Kerry Washington is an African-American actress born into a family of mixed ethnicity, partly English, Scottish, African, and Native American.
Key Takeaways
- Kerry Washington’s father is African-American, and her mother is African, English, and Scottish.
- Washington couple married on May 27, 1972, at St. Ann’s Church.
- Earl Washington is not the biological father of Kerry Washington.
Kerry’s father, Earl Washington, is African-American with roots in South Carolina who later moved to Brooklyn.
Her mother, Valerie Washington, has Jamaican ancestry that encompasses African, English, and Scottish heritage. She later migrated to Manhattan with her family.
Valerie grew up living on Wells Avenue and 1098 Simpson Street, where her parents worked as building superintendents.
Valerie attended Herman Ritter Junior High and later Washington Irving High School, where she formed a lasting friendship with Claudell Washington.
After graduating high school, she pursued higher education at Hunter Uptown, Lehman College. It was there that she met her first husband; however, their marriage ended following personal struggles.
Love Found in Unlikely Places: The Story of Valerie and Earl
After her divorce, Valerie’s crucial moment occurred when her high school friend Claudell invited her to her home in Brooklyn for a family party and introduced her to Earl, Claudell’s younger brother.
Earl, a former college athlete at the University of Pittsburgh and a U.S. Army member, met Valerie at a family party in Brooklyn.
Despite Earl being in a relationship at the time, the two hit it off and spent the evening engaging in meaningful conversation.
Their connection deepened during an outing to the Rockaways in Queens when Earl realized he had found love in Valerie.
Their bond ultimately led to marriage on May 27, 1972, at St. Ann’s Church in the South Bronx.
They welcomed their daughter, Kerry Washington, five years into their union on January 31, 1977.
A Heartwarming Relationship and the Surprising Revelation
In 2018, Kerry learned a surprising truth: after struggling to conceive, her parents decided to use an anonymous sperm donor to conceive her.
Despite the initial shock, this revelation brought the family closer, and Kerry deeply appreciates her parents’ honesty and the love they’ve always shown her.
Expressing her affection for her parents, Kerry often shares her father’s lighthearted jokes on social media, cherishing the moments of laughter and bonding.
Similarly, she holds her mother in high regard, describing her as an inspiring figure and a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Kerry Washington wrote a Memoir, “Thicker than Water,” published on September 26, 2023.
- She is also the television and film director known for her role as the lead actress in the ABC drama series Scandal, Ray, Tim Story, and many more.
- She is married to former NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha and has three children.
