Asake Bomani is an American author, former jazz singer, and art gallery owner who is best known as the ex-wife of Hollywood actor Danny Glover. Born on July 1, 1945, she built a quiet but impressive life of her own long before and after her famous marriage. While many people recognize her name only because of her connection to Glover, Bomani is also an award-winning writer whose 1992 book Paris Connections: African American & Caribbean Artists in Paris earned an American Book Award in 1993. She owned and ran the Bomani Gallery in San Francisco, where she showcased art from around the world. Today, she lives a private life away from the spotlight, but her story is far richer than just being someone’s ex-wife.
Asake Bomani Biography
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Asake Bomani |
| Born | July 1, 1945 |
| Birthplace | Wilmington, Delaware, USA |
| Age | 81 years (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Occupation | Author, former jazz singer, art gallery owner, TV presenter |
| Known For | Ex-wife of Danny Glover; book Paris Connections; Bomani Gallery |
| Education | George Washington High School, San Francisco; San Francisco State University (BA, 1967) |
| Spouse | Danny Glover (married 1975; divorced 2000) |
| Children | Mandisa Glover (daughter, born January 5, 1976) |
| Grandchildren | Adesola Glover (grandson, born January 15, 2004) |
| Famous Book | Paris Connections: African American & Caribbean Artists in Paris (1992) |
| Award | American Book Award (1993) |
| Gallery | Bomani Gallery, San Francisco |
| Net Worth | About $1 million |
| Current Status | Lives a private life; not active on social media |
| Parents | Not publicly known |
| Siblings | Not publicly known |
Early Life and Family Background
Asake Bomani was born on July 1, 1945, in the United States, though her exact birthplace has never been made public.
She comes from an African-American family, and she holds American citizenship. Bomani has always been a private person, so very little is known about her parents or whether she has any siblings. What we do know is that she grew up with a strong sense of self and a love for writing that started in her childhood. Her African lineage and cultural roots would later play a big role in her work as an author and art curator. Even though her early family life remains a mystery, it clearly shaped her into the confident and creative woman she became.
Education and Early Interests
Bomani attended George Washington High School in San Francisco before enrolling at San Francisco State University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1967.
During her college years, she was active as a jazz singer, which is actually how she first caught the attention of a young Danny Glover. Glover later said he was “blown away by this woman” the first time he saw her on campus. Beyond music, Bomani loved writing from a young age and was described as a “self-assured young woman” with a strong sense of morality. Her time at SFSU was a turning point — it was where she discovered her artistic passions, met her future husband, and began the journey toward her career in the arts.
Asake Bomani’s Career in Music and the Arts
Asake Bomani’s career has been rooted in creativity and culture.
She began as a jazz singer during her college years and later became a published author and art curator. Her most notable achievement is her 1992 book Paris Connections: African American & Caribbean Artists in Paris, which she edited alongside Belvie Rooks. The book explored the rich contributions of Black artists living and working in Paris, and it won an American Book Award in 1993. Bomani also hosted an American TV series called “Great Railway Journeys,” where she presented her own travel adventures. Her career shows a deep commitment to celebrating African-American and Caribbean culture through both the written word and visual art.
Asake Bomani and the Bomani Gallery
Asake Bomani owned and operated the Bomani Gallery in San Francisco, which she ran together with her then-husband Danny Glover.
The gallery was located at 251 Post Street, Suite 600, and became a cultural hub for diverse artistic voices. One notable exhibition was “A Common Thread: Innovations and Improvisations in Contemporary Textiles,” which featured 26 textile pieces woven from American Indian, British, Filipino, Brazilian, and African cultures. Bomani described the show’s unifying theme as “the dialogue between the cultures”. The gallery also displayed the Paris Connections exhibition in 1992, which accompanied her award-winning book. Through the Bomani Gallery, she created a space where art could bridge cultural divides and tell powerful stories.
Asake Bomani and Danny Glover’s Marriage
Asake Bomani and Danny Glover first met at San Francisco State University in the late 1960s.
Glover was immediately drawn to her confidence and her presence. He once recalled, “I couldn’t get too many words out… But I was just blown away by this woman”. After dating for several years, the couple married in 1975. Bomani was a huge supporter of Glover’s dream to become an actor and encouraged him to pursue his career. Their marriage lasted nearly 25 years, but it was not always easy. In February 1999, Glover filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, and the divorce was finalized in 2000. Their relationship may have ended, but it produced a lasting legacy in their daughter and in the art they built together.
About Danny Glover
Danny Lebern Glover is a legendary American actor, producer, and political activist born on July 22, 1946, in San Francisco, California.
He is best known for playing Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film series alongside Mel Gibson. His other famous films include The Color Purple, Witness, Dreamgirls, Angels in the Outfield, and The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Glover has received numerous awards, including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the NAACP President’s Award. He is also a dedicated activist who supports many political causes. In 2026, Glover publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which brought renewed attention to his life and family.
Did Asake Bomani and Danny Glover Have Children?
Yes, Asake Bomani and Danny Glover have one child together — a daughter named Mandisa Glover.
Mandisa was born on January 5, 1976, just one year after her parents married. Her name means “sweet” in Swahili, and she is the only child Danny Glover has. Mandisa grew up in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, in a Victorian home just eight blocks from where her father was raised. She has largely stayed out of the Hollywood spotlight, choosing instead to build a career in the food industry. Despite her parents’ divorce, Mandisa has remained close to both of them, and she continues to play an important role in her father’s life, especially as he navigates his health challenges.
Who Is Mandisa Glover?
Mandisa Glover is the only daughter of Danny Glover and Asake Bomani, born on January 5, 1976.
She grew up in San Francisco and later studied history and French at Mills College and San Francisco State University. While she had a few small roles in films, Mandisa chose a different path and became a chef specializing in African fusion dishes. She is based in New York City and is a mother to one son, Adesola, who was born on January 15, 2004. Mandisa has been open about her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, sharing how she first noticed changes in his behavior in 2022. She remains a steady source of support for her father, often sharing warm moments with him on social media.
Why Did Asake Bomani and Danny Glover Divorce?
Asake Bomani and Danny Glover divorced after nearly 25 years of marriage.
On February 4, 1999, Danny Glover filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason. The divorce was finalized in 2000. While the exact details behind their separation have never been made public, the couple had been together since their college days in the late 1960s and married in 1975. Over time, like many long-term marriages, they simply grew apart. Glover moved on and later married Eliane Cavalleiro in 2009, though that marriage also ended in divorce in 2022. Bomani, on the other hand, chose to remain single and has kept her personal life out of the public eye.
Asake Bomani’s Life After Divorce
After her divorce from Danny Glover in 2000, Asake Bomani chose to live a quiet and private life.
She has never remarried and has stayed largely out of the public spotlight. Unlike many celebrity ex-wives, Bomani did not seek fame or attention after the divorce. Instead, she focused on her writing, her art, and her family. She has remained a devoted mother to her daughter Mandisa and a proud grandmother to her grandson Adesola. While she no longer runs the Bomani Gallery, her legacy in the art world continues through the cultural impact of her exhibitions and her award-winning book. Bomani’s choice to stay private reflects the same dignity and self-assurance that first attracted Danny Glover to her decades ago.
Where Is Asake Bomani Now?
Asake Bomani is now in her late 70s and continues to live a quiet, private life in the United States.
She has no public social media accounts and rarely makes public appearances, so exact details about her current whereabouts are not known. What is clear is that she remains close to her daughter Mandisa and her grandson Adesola. As Danny Glover navigates his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Mandisa has been a dedicated support system for him, and Bomani’s role as a mother is reflected in the strong, caring woman Mandisa has become. Bomani’s decision to stay out of the spotlight shows that she values her privacy and her family above public recognition.
Net Worth and Sources of Income
Asake Bomani’s net worth is estimated to be close to $1 million as of early 2022.
Her wealth comes primarily from her career as an author, her work as an art gallery owner, and her divorce settlement from Danny Glover. Her book Paris Connections has continued to sell on platforms like Amazon for decades, providing ongoing royalties. The Bomani Gallery also generated income during the years she ran it in San Francisco. While her net worth is modest compared to her ex-husband’s estimated $40 million, Bomani has built a comfortable and independent life for herself. She has managed her finances well and has never needed to rely on public attention to sustain her lifestyle.
Legacy and Inspiration
Asake Bomani’s legacy goes far beyond being Danny Glover’s ex-wife.
She is an award-winning author, a pioneering art curator, and a cultural bridge-builder who used her platform to celebrate Black artists from around the world. Her book Paris Connections remains an important record of African-American and Caribbean artistic contributions in Paris. Through the Bomani Gallery, she created spaces where art from different cultures could speak to one another. Her life shows that a person can be connected to fame without being defined by it. Bomani chose dignity, privacy, and purpose over celebrity, and that is what makes her truly inspiring. She proves that quiet strength and artistic vision can leave a lasting mark on the world.
Conclusion
Asake Bomani is far more than a footnote in Danny Glover’s life story. She is a talented author, a former jazz singer, a successful art gallery owner, and a devoted mother. Her book Paris Connections won an American Book Award, and her Bomani Gallery became a cultural landmark in San Francisco. While her marriage to Danny Glover ended in divorce after nearly 25 years, she has lived with grace, privacy, and independence ever since. Today, she remains close to her daughter Mandisa and her grandson Adesola, choosing family over fame at every turn. Asake Bomani’s life is a reminder that true success is not measured by public attention but by the art you create, the love you give, and the quiet legacy you leave behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Danny Glover’s first wife?
Danny Glover’s first wife was Asake Bomani. They married in 1975 and divorced in 2000. Together they have one daughter, Mandisa, who was born in 1976.
What is “Bomani” related to Asake?
“Bomani” is a Swahili name meaning “warrior” or “strong soldier”. For Asake Bomani, it is her surname. It is important to note that this is completely separate from the Nigerian musician Asake (Ahmed Ololade). The musician’s stage name comes from his mother’s name, which is a female name in the Yoruba language. There is no connection between the surname Bomani and the musician Asake.
How old is Asake Bomani?
Asake Bomani was born on July 1, 1945. This means she is 81 years old as of September 2026.
Is Mandisa related to Danny Glover?
Yes. Mandisa Glover is the only child of Danny Glover and his first wife, Asake Bomani. She was born on January 5, 1976. She has been open about supporting her father after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Is Asake from Igbo or Yoruba?
This question is a bit confusing because there are two different people with the name “Asake.” Asake Bomani (Danny Glover’s ex-wife): She is an African-American woman born in the USA. She is not Igbo or Yoruba. Asake (the Nigerian musician): He is Yoruba. He has often spoken about his pride in being a Yoruba man and sings primarily in the Yoruba language.
Is Bomani Jones of African heritage?
Yes. Bomani Jones, the American sports journalist, is of African American heritage. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and his name “Bomani” means “warrior,” reflecting his father’s Pan-Africanist views.
