When we talk about Hollywood power couples, the spotlight often shines on those who stand center stage. But sometimes, the most influential relationships involve someone who chooses to work behind the scenes. This is certainly true of Asake Bomani, whose 25-year marriage to acclaimed actor Danny Glover coincided with his rise to fame in Hollywood.
But who is Asake Bomani beyond her connection to a famous actor? Her story is one of artistic passion, cultural contribution, and quiet influence that deserves recognition in its own right.
Early Life and Education
Born on July 1, 1945, Asake Bomani grew up developing interests in literature, music, and cultural arts from an early age. Her formal education took her to San Francisco State University, where she reportedly earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963, studying English while fostering her creative pursuits.
Though details about her childhood and family background remain largely private, what emerges from various accounts is a portrait of a self-assured, intellectually curious woman who would later channel these qualities into multiple creative avenues.
The Love Story with Danny Glover
The relationship between Asake Bomani and Danny Glover began in the 1970s when both were attending San Francisco State University. Their first encounter has been romantically recounted by Glover in several interviews. According to his account, he was immediately drawn to her but initially too shy to approach her directly. He waited outside her English class, and when she emerged, he managed only to say “hi” before walking away, overwhelmed by her presence.
Glover has spoken fondly about his attraction to Bomani, describing her as possessing “a strong sense of morality and high self-esteem.” He acknowledged being “infatuated” with her from early in their acquaintance. Their relationship developed over time, eventually leading to marriage in 1975. The following year, they welcomed their only child, daughter Mandisa Glover, born in 1976.
The Backbone of an Acting Career
Perhaps one of Bomani’s most significant but least publicly acknowledged contributions was her support of Glover’s transition from government work to acting. When he decided to leave his position as an evaluator with the San Francisco Model Cities program to join the Black Actors’ Workshop of the American Conservatory Theatre in the 1970s, Bomani provided crucial support—both emotional and financial.
This wasn’t just moral support; Bomani essentially underwrote his early artistic pursuits. As Glover was building the foundation for what would become an illustrious acting career, Bomani’s belief in his talent and her practical assistance created the stability needed for him to focus on developing his craft.
This period coincided with Glover’s professional development from community service work to becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. Throughout this journey, Bomani’s support was instrumental in enabling Glover to take the creative risks that eventually led to his successful career.
Bomani’s Own Artistic Path
While her support of Glover’s career was significant, Asake Bomani pursued multiple creative avenues throughout her life. Sources identify her as a jazz vocalist, suggesting musical performance was one aspect of her artistic expression. Though details about her musical career remain scarce in available records, Danny Glover himself acknowledged her musical background.
Bomani’s most documented professional achievement lies in the literary field. She served as the editor of Paris Connections: African American Artists in Paris,” a 95-page book released on January 1, 1992. This publication explored the experiences and contributions of African American and Caribbean artists in Paris, reflecting Bomani’s interest in diasporic cultural expressions and transnational artistic communities. The book reportedly received recognition as a top American book, and in 1993, she was honored with the American Book Award for her notable literary work.
In addition to her literary contributions, Bomani ran an art gallery, further demonstrating her commitment to artistic expression and cultural engagement. This background likely provided Glover with additional exposure to creative communities and artistic environments that would inform his development as an actor.
A Private Life Despite Hollywood Connections
Despite her connections to a high-profile Hollywood actor, Asake Bomani has maintained a relatively private life, particularly following her divorce from Glover. Their partnership endured for 25 years before Glover filed for divorce on February 4, 1999, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2000.
Despite the end of their marriage, there appears to have been an amicable relationship maintained between them, as evidenced by their joint appearances at events years after their divorce. These appearances include their attendance at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on January 22, 2012, and at “The Conspirator” premiere during the 37th Deauville American Film Festival in France on September 7, 2011.
In recent years, public information about Bomani’s activities has been scarce. While her profile remains available on some entertainment platforms, these entries contain minimal information about current projects or public engagements. The absence of recent news stories or documented public appearances suggests that Bomani may have chosen to maintain a private life away from media attention.
According to one source, “Asake, the lone fox in the background, is having a good time. She hasn’t made an appearance in public after her divorce. She doesn’t even maintain a Facebook page.” This suggests a deliberate choice to maintain privacy despite her former connection to a Hollywood celebrity.
Legacy Through Her Daughter Mandisa
Mandisa Glover has demonstrated a deep appreciation for her mother through numerous public tributes, particularly on social media. Born on January 5, 1976, Mandisa maintains a close relationship with Bomani and regularly expresses her admiration and love through social media posts.
On July 7, 2019, Mandisa shared a touching photograph on Instagram featuring her mother carrying her as a toddler. In the accompanying caption, she expressed that it was “a privilege and a blessing” to have Bomani as her mother, underscoring the deep bond they share.
In another instance, Mandisa celebrated her mother’s birthday with multiple posts, first sharing a tribute on July 2 where she described Bomani as “this gorgeous amazing woman I am fortunate to call my mother.” She followed this with another celebration on July 5, sharing photographs of them accompanied by what was described as a “poetic caption” expressing her love.
While pursuing her path as a chef based in New York City, Mandisa appears to have inherited creative inclinations from both parents. Though she hasn’t followed directly in her father’s acting footsteps, she has worked behind the scenes in film production and explored various creative avenues, including modeling in her 40s.
Lasting Impact
Though not extensively documented in mainstream media, Asake Bomani’s contributions span multiple fields of artistic expression. Her work as an editor highlighting African American artists in Paris represents a contribution to documenting the transnational dimensions of Black cultural production and the important role of Paris as a site of artistic freedom for Black American expatriates throughout the 20th century.
Her relationship with Danny Glover coincided with and supported his rise to prominence in American cinema, making her an important figure in the backstory of one of Hollywood’s most respected Black actors. Glover’s acknowledgment of her support during his transition to acting underscores the often-unrecognized role of partners in facilitating artistic careers.
While not featuring prominently in media coverage herself, Bomani is occasionally mentioned in contexts involving artistic and cultural communities. For instance, some filmmakers consider themselves “family friends with Mandisa Glover and [her mother] Askake Bomani, Danny Glover’s ex-wife,” noting that they share Thanksgiving celebrations annually. Such references suggest that Bomani maintains connections within creative communities while avoiding mainstream public attention.
Conclusion
Asake Bomani represents a multifaceted figure whose cultural contributions and personal influence extend beyond her 25-year marriage to Danny Glover. As a jazz vocalist, author, and art gallery owner, she cultivated creative expression across multiple domains while generally maintaining a private life away from media attention.
Her support for Glover during his crucial transition to acting demonstrates her role as an enabler of artistic pursuits, while her literary work exploring African American artists in Paris reflects her interest in documenting cultural heritage.
Through her daughter Mandisa, who continues to publicly acknowledge her mother’s importance in her life, Bomani’s influence persists in a new generation. Though not extensively documented in mainstream media, Bomani’s story provides valuable insight into the often-unseen support systems that enable artistic careers and the diverse ways cultural contributions manifest beyond the spotlight.
Her decision to maintain privacy after her high-profile marriage speaks to personal choices about visibility and public life that stand in contrast to contemporary celebrity culture—a reminder that significant contributions to arts and culture don’t always come with public recognition.
