Katherine Lemon Clark Biography: Family, Children, and Life as Don Lemon’s Mother

Katherine Lemon Clark is best known as the mother of journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon. She raised her family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has occasionally appeared with Don in public and on his programs. Katherine has spoken about race, her family roots, and her experience supporting Don after he came out as gay.

Quick Facts

Katherine Lemon Clark’s Early Life

Little information is publicly available about Katherine’s early years.

Her date of birth, age, and birthplace have not been publicly confirmed in the available sources. Details about her parents and siblings are also not known.

Katherine’s adult and family life has strong ties to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Don Lemon spent much of his childhood.

Her Education and Career

Katherine’s educational background has not been publicly documented. There is no confirmed information about the schools or colleges she attended.

Her profession is also not clearly reported.

Although Katherine has appeared on CNN and Don’s podcast, these were personal appearances rather than evidence of a professional media career.

Her Relationship With Wilmon Richardson

Katherine Lemon Clark had a relationship with Wilmon Richardson, who was Don Lemon’s biological father.

According to Don’s account reported by the supplied sources, Katherine and Wilmon were each married to other people during their relationship. Katherine later left her husband after problems in that marriage.

Don was born on March 1, 1966.

He was originally given the surname of Katherine’s husband at the time. Don has said that he learned at around age five that Wilmon Richardson was his biological father.

Who Was Wilmon Richardson?

Wilmon Richardson was an attorney in Louisiana.

He is also reported to have been involved in a legal case that successfully challenged segregation on public transportation in Baton Rouge.

Wilmon died while Don was still a child. His death was reportedly connected to health problems caused by diabetes.

Katherine Later Remarried

Katherine Lemon Clark later married another man in 1977.

Don has spoken warmly about his stepfather and said he raised him as his own after Wilmon’s death.

In May 2021, Don shared a birthday tribute to his late stepfather. He said the man would have been 98 years old that year and thanked him for raising him.

Don also shared an older photograph of his stepfather in 2019. The picture was reportedly taken around 1994.

The full name of Katherine’s later husband was not provided in the available sources.

Katherine Lemon Clark’s Children

Katherine’s children include Don Lemon, Leisa Lemon, and Yma.

Leisa was Don’s oldest sister. Don has described her as someone who was very close to him while they were growing up.

The family was raised mainly in Baton Rouge.

The Death of Her Daughter Leisa

Katherine lost her daughter Leisa Lemon on January 31, 2018.

Leisa died after drowning during a fishing accident in Denham Springs, Louisiana.

Don publicly addressed his sister’s death the following day. He described Leisa as his oldest sister and someone who had always supported him while they were growing up.

Yma is reported to be Don’s surviving sister.

Katherine and Don Lemon’s Relationship

Katherine Lemon Clark and Don have maintained a close relationship.

Don has regularly recognized his mother publicly and through social media.

He has described Katherine as someone family members could approach for advice, laughter, emotional support, a hug, and even an occasional beer.

One of the most personal parts of their relationship became public when Don discussed coming out to his mother.

Don Lemon First Came Out to His Mother

Don moved to New York City in the mid-1990s. At the time, he was living with his first boyfriend, John.

Their relationship eventually ended.

Katherine was in Baton Rouge and noticed that her son was unhappy. During a conversation with her, Don explained that he was upset about his relationship with John.

When Katherine asked what kind of relationship they had, Don told her that John had been his lover.

It was the first time he openly told his mother about his sexuality.

Katherine’s Reaction to Don Coming Out

According to Don, Katherine Lemon Clark told him she loved him.

She also admitted that she had previously heard speculation about his sexuality but had chosen not to address it.

Her acceptance developed over time. Katherine worried about Don’s safety, emotional health, career, and whether he would be able to have the family life he wanted.

Don said her views changed as she learned more about his life and met his friends.

He believed that experience helped his mother understand that many of her fears were not accurate.

Don later publicly came out as gay in a 2011 New York Times profile, around 15 years after telling Katherine.

Katherine and Tim Malone

Don later entered a long-term relationship with real estate executive Tim Malone.

By 2020, Don and Tim were engaged and living together with three dogs.

Tim also became part of Katherine’s family circle. One source reports that he joined Katherine in the audience during an episode of The View.

Katherine Appeared on Silence Is Not an Option

In 2020, Katherine joined Don on his podcast, Silence Is Not an Option.

She discussed the historical portrayal of Black people in movies.

Katherine spoke critically about Black characters repeatedly being placed in stereotypical roles. She specifically discussed the use of roles and labels such as “Uncle” and “Mammy.”

She also spoke about growing up without seeing enough people on screen who represented her own experiences.

Her Trip to Africa With Don

Katherine and Don also traveled to Africa to explore their family roots.

They later appeared together on CNN to discuss the trip.

Katherine connected the journey with their ancestors and described it as an experience she would not forget.

The supplied information does not identify the exact African country or countries they visited.

Katherine Lemon Clark’s Public Appearances

Katherine Lemon Clarkis not a regular television personality, but she has occasionally appeared publicly with her son.

Her known appearances include her discussion with Don about their trip to Africa on CNN and her 2020 appearance on Silence Is Not an Option.

She was also in the audience for an episode of The View in January 2023.

Her public appearances have mainly involved her family, personal experiences, or discussions about race and history.

Who Is Don Lemon?

Don Lemon is an American journalist and television personality born on March 1, 1966.

He spent much of his childhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before building a career in television news.

He became widely known through his work at CNN and later served as one of the hosts of CNN This Morning. He has also worked as a contributor to TODAY.

Don has received public attention for his television journalism as well as his discussions about race, sexuality, politics, and his personal life.

Katherine has appeared with him at different points during his media career.

Katherine Lemon Clark’s Instagram

Katherine joined Instagram and reportedly made her first post in 2019.

That post featured former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Katherine does not appear to be a frequent social media user. A 2023 report said she had posted only a few times and had more than 400 followers at that point.

On January 23, 2023, she posted a video showing herself in the audience during an episode of The View.

Where Is Katherine Lemon Clark Today?

Katherine Lemon Clark has generally maintained a private life outside her appearances with Don.

The most recent specific public activity in the supplied information is her appearance in the audience of The View in January 2023.

Her exact current residence and activities in 2026 have not been publicly confirmed in the available information.

Katherine Lemon Clark’s Net Worth

Katherine Lemon Clark’s personal net worth is not reliably known.

There is no verified information about her income, property, investments, or other assets.

Don Lemon’s career earnings should not be used to estimate his mother’s personal wealth.

Interesting Facts

• Katherine Lemon Clark is Don Lemon’s mother.
• She is also referred to as Katherine Clark.
• Her family has strong ties to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• Don Lemon was born on March 1, 1966.
• Don’s biological father was attorney Wilmon Richardson.
• Don learned at about age five that Wilmon was his biological father.
• Wilmon died while Don was still a child.
• Katherine later married another man in 1977.
• Don has said his stepfather raised him as his own.
• Katherine’s children include Don, Leisa, and Yma.
• Leisa died in a drowning accident in January 2018.
• Don first came out to Katherine in the mid-1990s.
• Don publicly came out in 2011.
• Katherine Lemon Clark appeared on Silence Is Not an Option in 2020.
• She has spoken publicly about Black representation in movies.
• Katherine traveled to Africa with Don to explore their family roots.
• She later discussed the trip with Don on CNN.
• Katherine joined Instagram and made her first reported post in 2019.
• She appeared in the audience of The View in January 2023.

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