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Teruko Nakagami Was Married to Wayne Shorter Before Billy Dee Williams

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Teruko Nakagami is not a famous actress or singer. But she lived a very special life. She was close to two of the most well-known names in music and movies. First, she was married to jazz legend Wayne Shorter. Then, she became the wife of actor Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in Star Wars.

Even though both of her husbands were very famous, Teruko always stayed quiet and private. She didn’t like being in the spotlight. Still, her life story is full of love, strength, and calm support. In this article, we will learn about who she is, where she came from, and the people who were closest to her.

Let’s begin with who she is and where her story started.

Table of Contents

Who Is Teruko Nakagami?

Teruko Nakagami is a Japanese-American woman who was born in 1946. Her full name is Teruko Irene Nakagami, but she was born as Irene Nakagami in Chicago, Illinois. Later in life, she changed her name to Teruko after connecting more deeply with her Japanese roots.

She is best known as the wife of Billy Dee Williams, but before that, she was also married to the famous jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter. She is the mother of two daughters and also a grandmother.

Even though she is connected to two big names, Teruko always stayed private. She never tried to become a star. She focused on family and peace. Many people admire her because of how calm and graceful she has stayed for so many years.

Teruko’s Early Life in Chicago

Teruko was born and raised in Chicago, in the United States. She had a twin sister, which is already something special. But her early life was not always easy.

When she was just six years old, she and her sister were sent to a Japanese-American internment camp in California. This happened during World War II. Many Japanese-American families were forced to live in camps during that time.

Even though this was a very hard part of her childhood, Teruko later told stories that were more gentle. She said the children played games to stay happy. This shows her kind and strong way of looking at life, even when things were not easy.

Later, she went to Hyde Park High School and also studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts, which shows that she was also smart and creative. She connected deeply with her Japanese culture.

Her First Marriage to Jazz Legend Wayne Shorter

Before Teruko met Billy Dee Williams, she was married to Wayne Shorter. He was one of the greatest jazz musicians in the world. They got married on July 28, 1961. At that time, she was still very young.

That same year, they had a daughter named Miyako. Wayne loved his daughter very much. He even wrote songs about her. One of the most famous ones is called “Infant Eyes”. Another one is named “Miyako”, just like his daughter. He also wrote music called “Native Dancer” during that time.

Wayne also loved and respected Teruko. He said she looked like a “Japanese Audrey Hepburn.” That’s a beautiful way to say she was full of grace and beauty. She even appeared on the cover of his famous jazz album, Speak No Evil, in 1966.

Their marriage did not last forever, and they later divorced. But that part of her life was still filled with music and love.

How Teruko Nakagami Met Billy Dee Williams

Teruko Nakagami and Billy Dee Williams

After her time with Wayne Shorter, Teruko met Billy Dee Williams, a talented actor who later became very famous. Billy Dee had already been married two times before. His first wife was Audrey Sellers, with whom he had a son, Corey Dee Williams. His second wife was Marlene Clark, but that marriage didn’t last long either.

When Teruko and Billy met, both of them had already been through love and loss. But something special brought them together. They got married on December 27, 1972. Their wedding took place in Tokyo, Japan, and it was a private and peaceful ceremony.

Teruko became Billy Dee Williams’ third wife, and this marriage would become one of the longest and most meaningful parts of both their lives.

Meet Their Daughter Hanako

In 1973, just one year after they got married, Teruko and Billy had a daughter named Hanako Williams. Hanako grew up in a home filled with love and creativity. She had two older siblings from her parents’ previous relationships — Corey Dee Williams (Billy’s son) and Miyako Shorter (Teruko’s daughter).

Hanako became a successful woman in her own right. She now works as the general manager of an art gallery in Los Angeles. She is married to a man named Liam Toohey.

Together, Hanako and Liam have two children:

A daughter named Lucie Katsumi
A son named Finnegan Ichiro

Teruko is now a proud and loving grandmother. She and Billy Dee have spent time with their grandchildren, including going out together to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015 with Finnegan. Billy said he even keeps Legos and Star Wars toys at home for them to enjoy when they visit.

Their Separation and Reunion

After being married for more than 20 years, Teruko Nakagami and Billy Dee Williams decided to go their separate ways. In 1993, they filed for divorce. It was a quiet and respectful split. There were no fights in the news. Everything stayed peaceful and calm.

Some people say they got back together around 1997. Other reports say they stayed close but didn’t marry again. Either way, they continued to support each other. They were often seen at family events and important moments, like birthdays or movie premieres.

Even after the divorce, Teruko and Billy were seen smiling together. In 2015, they showed up at the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens with their grandson Finnegan. That day, they looked happy, relaxed, and still connected as a family.

What Billy Dee Williams Said About Teruko

Billy Dee Williams has always had kind things to say about Teruko Nakagami. Even when they weren’t together, he never said anything negative. In fact, he said Teruko helped him stay calm and focused during busy times in his life.

He once said:

“My wife is fantastic. She is principled and moral, with this thing the Japanese have about honor. She forces me to deal with things. Otherwise, I’d be running around like a crazy person. I need somebody to sit on me and calm me down.”

This quote shows how much he respected her. He believed she kept him steady during the ups and downs of fame. Even though she stayed out of the spotlight, Teruko was a big part of his world.

Billy also called his family his biggest joy. He once said that the birth of his son and daughter were two of the greatest moments of his life. That shows how much he loved being a father and how much Teruko Nakagami helped build that family.

Where Is Teruko Nakagami Now?

Today, Teruko Nakagami lives a very quiet life. She doesn’t go to many events. She doesn’t share her life on social media. Instead, she focuses on her family and enjoys peaceful days at home.

She lives in Studio City, California. That’s the same area where she lived with Billy Dee during their long marriage. Their home was known for being simple and calm — not flashy like many Hollywood houses.

Even now, Teruko stays close to her daughter Hanako, her son-in-law Liam, and her grandkids Lucie and Finnegan. Family is everything to her. While most people might not know her name, she continues to be a strong and steady part of her family’s life.

Final Thoughts

Teruko Nakagami never chased the spotlight. But her life has touched many people through her quiet strength. She was there during key moments in the lives of Wayne Shorter and Billy Dee Williams — two men known around the world.

She helped raise children, supported creativity, and showed that you don’t have to be famous to be important. Her story is about love, family, and peace. It’s a reminder that some of the strongest people are the ones who don’t say much — they just keep showing up with kindness and calm.

Even today, Teruko Nakagami remains a symbol of quiet grace. Her story may be behind the scenes, but it is full of meaning, love, and a special kind of strength that stays strong through the years.