Was Gregory Hines Ever Married? Personal Life And Marriages

Gregory Hines was married twice during his lifetime. The legendary tap dancer, actor, and choreographer wed dance therapist Patricia Panella in 1968, and later married producer Pamela Koslow in 1981. Both marriages ultimately ended in divorce, though his personal life extended well beyond these legal unions, shaped by creative partnerships, deep family ties, and a final relationship that lasted until his untimely death in 2003.

Understanding the man behind the rhythmic brilliance requires looking past the Broadway stage and Hollywood screens. While his professional accomplishments—including a Tony Award and iconic roles in films like White Nights and The Cotton Club—are well-documented, his romantic relationships and family dynamics reveal a complex individual who balanced intense artistic demands with a desire for lasting personal connection.

The First Marriage: Patricia Panella and Early Fame

In 1968, Gregory Hines married Patricia Panella, a dance therapist. At this point in his life, Hines was deeply entrenched in the family variety act Hines, Hines, and Dad, which he performed in alongside his older brother Maurice and their father.

The late 1960s and early 1970s marked a period of transition and personal friction for Hines. During his marriage to Panella, the couple welcomed a daughter, Daria, in 1970. However, the pressures of constant touring, creative differences with his family, and the strains of early adulthood took a toll on the relationship. Hines and Panella divorced in 1972. Following the split and his departure from the family act, Hines briefly moved to Europe, spending time in Venice, California, and re-evaluating his life and career trajectory away from the intense spotlight he had known since childhood.

The Second Marriage: Pamela Koslow and Hollywood Stardom

In 1981, Hines married producer Pamela Koslow. This marriage coincided with his meteoric rise as a solo artist, Broadway star, and film actor. During the 1980s, Hines starred in landmark stage productions like Sophisticated Ladies and Jelly's Last Jam, earning widespread critical acclaim and cementing his status as a cultural icon.

The couple had a son, Zachary, and Hines also helped raise Koslow's daughter, Jessica. Spanning nearly two decades, his marriage to Koslow weathered the intense demands of his thriving career, which spanned television, film, and live theater. Despite lasting for almost twenty years, the marriage faced insurmountable pressures, and the couple divorced in 2000.

Final Years and Engagement to Negrita Jayde

Following his divorce from Koslow, Hines entered a relationship with bodybuilder and writer Negrita Jayde. The couple became engaged and spent the final years of his life together, dividing their time between the United States and Canada.

Jayde remained a steadfast partner through the private battle with liver cancer that Hines kept largely hidden from the public. When Hines passed away on August 9, 2003, at the age of fifty-seven, Jayde was by his side. Following his passing, he was laid to rest at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Oakville, Ontario, close to the community he shared with Jayde during his final years.

Children and Family Legacy

Hines was a dedicated father who strived to maintain close bonds with his children despite his demanding rehearsal schedules and international touring commitments.

• Daria Hines: His daughter with Patricia Panella, who grew up away from the immediate intensity of the entertainment industry while maintaining a close relationship with her father.
• Zachary Hines: His son with Pamela Koslow, who was born during the height of Hines's Broadway success.
• Jessica: His stepdaughter from his marriage to Koslow, whom he raised as his own.

Throughout his life, Hines frequently credited his family with keeping him grounded. His older brother, Maurice Hines, remained a lifelong collaborator and confidant, sharing a bond that survived the professional shifts of their youth and anchored both men through decades in show business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times was Gregory Hines married?

Gregory Hines was married twice. His first marriage was to Patricia Panella from 1968 to 1972, and his second marriage was to Pamela Koslow from 1981 to 2000.

Who was Gregory Hines engaged to when he died?

At the time of his death in August 2003, Hines was engaged to bodybuilder and author Negrita Jayde, with whom he spent the final three years of his life.

Who are Gregory Hines's children?

Hines had two biological children: a daughter named Daria with his first wife, Patricia Panella, and a son named Zachary with his second wife, Pamela Koslow. He also raised a stepdaughter, Jessica.

Where is Gregory Hines buried?

In accordance with his life with Negrita Jayde, Hines was buried at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. For more details on his life and cultural impact, you can explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture or read historical profiles via the Library of Congress.