He had little formal education and at the age of 15 was sent to Miami to live with his brother, in order to forestall a growing tendency toward delinquency. In the U.S., he experienced the racial chasm that divides the country, a great shock to a boy coming from a society with a majority of African descent.
He married Joanna Shimkus, a Canadian former actress, on January 23, 1976, and they remained married for the rest of his life.
What happened to Sidney Poitier’s first wife Juanita Hardy?
Sidney Poitier was married to his first wife Juanita Hardy from 1950 to 1965. They had four daughters named; Beverly Poitier-Henderson, Pamela Poitier, Sherri Poitier and Gina Poitier.
The couple had their wedding on April 29, 1950, and were married together for 15 years. They finally divorced in 1965. Hardy is still alive today and runs a business consulting firm.