Who Is LL Cool J's Wife Simone I. Smith? The Jewelry Designer Revealed

A Lasting Love: LL Cool J and Simone I. Smith's 30-Year Journey

In August 2025, LL Cool J and his wife, Simone I. Smith, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, marking a remarkable journey of love, support, and partnership. Their story began in the late 1980s when they met as teenagers in New York City, setting the stage for a relationship that would span decades.

Early Days and Meeting in Queens

LL Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, and Simone I. Smith grew up in Queens, New York, where they first crossed paths. During a 2012 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the rapper shared how they were introduced through a mutual connection in 1987. He recalled an Easter day when he was driving in his mother’s car and stopped to greet a friend, who then encouraged him to meet the friend’s cousin. That moment led to the start of their relationship.

Simone I. Smith often reminisces about their early days, sharing throwback photos and memories. In January 2023, she posted a nostalgic image captioned, "When I was 17 and he was 19 we fell deep in love growing up in Queens!"

Entrepreneurial Spirit and Jewelry Design

Simone I. Smith has always been a driven individual. In 2011, she co-founded her own jewelry line, Simone I. Smith Jewelry. The brand was inspired by her personal experience with cancer, which she faced in 2004. She was diagnosed with stage III chondrosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and underwent a 15-hour surgery to replace the affected bone. After a long recovery, she has remained cancer-free since.

Her designs reflect a blend of elegance and strength, and the brand has gained recognition from major celebrities like Mary J. Blige. Collaborations with organizations such as the American Cancer Society have also highlighted her commitment to raising awareness and supporting others.

In addition to her work with the American Cancer Society, Simone I. Smith launched a signature lollipop collection of pendant necklaces that symbolize her cancer journey. A portion of the proceeds from each sale supports the organization.

A Unique Proposal and Marital Commitment

After dating for several years, LL Cool J and Simone I. Smith married on August 7, 1995. Their proposal was anything but conventional. In his 1997 memoir, I Make My Own Rules, LL Cool J described how he proposed during a ride in his Porsche. Instead of getting down on one knee, he turned off the music, drove at high speed, and asked her to marry him. He didn’t slow down until she said “yes.”

Simone I. Smith has always shown her love through heartfelt tributes. On their 23rd anniversary in 2018, she shared the lyrics to his hit song “Candy Girl” alongside a photo of them, writing, “Happy 23 Baby!!! I’ll be your Candy Girl Forever 💜💜.” More recently, she celebrated their 30th anniversary with a touching Instagram post reflecting on their journey together.

“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,” she wrote. “We’ve laughed, cried, prayed, forgiven, and grown—together. We did the work, and God did the rest. 💜.”

Family Life and Grandparents

The couple has four children together: sons Najee and daughters Italia, Samaria, and Nina. Their eldest daughter, Italia, has three children, making LL Cool J and Simone I. Smith proud grandparents. Their youngest daughter, Nina, is following in her father’s footsteps by pursuing a career as a singer. She has released several singles and graduated from Berklee College of Music in May 2023.

Friendship with Mary J. Blige and Collaborations

Simone I. Smith has a long-standing friendship with singer Mary J. Blige. In 2018, they collaborated on a jewelry line called Sister Love, which was inspired by their bond. The line was unveiled at the Essence Festival, where they spoke about their friendship and the importance of supporting one another.

“We are two New York 'Fly girls' from Yonkers [Blige] and Queens [Smith] with so many similarities,” Simone I. Smith said. “Together we make Black girl magic to empower women to be strong, fearless and unstoppable.”

Support Through Challenges

Throughout their marriage, LL Cool J has been a steadfast supporter of Simone I. Smith. During her battle with cancer, he put his career on hold to be by her side. In a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he emphasized the importance of being there for someone in difficult times.

“You don’t abandon someone in that foxhole,” he said. “You gotta be there in that foxhole with them. I made some decisions professionally and decided to be by Simone's side more during that period.”