LL Cool J’s wife shared a heartfelt Instagram post on their 30th anniversary, calling marriage “not for the weak” but for “the faithful.”
LL COOL J marked three decades of marriage with a heartfelt tribute from his wife Simone I. Smith on Thursday (August 7) as she shared a vintage photo and a deeply personal message on Instagram celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.
“30 years of marriage today. All glory to our Lord and savior Jesus the Christ!” she wrote. “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.”
The post, which included a throwback photo of the couple in their early years, quickly drew warm wishes from friends and celebrities.
Xscape’s Tamika Scott and Laila Ali both commented “Happy Anniversary,” while Mary J. Blige added, “Happy Anniversary Simone!! and Todd!! 30 years that’s amazing!!”
Simone continued her message with a reflection on the journey they’ve taken together.
“Every marriage has its own DNA. There’s no blueprint… just grace, commitment, and two people willing to grow through every season together,” she wrote. “We’ve laughed, cried, prayed, forgiven, and grown—together. We did the work, and God did the rest. 30 years. Countless memories. One God who kept us. LORD I THANK YOU!”
LL COOL J met Simone in 1987 in New York City when they were both teenagers. After nearly eight years of dating, they tied the knot on August 7, 1995.
In his 1997 memoir I Make My Own Rules, the Hip-Hop icon recalled his unconventional proposal—speeding down the road in his Porsche, turning down the music, and asking her to marry him without slowing the car until she said yes.
The couple has four children—Najee, Italia, Samaria and Nina—and are now grandparents to four grandchildren.
Dealing With LL COOL J’s Sex Symbol Status
In March, Simone opened up on the “Banking on Cultura” podcast about navigating her husband’s public image as a sex symbol.
“I’ve had my times where I would be going off and mad at this one ‘cuz they looked at him this way,” she said. “But that was years ago.”
She added that while she’s fine with women admiring his looks, there’s a line. “The disrespect—I can’t deal with. At 54, I’m ready to take off the hoops,” she joked.
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