Sheryl Lee Ralph's Children Have Their Own Accomplishments & Support Her

Sheryl Lee Ralph has accomplished many things in her life, including Emmy, Tony, and Critics Choice award nominations, plus a performance at the Super Bowl. But she says her children are the best things to ever happen to her.

Ralph has been a feature in Hollywood for many years. Despite studying medicine at Rutgers University, she pursued a career in acting. Since then, she has appeared in over 100 film and television productions in a career that spans over four decades.

Ralph is a mother of two children, Etienne and Ivy Maurice, from her first marriage to Eric Maurice. The children have grown up and achieved success independently, something their mother is very proud of. The trio have a very close bond and are very supportive of each other, personally and professionally.

Sheryl Lee Ralph Wanted to Provide Stability for Her Children

Ralph married Eric Maurice, a French businessman, in 1990. The couple had the first of their two children, Etienne, in 1992 before they had their daughter, Ivy Maurice, three years later in 1995. Unfortunately, Ralph and Eric's marriage couldn't go far, and after 11 years of living in matrimony, the pair divorced in 2001.

Around the time of the separation in the early 2000s, the actress and singer considered stepping away from show business. Ralph noted, "I had gone through a divorce, and I was definitely going through that, and my children, you know — you want to keep your children stable."

The situation also coincided with a rough time professionally. She had a run-in with a casting director, who thought she had forgotten who she was. That eventually motivated her to revive her acting career after it had slowed down.

Despite the failure of her first marriage, Ralph went to marry for the second time a few years later, and that marriage has gone on for a long time. The singer has had other blessings, including being nominated for and winning Tony, Emmy, and Critics Choice Awards and singing in front of 70,000 people at the Super Bowl.

However, when asked about her proudest moments, the first one she listed was having healthy children. Ralph recognizes that it is not easy for women, especially women of color, to give birth to healthy children for many reasons that are usually out of their control. Her two children are her pride and joy.

Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Children Are Her Biggest Supporters

Ralph's children have always been a significant part of her life and her choices since they were born. As alluded to earlier, she almost left life in front of the cameras because of them after her divorce. Now those children have grown and have become their mother's greatest support, both personally and professionally.

At the end of 2022, Ralph learned she had been nominated for an Emmy, and her children's reaction was so wholesome it impressed television show hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager and their viewers. Ralph plays a starring role on ABC's "Abbott Elementary" alongside Tyler James Williams and Chris Perfetti.

Ralph, who plays Barbara Howard, an old school teacher, was on the phone receiving the news when her daughter started recording the wonderful moment for the family, who quickly went into a frenzy. The kids are always there for their mother and celebrate with her. They were present when she received the Order of Jamaica in 2022.

Ralph told Kotb and Bush Hager that her children mean everything to her. She said, "I knew that if I was going to be an actress or make it in the business, that would be one thing. But I knew that I could not go through life without being somebody's mother." Ivy and Etienne have a "you for me and me for you" understanding with their mother.

Sheryl’s Son Etienne Works in the Film Industry

Etienne followed his mother's path into the showbiz industry. Before he enrolled in college, he had work experience as a production assistant on ABC News and Content Producer on Scoremore, where he produced viral videos for artists such as Wiz Khalifa, J. Cole, and Big Sean.

Beginning in 2011, Etienne studied at Drexel University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Cinematography and Film/Video production. Then, Etienne was employed in various video production roles at several production companies, including Nickelodeon.

In September 2015, he founded his company, WalkGood Productions, where he works as the CEO. The firm is a hybrid independent film and television production company with a goal to entertain, inspire and inform audiences with original stories from people from all walks of life.

Moving away from his behind-the-scenes work, Etienne has also been involved in on-screen action. He has 11 credited acting roles beginning with a solo appearance in "Scream Queens," in 2016. His involvement has primarily been in short films.

When he is not working or making videos, Etienne spends time going through stress-releasing and relaxation exercises with his students. The multi-talented Etienne is also a yoga instructor, which still blows his mind. In a recent post, he encouraged people to be patient, loving, and kind to others and themselves.

On a personal note, Etienne is currently in a relationship with Stephanie Wash. Wash is an experienced ABC news veteran. She is an Executive Editorial Producer working with ABC News' specialized units. Additionally, Walsh produces content for "Good Morning America" and "ABC News Live," among several others.

Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Daughter Dresses Her up for Red Carpets

Like her older family members, Ivy has also been successful in her professional life. Taking a leaf from her father and brother, she describes herself as an entrepreneur. She is a vice president at WalkGood LA, but her biggest passion is being a stylist.

Ivy's biggest customer is probably her mother, who she has worked with on many occasions. Although being a stylist was not her first career choice when she was younger, she grew fond of it around 2008, when she would spend time thrifting whenever she was not playing basketball on weekends.

The connection to fashion runs deep in Ivy's family as her maternal grandmother, whom she is named after, ran an atelier in Kingston, Jamaica, and used to dress high-level clients, including the country's prime ministers. Ivy said her grandmother's last words were, "Take care of your Mom," and styling her is one way she has found to do that.

Ralph's favorite thing about red carpet events is working with her daughter to bring out her best look. Their collaboration began as something they were going to do a few times. But they got stuck with it, and the pair enjoy the experience.

Despite being three years younger than her older brother, Ivy enrolled in college a year after him. She studied for a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Retail Management, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2015.

Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Children Run a Non-profit Organization

Ralph's children, Ivy and Etienne, and one of their cousins run WalkGood LA. The feel-good organization provides a healing experience through community yoga classes, hikes, run clubs, meditations, and other activities.

According to Etienne, the organization was birthed on June 13, 2020, with weekly protests after the killing of innocent black people at the hands of police. They recognized the need to help the community heal from police brutality, social injustice, and racial violence.

Their mother, Sheryl Lee Ralph, is proud of her children. She said, "I truly am proud of both of my children. The fact that my children do not live at home do not ask me for money and do not embarrass me in public."

The actress added that she looks up to her children. She is impressed with how they are growing and their impact on their community. She applauds them for their organization, WalkGood, a term used in Jamaica meaning "walk safely, walk carefully, be covered, come back good."