Denzel Washington Recalls Telling Chadwick Boseman To ‘Put a Ring’ on Wife Taylor Simone Ledward’s Finger

Denzel Washington saw the potential in Chadwick Boseman — not only as an actor but as a doting husband.

During a recent interview, the director/actor opened up about working alongside Boseman on the brand new film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Washington also recalled how he urged the young actor to marry his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, after seeing the way she cared for him on the set of what would be his very last film.

Chadwick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledwick wed before his untimely death

Boseman and Ledward were first linked in 2015 after they were spotted at an airport in LA together. After that, the pair were photographed together several times over the years at Hollywood events, including NBA games and red carpet premiers for the actor’s films Black Panther (2018) and 21 Bridges (2019).

While the pair never publicly confirmed their relationship, Ledward’s grandmother seemingly revealed in 2018 that the two were, in fact, a couple, telling InTouch Weekly, “They respect each other. She’s very happy, and he is, too.”

Ledward’s sister also confirmed the couple’s romance by commenting, “His real life queen is gorgeous, and together they embody true love,” on Instagram.

In March 2019, Boseman shouted out Ledward during his acceptance speech at the 50th NAACP Image Awards, further confirming that they were romantically involved.

“Simone, you’re with me every day. I have to acknowledge you right now. Love you,” Boseman said before Ledward mouthed back, “I love you.”

Later that year, it was rumored the two were engaged after Ledward was spotted with a diamond ring on her ring finger. Though neither she nor Boseman acknowledged engagement speculation, the pair went on to secretly tie the knot while Boseman’s health was declining.

Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer in 2020

Following a four year battle with colon cancer, Boseman died at the age of 43 on August 28, 2020.

The actor’s family confirmed his death on his social media pages, writing, “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV… ⁣He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side.”

Though Ledward has not publicly commented on Boseman’s death, media outlets reported in November 2020 that she had been appointed the administrator of the actor’s estate valued at $938,500.

Denzel Washington says he urged Chadwick Boseman to marry Taylor Simone Ledward

When it came to their relationship, both Boseman and Ledward were notoriously private. So, there hasn’t been much we’ve learned about their romance throughout the years.

However, Boseman’s former sponsor and final film producer, Denzel Washington, recently opened up about the couple’s romance during an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning.

While speaking with the outlet, the Training Day actor reflected on the relationship he observed between Boseman and Ledward. He even recalled telling the young actor to marry his then-girlfriend while filming Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom after seeing how much she cared for him.

“I used to watch how she took care of him, and I actually said to him, I said, ‘Man, you need to put a ring on that finger.'” Washington said. “Because she kept her eye on him, and she watched him, and I’m like, ‘Man, she loves that guy.’ But I didn’t know what we know now.”

From what it sounds like, Boseman and Ledward were truly in love, so it’s likely his death took a significant toll on her, just like it did on the rest of the world.