Juanita Hardy Became Sidney Poitier's First Wife within Months of Courtship

Juanita Hardy's ex-husband, Sidney Poitier, was initially convinced he'd never marry a woman like her and even declared it to her. Only a week later, he asked her out on a date. The pair wed shortly after, but married life wasn't easy.

Late Hollywood actor Sidney Poitier was known for keeping the details of his personal life private; however, he opened up in his biographical book, "Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon." There, he spoke about his relationship and first marriage with Juanita Hardy.

Hardy came into Poitier's life during a time when he faced loneliness, attempting to fill an emotional void with partying, dating, and even buying himself a new car. What the actor sought was stability, and although he didn't believe she could at first, Hardy was the first woman to give it to him.

Juanita Hardy Was a College Graduate Who Danced and Modeled

Hardy's most well-known profession was entertainment. Although she studied at Columbia University, she also modeled, having appeared in the Sepia and Ebony magazines, and danced. Born in Alabama to a Catholic family, her father worked as a dress designer.

Her mother stayed and looked after her and their home. She met Poitier in the early 1950s. They had their second encounter in January 1951, when Poitier saw Hardy at a nightclub with a date. Marching up to their table, he declared:

"I'll never marry a girl like you!"

Hardy was confused by Poitier's words and behavior, but he later explained that he assumed she was "unstable" since she was beautiful and always had a different date. His mind changed a week later when he asked her out, and a month later, he was calling Hardy his "future wife."

Juanita Hardy and Sidney Poitier Struggled Financially

Hardy and Poitier married in April 1951 and moved into an apartment in Astoria, Queens. The wedding expenses took a toll on their financial standing, and within days of moving in, Poitier had to return to dishwashing.

Hardy did her best with dancing and modeling gigs, but they weren't enough to keep them afloat. However, her ex-husband's career eventually took off. The couple expanded their family, welcoming four daughters, but things took a rather unfortunate turn.

Poitier fell in love with a co-star, Diahann Carroll, in 1959 and promised to leave Hardy for her. When he confessed his feelings for the actress to Hardy, she was devastated, more so as her father had recently passed away.

Poitier asked for a divorce, and Hardy refused to sign the papers but eventually relented. They finalized the end of their marriage in 1965. Poitier's relationship with Carroll also ended, but they later became friends.

Juanita Hardy's Life after Separating from Sidney Poitier

Hardy lived privately following the end of her marriage with Poitier. It's unknown what kind of work she did, but in a 2015 interview, she described herself as a "light worker." She shared that she had a passion for helping the youth.

When asked how she defined success, she replied, "When you create, that is what makes you a millionaire. Success is creating!!" In 2014, Hardy appeared in a documentary about her close friend Ruby Dee, titled "Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee."

In 2022, she starred in her ex-husband's docu-film, "Sidney," featuring appearances from Harry Belafonte and Halle Berry. Poitier died that year. He was survived by his children and wife, Joanna Shikmus.