Patricia Southall: What Happened to Martin Lawrence’s Former Wife?

Patricia Southall is a former beauty queen and a mother of four. Many people know her as Martin Lawrence’s first wife. She was also married to famous football player Emmitt Smith for 20 years.

But Patricia Southall is more than a famous man’s former wife. She has worked in TV and business. She has also helped many women through her charity work. Her life has been full of change.

So what happened to Patricia Southall? How did she become famous? In this article, we will learn about her childhood and family. We will also look at her two marriages and the hard times she faced.

Patricia Southall Quick Bio

Patricia Southall Early Life

Patricia Southall was born on December 17, 1970. She grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia. Her parents were Henry and Mildred Southall. She also has a twin sister named Pam. The two girls grew up together.

As children, Patricia and Pam helped on their family farm. They cut grass and packed peanuts into bags. Their days were often busy. This work helped Patricia learn that reaching her goals would take time and effort.

Patricia loved fashion from a young age. She dreamed of becoming a model one day. She wanted to do something big with her life. Years later, her dream came true when she became a beauty queen.

Patricia Southall Education and College Life

Patricia Southall went to Western Branch High School in Virginia. She spent her school years learning new things. She also thought about her future. She wanted to get a good education and build a career.

After high school, Patricia joined James Madison University. She studied journalism and earned a college degree. She learned how to write and speak well. These skills later helped her when she began working in TV.

College was an important part of her life. It gave her more ways to follow her dreams. She later became a writer and public speaker. Her school years helped her prepare for the work she would do.

Patricia Southall Beauty Queen Journey

Patricia Southall became famous after winning Miss Virginia USA. She won the title in 1993 for the 1994 contest year. She was the first Black woman to win this title. It was a big moment.

In 1994, she joined the Miss USA contest. Many young women from across the country took part. Patricia did very well and came in second place. Her success helped more people learn about her.

But Patricia also faced a sad time. Her mother died while she was getting ready for the contest. Losing her mother was very hard. This pain later gave her a reason to help other women.

Patricia Southall and Martin Lawrence Love Story

Patricia Southall met Martin Lawrence in 1992. Martin was a young comedian and TV star. Patricia was working in the office of Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder. They got to know each other and soon began dating.

After dating for a few years, they got married in January 1995. Martin was already famous for his TV show Martin. Patricia also became known to more people because of their marriage.

The couple welcomed a baby girl on January 15, 1996. They named her Jasmin Page Lawrence. Patricia was happy to become a mother. But soon after their daughter’s birth, their marriage began to face problems.

Why Did Patricia Southall and Martin Lawrence Split?

Patricia Southall and Martin Lawrence were married for about two years. Their marriage had some hard times. Patricia later spoke about problems in their relationship. The couple decided to end their marriage in 1997.

During their divorce, Patricia made claims about Martin’s drinking and behavior. News reports shared her claims at that time. These were claims made during their split. They were not all proven to be true.

After the divorce, Patricia began a new life with her daughter. She had to think about her future and her family. She later wrote about love and hard times in her book Second Chances.

Patricia Southall and Emmitt Smith Marriage

Patricia Southall found love again after her first divorce. She met Emmitt Smith, a famous football player. He played for the Dallas Cowboys. Their friendship grew into love, and they began planning a future together.

The couple married on April 22, 2000. They later had three children together. Patricia also helped raise Emmitt’s daughter from an earlier relationship. For many years, they shared a busy family life.

But their marriage did not last forever. In August 2020, Patricia and Emmitt announced their separation after 20 years together. They said their children would remain important to them. Their final divorce status was not confirmed.

Patricia Southall Children and Family Life

Patricia Southall is a mother of four children. Her first child is Jasmin Page Lawrence. She was born on January 15, 1996. Her father is Martin Lawrence. Jasmin has also worked as an actress.

Patricia has three children with Emmitt Smith. Their names are Emmitt James Smith IV, Skylar Elizabeth Paige Smith, and Elijah Alexander James Smith. They were born in 2002, 2003, and 2010. She loves spending time with her family.

She also helped raise Emmitt’s daughter Rheagen Smith. Patricia has always cared deeply about her children. Even after her second marriage ended, she and Emmitt wanted to put their children’s needs first.

Patricia Southall Acting and TV Career

Patricia Southall began working in TV after her beauty queen success. She wanted to become an actress and host. She took acting classes and worked hard to learn new skills. Her efforts soon brought her new roles.

She appeared in popular TV shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and The Wayans Bros. She also worked as a guest host on Access Hollywood. These jobs helped her become known outside the beauty pageant world.

Patricia also appeared on talk shows and other TV programs. Her work gave her a chance to meet new people and share her story. She later moved into business and charity work while raising her children.

Patricia Southall Business and Charity Work

Patricia Southall is also a businesswoman. She started Pat Smith Enterprises to build her own career. She has worked as a speaker and producer. Her goal was to follow her dreams while helping other people.

She founded a charity group called Treasure You. This group helps women who face money problems or hard times. Patricia wanted women to feel loved and valued. Her mother’s death helped inspire this important work.

She also helped run Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities with Emmitt Smith. The group worked to support children and families. Patricia used her public name to raise support for people who needed help.

Patricia Southall Book and Personal Struggles

Patricia Southall wrote a book called Second Chances. It came out in 2017. In the book, she shares lessons about love and loss. She also talks about finding hope when life becomes hard.

Patricia faced many sad moments in her life. She lost her mother while preparing for Miss USA. Her twin sister Pam also faced stage four colon cancer. These family struggles brought her great pain.

But Patricia did not stop moving forward. She found strength through her Christian faith. She began sharing her story with other women. Her message was simple. Hard times can hurt, but life can still get better.

Patricia Southall Net Worth and Lifestyle

Patricia Southall has earned money from different jobs. She has worked in TV and business. She is also an author and public speaker. These jobs have helped her build a career of her own.

Some websites have placed her net worth at about $500,000. But this amount has not been proven. Her true wealth is not public. It is hard to know exactly how much money she has in 2026.

Patricia has also been known for her love of fashion. She was once named among the most beautiful women in Dallas. Still, she has spent much of her time helping women and raising her children.

Where Is Patricia Southall Today in 2026?

Patricia Southall is 55 years old as of October 2026. She will turn 56 on December 17. She has spent many years building her career and caring for her family. Her story still interests many readers.

After separating from Emmitt Smith in 2020, Patricia kept much of her private life away from the news. The reports shared here do not confirm a final divorce. They also do not confirm a new marriage.

Patricia is still known for her work with Treasure You and Pat Smith Enterprises. She has also shared her life through social media. However, there is little confirmed news about her daily plans in 2026.

Final Thoughts

Patricia Southall has lived a life full of change. She grew up in Virginia and dreamed of becoming a model. She later became a beauty queen and worked in TV. Her hard work helped her find success.

Her marriages to Martin Lawrence and Emmitt Smith made her famous. But she also built her own career. She became a writer and businesswoman. She used her life lessons to help women facing hard times.

Today, Patricia Southall is known as a mother and former beauty queen. She is also an author and charity founder. Her story shows that life can change in many ways, but new chances can still come.

(FAQs)

What Is Patricia Southall’s Age and Birthday?

Patricia Southall was born on December 17, 1970. She is 56 years old in October 2026. She is American and African American. She has dark brown eyes and black hair.

Who Is Patricia Southall’s Twin Sister?

Patricia Southall has a twin sister named Pam Southall. They grew up together in Virginia. Pam later faced stage four colon cancer. The sisters have shared a close bond since childhood.

What Happened Between Patricia Southall and Martin Lawrence?

Patricia Southall married Martin Lawrence in 1995. They had a daughter named Jasmin Lawrence in 1996. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1997. Patricia later married football star Emmitt Smith.

Did Patricia Southall Divorce Emmitt Smith and How Many Children Does She Have?

Patricia and Emmitt Smith separated in 2020 after 20 years of marriage. Their final divorce status is not clear. Patricia has four children and one stepdaughter.

What Is Patricia Southall’s Net Worth and Where Is She Today in 2026?

Patricia Southall’s net worth is estimated at $500,000, but this is not confirmed. She has long been based in Dallas, Texas. She is known for her business and charity work.

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