Lori McCommas: The Life Story of Terrence Howard’s First Wife

Lori McCommas is best known as the first wife of actor Terrence Howard. She married the Empire star twice in her lifetime. Their relationship began long before Terrence became famous, when they were college sweethearts.

Written by: jamie smith

Published on: February 8, 2026

Lori McCommas is best known as the first wife of actor Terrence Howard. She married the Empire star twice in her lifetime. Their relationship began long before Terrence became famous, when they were college sweethearts. Lori has mostly stayed away from the Hollywood spotlight and chose privacy over fame.

Lori and Terrence share three children together. She raised her family while dealing with the ups and downs of their troubled marriage. Despite their two divorces and marital problems, she remains an important part of Terrence’s life story. Lori has built a quiet life focused on her children and personal pursuits, showing resilience and quiet strength.

Quick Bio

CategoryDetails
Full NameLori McCommas
Famous AsTerrence Howard’s First Wife
BirthplaceNew York, USA
NationalityAmerican
EthnicityAfrican-American
First Marriage1989 (to Terrence Howard)
First Divorce2003
Second Marriage2005 (remarried Terrence Howard)
Second Divorce2007
Children3 (Aubrey, Hunter, Heaven)
OccupationPrivate/Homemaker
Known ForMarriage to actor Terrence Howard
Current StatusSingle

Early Life and Background

Lori McCommas was born and raised in New York. She grew up in a middle-class American family with strong family values. Not much is known about her parents or siblings. Lori has always preferred to keep her personal life private. She had a normal childhood away from the media. Her early years were spent in her hometown with family and friends. Lori attended local schools in New York. She was a regular student who lived a simple life.

Lori was not interested in fame or the entertainment industry. She focused on her education and personal growth. Her family values were important to her from a young age. Lori enjoyed a peaceful life before meeting Terrence Howard. She had dreams and goals like any other young woman. Her background was far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Lori valued privacy and family above everything else. These values stayed with her throughout her life and shaped her worldview.

Meeting Terrence Howard

Lori met Terrence Howard when they were both very young. They were just teenagers at the time. The two attended Pratt Institute in New York together. It was love at first sight for both of them. Terrence was not a famous actor yet. They connected on a deep level from the beginning. Their relationship started in the late 1980s during their student life. Young love brought them close together quickly.

Terrence and Lori fell deeply in love during their college days. They spent a lot of time together as a couple. Their bond grew stronger with each passing day. Terrence was pursuing his dreams of becoming an actor. Lori supported him through his early struggles. They faced challenges together as a young couple. Their romantic relationship was built on love and friendship. Soon they decided to take their relationship to the next level.

Life as Terrence Howard’s Wife

Lori married Terrence Howard in 1989. They were both young and full of hope. Terrence was just starting his acting career at that time. Lori stood by his side through the tough early years. She supported his dreams of making it in Hollywood. Life was not easy in the beginning. They struggled financially like many young couples do.

As Terrence’s career took off, their life changed completely. He started getting bigger roles in movies and TV shows. Lori had to adjust to life in the public eye. Being married to a celebrity brought new challenges. The media attention was difficult for her to handle. She tried to maintain a normal life for their family. Privacy became harder to keep as Terrence became more famous.

Lori focused on raising their three children. She took care of the home while Terrence worked on film sets. Being a devoted mother was her top priority. She wanted to give her kids a stable upbringing. Lori managed the household and family responsibilities. The demands of Hollywood put stress on their marriage. Despite the challenges, she worked hard to keep the family together and provide stability.

The Troubled Marriage

Lori and Terrence’s marriage faced many problems over the years. The couple struggled with constant arguments and fights. Terrence’s rising fame put pressure on their relationship. They had different views on many important issues. Trust became a major issue between them. The stress of Hollywood life affected their bond. Their once happy marriage started falling apart slowly.

Reports suggest there were incidents of domestic violence and domestic abuse. Terrence himself has admitted to past abusive behavior. Lori suffered through difficult times in the marriage and personal battles. The relationship became toxic and unhealthy. She tried to make things work for the sake of their children. But the problems kept getting worse. Finally, Lori decided she had to protect herself and her kids.

The couple separated after years of turmoil. They filed for divorce in 2003. The divorce process was painful for both of them. Lori had to start rebuilding her life. She focused on healing and moving forward. The end of their marriage was hard on the whole family. Their three children were affected by their parents’ split.

Despite the divorce, something unexpected happened. Terrence and Lori got back together in 2005 for a reconciliation. They decided to give their marriage another chance. The couple remarried hoping things would be different. But old patterns repeated themselves quickly. The second marriage lasted only two years. They divorced again in 2007, this time for good in their final separation.

The First Divorce

Lori and Terrence Howard divorced for the first time in 2003. They had been married for fourteen years at that point. The marriage had become too difficult to continue. Years of problems had taken their toll on both of them. Lori filed for divorce to end the unhappy marriage. The decision was not easy for her to make. She had to think about what was best for herself and the children.

The divorce was finalized after a legal process. Lori got custody of their three children. Terrence was granted visitation rights to see his kids. The couple worked out financial arrangements and child support as part of their divorce settlement. Lori had to adjust to being a single mother. She focused all her energy on raising her children alone. Starting over was scary but necessary for her wellbeing. The divorce marked the end of a long and troubled chapter.

Remarriage and Final Separation

Something surprising happened two years after the divorce. Lori and Terrence decided to get back together in 2005. They remarried with hopes of fixing their relationship. Both wanted to give their family another chance. They thought time apart had helped them grow. The children were happy to see their parents reunite. Love brought them back together one more time.

Unfortunately, the second marriage did not last long. The same old problems came back quickly. They fell into familiar negative patterns again. Fighting and disagreements started happening once more. Lori realized nothing had really changed between them. Terrence was still the same person he had been before. The reconciliation was not working out as they had hoped.

The couple separated again in 2007. This time the divorce was final and permanent. Two years of trying again was enough for Lori. She knew she could not keep going through this cycle. The final separation was necessary for her peace of mind. Lori accepted that their relationship was truly over. She walked away from the marriage for good this time, showing tremendous courage. Moving forward meant closing that chapter of her life forever.

Life After Divorce

Lori focused completely on her children after the final divorce. She devoted herself to being the best mother possible. Raising three kids on her own was her main priority. Lori wanted to give them stability and love. She stayed away from the Hollywood scene completely. Privacy became very important to her again. Building a normal life for her family was her goal.

Lori chose to live a quiet life out of the spotlight. She did not seek media attention or fame. Her focus remained on her personal healing and growth. She worked on moving past the difficult years of marriage. Lori found strength in being independent and single. Friends and family supported her through this transition. She rediscovered who she was outside of being Terrence’s wife, finding peace in living life on her own terms.

Today, Lori maintains a low profile away from public view. She has successfully kept her private life private. Not much information is available about her current activities. Lori appears to be focused on her own wellbeing. Her children have grown up and are living their own lives. She has maintained a cordial relationship with Terrence for the kids’ sake through successful co-parenting. Lori has found peace in living a peaceful life on her own terms.

Her Children

Aubrey Howard – Aubrey is the eldest daughter of Lori and Terrence Howard. She was born in 1993 and has grown into a beautiful young woman. Aubrey has mostly stayed away from the entertainment industry despite her father’s fame. She values her privacy just like her mother and prefers to live a quiet life. Aubrey has a close relationship with both her parents and has been seen at family events occasionally.

Hunter Howard – Hunter is the second child and first son of Lori and Terrence. He was born in 1995 and is now a grown man. Hunter has kept a very low profile throughout his life and rarely appears in public. He seems to have inherited his mother’s preference for staying out of the spotlight. Very little information is available about his career or personal life as the family protects his privacy.

Heaven Howard – Heaven is the youngest child of Lori and Terrence Howard. She was born in 1997 and is the baby of the family. Heaven has also chosen to live away from media attention like her siblings. She maintains a private life and does not share much on social media. All three children were raised primarily by their mother Lori after the divorces, which helped keep them grounded and away from Hollywood drama.

Strong Mother-Children Bond – Lori has maintained an incredibly strong relationship with all three of her children throughout the years. She raised them mostly as a single mother after her divorce from Terrence. The children have always been her top priority and she sacrificed a lot to give them a stable upbringing. Her dedication to motherhood helped them grow into well-adjusted adults despite their parents’ troubled marriage and public breakups.

Co-Parenting with Terrence – Despite their difficult marriage and two divorces, Lori and Terrence have managed to co-parent their children successfully. They both remained involved in their children’s lives over the years. Terrence has spoken publicly about his love for his kids and his relationship with them. The children have maintained connections with both parents, showing that Lori and Terrence put their kids first despite their personal differences and past conflicts.

Lori’s Legacy

Lori McCommas’s legacy is one of strength and dignity. She raised three wonderful children despite facing many hardships. Her dedication to motherhood remains her greatest achievement. Lori showed courage by leaving a difficult marriage twice. She chose her wellbeing and her children’s safety over fame. Her story inspires many women in similar situations as a survivor. She proved that you can rebuild your life after heartbreak.

Lori’s choice to stay private speaks volumes about her character. She never sold stories about her marriage to the media. She maintained her dignity throughout all the public drama and public scrutiny. Lori protected her children from the Hollywood spotlight successfully. Her legacy is about being a strong mother and survivor. She built a peaceful life away from all the chaos. Future generations will remember her for her quiet strength and grace.

Terrence Howard’s Other Marriages

After divorcing Lori for the second time, Terrence moved on. He married Michelle Ghent in 2010. That marriage was also troubled and short-lived. They divorced in 2013 after a rocky relationship. Terrence then married Mira Pak in 2013. This was his third wife after Lori and Michelle. The pattern of difficult relationships and relationship struggles continued in his life.

Terrence and Mira Pak had an on-and-off relationship. They divorced in 2015 but got back together later. They remarried in 2018 for a second time. This mirrored his pattern with Lori of marrying twice. Terrence has been married five times to three different women. His relationship history shows a pattern of instability. Lori was his first love and the mother of his first three children.

Challenges and Resilience

Lori faced enormous challenges during her marriage to Terrence. She dealt with domestic violence and emotional abuse. The stress of being married to a celebrity was overwhelming. She had to protect herself and her children from harm. Financial struggles in the early years added to her burden. Public scrutiny made everything worse for her family. Yet she found the strength to keep going every day, demonstrating incredible resilience.

Lori showed incredible resilience by leaving the marriage twice. Starting over as a single mother required tremendous courage. She rebuilt her life from scratch after each divorce. Lori focused on healing and personal growth. She never let the past define her future. Her ability to bounce back is truly inspiring. Today she lives peacefully after overcoming so much pain and adversity.

Media Impact

The media’s interest in Lori increased because of Terrence’s fame. Reporters wanted to know about their troubled marriage. Stories about their relationship appeared in tabloids and gossip sites. Lori never enjoyed this unwanted attention in her life. She refused to give interviews or share her side publicly. The constant media scrutiny was stressful for her and the children. Privacy became nearly impossible during Terrence’s peak fame years.

Despite media pressure, Lori maintained her silence with dignity. She never spoke badly about Terrence in public. Her refusal to engage with tabloids protected her children. The media eventually lost interest as she stayed quiet. Lori successfully faded from the public eye over time. Today very little is written about her current life. She won her battle for privacy and peace, successfully stepping away from the spotlight.

Interesting Facts About Lori McCommas

Lori and Terrence met when they were just teenagers. They fell in love at Pratt Institute in New York. She was his first serious girlfriend and first wife. Lori is the mother of Terrence’s oldest three children. She married the same man twice in her lifetime. Both marriages to Terrence ended in divorce years apart.

Lori has never remarried after her final divorce in 2007. She chose to stay single and focus on herself. Very few photos of Lori exist on the internet. She does not have any public social media accounts or social media presence. Lori successfully kept her children out of Hollywood. She lives a completely private life away from cameras. Her ability to disappear from public view is remarkable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lori McCommas?

Lori McCommas is the first wife of famous actor Terrence Howard. She is best known for her marriage to the Empire star and is the mother of his three oldest children.

How many times did Lori McCommas marry Terrence Howard?

Lori McCommas married Terrence Howard twice. They first married in 1989 and divorced in 2003, then remarried in 2005 before divorcing again in 2007.

Does Lori McCommas have children with Terrence Howard?

Yes, Lori has three children with Terrence Howard. Their names are Aubrey, Hunter, and Heaven Howard.

When did Lori McCommas and Terrence Howard get divorced?

Lori and Terrence divorced twice – first in 2003 after 14 years of marriage, and then again in 2007 after remarrying. The 2007 divorce was their final separation.

Where did Lori McCommas meet Terrence Howard?

Lori met Terrence Howard at Pratt Institute in New York. They were both teenagers attending college when they fell in love in the late 1980s.

Is Lori McCommas married now?

No, Lori McCommas is not married now. She has remained single since her final divorce from Terrence Howard in 2007.

What does Lori McCommas do for a living?

Lori McCommas keeps her professional life very private. She focused primarily on being a mother and homemaker, staying away from the entertainment industry.

Why did Lori McCommas and Terrence Howard divorce?

Their marriage had serious problems including reports of domestic violence and constant conflicts. The relationship was troubled and unhealthy, leading to two divorces.

How old is Lori McCommas?

Lori McCommas’s exact age is not publicly confirmed. She was born in New York and keeps her personal details including birthdate very private.

What is Lori McCommas doing now?

Lori McCommas lives a quiet, private life away from the spotlight. She focuses on her children and personal wellbeing, staying completely out of the media and public view.

Conclusion

Lori McCommas’s life story is one of strength and survival. She went through difficult times in her marriage to Terrence Howard. Despite two divorces and many challenges, she never gave up. Lori focused on raising her three children with love and care, showing dedication to motherhood.

Today, Lori lives peacefully away from the public eye. She chose privacy and dignity over fame and attention. Her journey shows that it’s possible to rebuild after heartbreak. Lori McCommas remains a quiet example of resilience and motherhood, demonstrating grace under pressure while maintaining her personal values.

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