Teruko Nakagami has acquired notoriety as a well-known actress and as Billy Dee Williams’ famous spouse. Additionally, Teruko began her profession in fashion design because she had a passion for the arts.

Billy Dee Williams, husband of Teruko Nakagami is a famous American actor, artist, and writer. Teruko is mainly popular for being Billy’s wife but there is a lot in her life. Scroll the article through the end to know more about her personal life.

Teruko Nakagami’s Wiki, Bio, and Age

Chicago welcomed Teruko Nakagami into the world on August 26, 1967. She enrolled in the Tokyo University of the Arts at the age of 18 to pursue her studies in fashion design.

Before she became a model, she pursued her fashion education with Professor Hubert de Givenchy in Paris.

Her father, Kenichi Nakagami, was a longtime executive at IBM. And, her mother is Yoshiko Nakagami, a former PanAm hostess and fashion model. Teruko’s lone sibling, Michiko Nakagami, is three years Teruko’s junior.

Both Teruko’s parents were born in the States, but they left when they were young to enroll in the prestigious Tokyo University of the Arts. They eventually moved back to the country and began working as university instructors.

Although Teruko was born and raised in Tokyo, she spent her early years attending international schools in Beijing and Tokyo. She moved to Chicago at the age of 17 in order to attend college there after leaving Beijing.

Teruko loved the entertainment industry and she always wanted to explore all the things in entertainment. Hence, she also started acting.

It is common knowledge, every successful profession began with youthful enthusiasm. She was born Irene Nakagami, although being better popular than Teruko Nakagami.

We learned that she was raised on a fruit farm in the Delano Valley with her twin sister. Meanwhile, Teruko and her twin sister were sent to a Japanese-American internment camp in California when they were six years old because of their passion for performing and the arts.

Teruko Nakagami
Source: Twitter

Teruko Nakagami’s Career

Teruko Nakagami started her career as a fashion designer in her early years. She obtained a “scholarship” at her university that allowed her to study fashion design in Paris. Moreover, she attended modeling school there, too, and starred in Givenchy and Christian Dior commercials while she was there.

In the 1990 Japanese television documentary “Boys’ Lives,” Teruko had her debut acting part. Her performance as “Ana” in the 1994 Japanese movie “Crazy Vacation” was her breakthrough.

Teruko went on to star in a number of movies and TV shows in the future. Her most notable performance to date was as “Daimyo” in the Star Wars spinoff movie “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”.

Who is Teruko Nakagami Husband Billy Dee Williams?

Billy Dee Williams is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the suave and charismatic Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise.

Billy Dee Williams has had a prosperous and lengthy career in Hollywood that has lasted for many years. He started his acting career in the 1950s on stage before moving on to film and television in the 1960s.

Williams made multiple appearances in well-known television programs at the beginning of his career, including “The Bill Cosby Show,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “Batman.”

Also, he played minor parts in a number of movies, including “The Out-of-Towners,” “Brian’s Song,” and “Lady Sings the Blues,” which brought him praise from critics.

Throughout his career, Williams has continued to feature in film and television, playing a range of roles. He is also a gifted writer and artist who has published a memoir titled “Billy Dee Williams: Talks” and displayed his paintings in museums and galleries all over the country.

Marriage Life of Teruko Nakagami and Billy Dee Williams

Teruko married actor Billy Dee Williams in a private ceremony at their Japanese villa in Tokyo. They have a son who was born in 1993. Teruko is the third wife of Billy Dee Williams.

Teruko Nakagami’s first spouse was Wayne Shorter before she wed Williams. A daughter named Miyako was the only child Shorter and Nakagami had together. On March 2, 2023, her ex-husband Wayne Shorter passed away at the age of 89.

Billy Dee Williams & Teruko Nakagami
Source: FamousFix

Talking about Billy, two other women shared Billy as their companion. His first wife, Audrey Sellers, with whom he was wed from 1959 until 1963, and through whom he had his eldest son, Corey Williams. Williams married Marlene Clark as his second wife.

Their marriage lasted for 3 years and the couple did not have any children.

Teruko and Billy Dee were wed for roughly 9 years, although things started out rather well. Williams and Teruko agreed to stay married despite her filing for divorce from him in 1992, according to her representative.

How rich is Teruko Nakagami?

Nakagami is able to amass a $1 million total net worth as of 2023 as an actor. Acting is currently her main source of income. 

Disclosing their combined net wealth Billy Dee Williams and Teruko Nakagami are a married couple with a combined net worth of $7.5 million. Their success in the entertainment sector accounts for the majority of their riches, according to Nakagami’s spouse.

Moving on to the source of their fortune, the renowned Hollywood actor had tremendous success. He also received a sizable $5 million salary for each film.

Regarding their assets, the couple received around $2 million for the sale of their Beverly Hills, California home. Nonetheless, the majority of their other assets are still mostly unknown to the public.

Billy and Teruko
Source: Pictures Zimibio

Some Amazing Facts about Teruko Nakagami

  • Teruko Nakagami’s first spouse Wayne made a song “Infant Eyes” in honor of their newborn daughter. 
  • She is featured on the album cover of “Say No Evil” by Wayne Shorter.
  • Teruko and Billy Dee Williams had their first grandchild in 2016.