Patricia Southall: From Beauty Queen to Bold Life Leader

Patricia Southall is a woman many people have heard about, but few know her full story. She once wore a crown as Miss Virginia USA, but her journey didn’t stop there. She has been married to two famous men actor Martin Lawrence and football legend Emmitt Smith — yet her life is much more than just those names.

In this article, we’ll explore Patricia’s full journey. From her early life, to her time in the spotlight, and her path to helping women through charity work — we’ll cover it all in a very easy and friendly way. Let’s begin her story.

Patricia Annette Southall Profile Summary

Her Early Life and Background

Patricia Southall was born on December 17, 1970, in Chesapeake, Virginia. She grew up in a simple home with strong values. From a young age, she was known for being kind, smart, and confident.

She went to James Madison University, where she studied journalism. She loved writing and sharing stories. During college, she also joined a group called Delta Sigma Theta, a well-known sorority that supports women. Patricia’s early years helped shape her into the strong and caring woman she would later become.

Winning Miss Virginia US

Patricia Southall entered a beauty pageant in 1993, and it changed her life. She won the Miss Virginia USA crown and became the first African American woman to win that title. This was a big moment — not just for her, but for many girls watching her.

In 1994, she went on to compete in the Miss USA pageant. She did really well and finished as first runner-up. But while preparing for that big event, she faced something very painful — her mother passed away. Even with this heartbreak, Patricia Southall stayed strong and kept going. Her mother’s memory later pushed her to help other women who face hard times.

Her First Marriage to Martin Lawrence

In 1992, Patricia Southall met famous comedian Martin Lawrence. At the time, she was working in a media office. Martin was performing in Richmond for a comedy show, and that’s where they connected.

They got married in January 1995. The next year, they had a daughter named Jasmin Page Lawrence, born on January 15, 1996. But sadly, the marriage did not last long. Patricia later shared that the relationship had many problems, including Martin’s substance use and angry behavior. She even said that there were times she felt unsafe.

In 1997, they got divorced. It was a hard time for her, but she stayed strong for her daughter. Patricia Southall kept going, even when life got tough.

Finding Love Again with Emmitt Smith

After her divorce, Patricia Southall met Emmitt Smith, one of the greatest NFL players in history. He was kind, respectful, and family-focused. They started dating and spent three years getting to know each other.

On April 22, 2000, Patricia Southall  and Emmitt got married. They became one of the most loved celebrity couples. Together, they created a strong and happy family, filled with love, support, and teamwork.

A Big and Blended Family

Patricia and Emmitt built a big, blended family. Here’s how their family looks:

• Patricia had her daughter Jasmin from her first marriage.

• Emmitt had a daughter named Rheagen from a past relationship.

• Together, they had three more children:

  • Emmitt James Smith IV – born on May 15, 2002

  • Skylar Elizabeth Paige Smith – born on October 15, 2003

  • Elijah Alexander James Smith – born on September 22, 2010

Patricia loved being a mom. She often said it was her most important job. She wanted to give her kids a happy and safe life, full of love and support.

Life as a Full-Time Wife and Mom

When Patricia married Emmitt, she made a big choice. She put her own dreams on hold to support Emmitt’s football career and take care of their home. She stayed behind the scenes, helping their family grow.

For over 15 years, Patricia focused on raising her kids and cheering Emmitt from the sidelines. But after some time, she started to feel lost. In her own words, she said:

“I just felt like I had lost myself, and I didn’t know who I was anymore.”

This honest feeling is something many women can relate to — giving so much to others that they forget about themselves. But Patricia didn’t stop there. She decided to find herself again.

After spending years as a full-time mom, Patricia Southall Southall decided it was time to follow some of her own dreams. She had always been interested in TV and acting, so she started taking acting classes.

She worked hard and slowly started getting small roles. Patricia appeared in shows like “Beverly Hills 90210” and “The Wayans Brothers.” She also worked as a guest host on “Access Hollywood.” These roles helped her gain confidence again.

She also dreamed of having her own talk show one day. She wanted to speak to people, share stories, and help others — especially women. Patricia didn’t chase fame. She just wanted to do work that mattered and made people feel better.

Starting Treasure You to Help Women

One of Patricia’s biggest projects is her non-profit group called Treasure You. She started it to help women who are going through hard times — whether they need emotional, financial, or spiritual support.

The idea for Treasure You came from Patricia’s own pain. She lost her mother to cancer. Later, her sister also had cancer. These losses made her realize how hard life can be. She wanted to give women a place to feel seen, supported, and loved.

Through Treasure You, Patricia Southall helps women feel stronger. She gives them tools to grow, heal, and believe in themselves again. This is one of the biggest ways she became a bold leader in real life — not just in the spotlight.

Charity Work with Emmitt Smith

While Patricia Southall was building Treasure You, she and Emmitt also worked together on Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities. This group helped kids and families in need, and they supported schools, community projects, and more.

In 2012, they were even honored at the Trumpet Awards for their charity work. They were seen as a power couple who gave back to the world.

Even after their separation, they continued to support good causes together. They always put family and service first, no matter what.

Their 2020 Separation

In 2020, Patricia and Emmitt shared a big update — they were separating after 20 years of marriage. They made a joint statement and said they came to the decision with “much prayer and thought.”

Even though they separated, they stayed close for the sake of their children. They were seen together at their daughter’s graduation, smiling and standing proudly. This showed that they still supported each other as parents.

They did not rush to divorce. They continued to co-parent and also still worked on their shared businesses and charity efforts.

Patricia Southall’s Life Today

Today, Patricia Southall is still living a full and strong life. She continues to focus on her kids, her businesses, and her faith.

She stays active on Instagram, where she shares photos of her family, uplifting quotes, and updates on her Treasure You work. She is also a speaker, producer, and entrepreneur through her company Pat Smith Enterprises.

She has shown that even after pain, a person can still rise and rebuild. Her story is not just about beauty — it’s about strength, faith, and starting over when needed.

Final Thoughts

Patricia Southall’s life has had many ups and downs. She was a beauty queen, a wife, a mother, an actress, and a charity leader. But most of all, she is someone who chose to keep moving forward.

Her story shows that it’s okay to pause your dreams for family, but it’s also okay to find yourself again later. It shows that helping others can bring healing. And it shows that strength can be quiet, loving, and full of purpose.

That’s why Patricia Southall is more than a name in the news — she’s a real-life bold leader.

(FAQs)

Was Patricia Southall really married to both Martin Lawrence and Emmitt Smith?

Yes! Patricia was first married to comedian Martin Lawrence in 1995. After they divorced in 1997, she later married football star Emmitt Smith in 2000. She had kids with both of them.

Did Patricia Southall give up her own dreams for 15 years?

Yes. She paused her career dreams to support her husband and raise their kids. She once said she felt lost during that time — but later, she found herself again and followed her own path.

Did Patricia and Emmitt Smith get divorced?

No, they announced a separation in 2020 after 20 years of marriage, but they have not confirmed a legal divorce. They still work together and co-parent their children.

What happened to Patricia Southall’s sister?

Patricia’s sister, Pam Southall, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. patricia southall has shared updates online and continues to support her with love and hope.

What is Treasure You and why did Patricia start it?

Treasure You is Patricia’s non-profit group that helps women who are struggling. She started it after losing her mother and seeing many women suffer in silence. It gives women emotional, financial, and spiritual support.

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