatherhood reflects the complexities of balancing a high-profile career in entertainment with personal relationships. From his early days as a stand-up comedian to his breakthrough on Martin and his blockbuster success in the Bad Boys franchise alongside Will Smith, Lawrence has navigated the challenges of fame while maintaining connections with his ex-wives and children.
His ability to maintain friendly relationships with both Patricia Southall and Shamicka Gibbs after divorce is noteworthy in Hollywood, where contentious splits often make headlines. The family’s public appearances together, such as the Bad Boys: Ride or Die premiere, demonstrate a mature approach to co-parenting and family unity.
Lawrence’s children have become an integral part of his public identity. His openness about his love for his daughters, as evidenced by his emotional Instagram post about Iyanna leaving for college, humanizes the comedian and reveals a devoted father beneath the larger-than-life on-screen persona.
Conclusion
Martin Lawrence’s wife history includes two marriages to Patricia Southall and Shamicka Gibbs, both of which produced children who remain central to his life. He is currently unmarried and reportedly dating Angie Gonzalez. Despite two divorces, Lawrence has maintained positive relationships with both ex-wives, setting an example of successful co-parenting in the entertainment industry. His three daughters, Jasmin, Iyanna, and Amara, continue to be a source of pride and joy, appearing with their father at red carpet events and supporting his career. As Lawrence continues his successful run in Hollywood, his family remains a testament to the enduring importance of personal relationships alongside professional achievement.1. Is Martin Lawrence currently married?
No, Martin Lawrence is not currently married. He has been in a relationship with Angie Gonzalez since approximately 2022, but the couple has not announced any engagement or marriage plans.
2. How many times has Martin Lawrence been married?
Martin Lawrence has been married twice. His first wife was Patricia Southall, a former Miss Virginia USA, whom he married in 1995 and divorced in 1997. His second wife was Shamicka Gibbs, whom he married in 2010 and divorced in 2012.
3. Who is Martin Lawrence’s first wife?
Martin Lawrence’s first wife is Patricia Southall, a former beauty queen who won Miss Virginia USA in 1993 and placed first runner-up in the Miss USA 1994 pageant. After her divorce from Lawrence, she married NFL legend Emmitt Smith in 2000.
4. Does Martin Lawrence have children with his ex-wives?
Yes, Martin Lawrence has three daughters total. He has one daughter, Jasmin Page Lawrence, with his first wife Patricia Southall. He has two daughters, Iyanna Faith and Amara Trinity Lawrence, with his second wife Shamicka Gibbs.
5. Who is Martin Lawrence’s current partner?
Martin Lawrence is currently in a relationship with Angie Gonzalez. The couple has been together since around 2022 and has made several public appearances together, including the premiere of Highest 2 Lowest in August 2025 and celebrating his 61st birthday.
