Kerry Washington has built an iconic Hollywood career, yet she maintains one of the industry's most fiercely guarded private lives. While her television and film roles command global attention, her personal life stands as a masterclass in setting boundaries. Married to former NFL player and actor Nnamdi Asomugha since 2013, the couple has successfully navigated more than a decade of marriage out of the relentless glare of tabloid culture.
Understanding Kerry Washington's love life requires looking past surface-level celebrity gossip. Her path involves early high-profile engagements, a chance meeting on a Broadway stage, and an intentional commitment to keeping family life sacred.
Meeting Nnamdi Asomugha and Secret Wedding
The relationship between Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha began entirely away from Hollywood casting offices. In 2009, Washington starred in the Broadway play Race. Asomugha attended a performance, and the two crossed paths backstage.
Unlike many high-profile celebrity romances that play out on red carpets, their courtship happened quietly. They dated for roughly four years out of the public eye. By June 24, 2013, the couple quietly married in Hailey, Idaho, pulling off a wedding so secretive that it caught entertainment media completely off guard.
Building a Family and Protecting Privacy
The couple shares two biological children together: a daughter named Isabelle, born in 2014, and a son named Caleb, born in 2016. Washington is also a stepmother to Asomugha's daughter from a previous relationship.
From the moment they welcomed their children, both parents made conscious choices to keep them away from social media and public spotlights. Washington has noted in interviews that while she and her husband chose public-facing careers in the arts and sports, their children deserve the agency to choose their own paths later in life. Rather than shielding them from everyday experiences, the couple brings them to film sets and normalizes hard work, while strictly guarding their personal privacy against media exploitation.
Prioritizing Communication and Therapy
Long-term success in Hollywood marriages remains rare, but Washington has been transparent about the active work required to sustain a healthy partnership. During podcast appearances and profile interviews, she has openly advocated for couples therapy, describing it as an essential tool for logistics, connection, and growth rather than a remedy for crisis.
Starting therapy early in their relationship helped establish strong communication patterns. For example, they often begin sessions by highlighting specific actions or traits they appreciate about one another. This intentional practice anchors their dynamic in mutual respect and continuous personal accountability. You can read more about her career milestones on Wikipedia.
Past Relationships and Dating History
Before her marriage to Asomugha, Washington's romantic life occasionally intersected with the public eye. Most notably, she was in a long-term relationship with actor and producer David Moscow. The pair began dating in the early 2000s and became engaged in October 2004.
By March 2007, Washington and Moscow mutually called off the engagement. Washington handled the breakup with the same grace and discretion that characterizes her personal life today, noting that walking away was a mature choice when the relationship path no longer aligned with their futures. She was also linked briefly to other public figures, but she consistently maintained boundaries that kept her private affairs out of the daily gossip columns.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha get married?
They married on June 24, 2013, during a private ceremony held in Hailey, Idaho.
How many children do Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha share?
They share two biological children together—a daughter, Isabelle, and a son, Caleb—alongside Washington being a stepmother to Asomugha's daughter from a previous relationship.
Who was Kerry Washington engaged to before her marriage?
Washington was previously engaged to actor David Moscow from October 2004 until they mutually parted ways in March 2007.
How did Kerry Washington and her husband meet?
The couple met in 2009 when Asomugha attended Washington's Broadway production of the play Race.
