Teruko Nakagami: Billy Dee Williams’ Wife, Family, and Life Story

Teruko Nakagami is the longtime wife of American actor Billy Dee Williams. She was previously married to jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. Her connections to both men brought her public attention, but she has generally kept her own life private.

Teruko was born in Chicago and is of Japanese heritage. She has two daughters, Miyako from her marriage to Shorter and Hanako from her marriage to Williams. Teruko and Billy married in 1972, separated in 1993, and reportedly reconciled in 1997.

Quick Facts

Teruko Nakagami’s Age and Birthday

Teruko Nakagami is widely reported to have been born in 1946.

Based on that year, she is around 80 years old in 2026. Her exact day and month of birth have not been publicly confirmed.

There are also timeline problems involving her reported birth year and events from her early life, so the year should be treated with some caution.

Where Was Teruko Nakagami Born?

Teruko was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, according to multiple secondary biographies.

She is American and is widely described as Japanese-American because of her Japanese family background.

Teruko Nakagami’s Original Name

Some sources report that Teruko was originally named Irene.

Her full name is often given as Teruko Irene Nakagami.

One secondary biography claims she changed her name to Teruko after meeting Wayne Shorter. However, there is limited reliable information about when or why the name change occurred.

Teruko Nakagami’s Parents and Twin Sister

Information about Teruko’s parents is not publicly available.

Their names and occupations have not been reliably reported.

Teruko reportedly has a twin sister, although her sister’s name and other personal details are not provided in the available information.

Reports About Her Childhood and Japanese-American Internment

Several online biographies claim that Teruko and her twin sister spent time in a Japanese-American internment camp in California when they were six years old.

However, this claim conflicts with her reported 1946 birth year.

The incarceration of Japanese Americans occurred during World War II, mainly from 1942 until 1945. A person born in 1946 could not have been six years old in one of these wartime camps.

Because of this timeline conflict, the claim cannot be treated as a confirmed part of Teruko’s childhood without stronger evidence.

Teruko Nakagami’s Education

Details about Teruko’s education are also limited.

One secondary biography lists Hyde Park High School and Tokyo University of the Arts as schools she attended.

However, other available sources do not confirm this information. Her field of study, degree, and graduation dates are also unclear.

What Does Teruko Nakagami Do for a Living?

Teruko’s professional career is not well documented.

Some secondary biographies describe her as a model and actress, but specific acting roles, modeling campaigns, or professional credits have not been clearly identified.

Other sources simply say her occupation is unknown because she has kept her personal life private.

For this reason, it is safer not to identify acting or modeling as confirmed careers.

Why Is Teruko Nakagami Famous?

Teruko is mainly known because of her relationships with two well-known entertainers.

Her first husband was jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter.

She later married actor Billy Dee Williams, who became internationally known for playing Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars films.

Teruko has also appeared at public events with Williams over the years.

Who Was Wayne Shorter?

Wayne Shorter was an American jazz saxophonist and composer.

He became one of the major figures in modern jazz and was a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.

Teruko was reportedly his first wife.

Their relationship also had a connection to Shorter’s music and album artwork.

Teruko Nakagami and Wayne Shorter’s Marriage

Teruko and Wayne Shorter reportedly married on July 28, 1961.

However, this date creates another conflict with Teruko’s reported 1946 birth year. If both dates were correct, she would have been only about 15 when they married.

The available secondary sources do not explain this timeline problem.

Their exact divorce date is also unclear.

Teruko and Wayne Shorter’s Daughter Miyako

Teruko and Wayne had a daughter named Miyako.

She was reportedly born in 1961.

Miyako became an inspiration for some of her father’s music.

Wayne composed Infant Eyes for his daughter. He also wrote a composition titled Miyako.

Teruko Nakagami on the Speak No Evil Album Cover

Teruko has another important connection to Wayne Shorter’s career.

A photograph of her appears on the cover of Shorter’s 1966 album Speak No Evil.

Shorter reportedly compared her appearance to a Japanese Audrey Hepburn.

This album-cover appearance is one of Teruko’s best-known connections to jazz history.

Who Is Billy Dee Williams?

Billy Dee Williams is an American actor and artist. His full name is William December Williams Jr.

He was born on April 6, 1937, in New York City.

Williams began his film career in The Last Angry Man in 1959 and went on to build a career lasting more than six decades.

He is best known internationally for playing Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise, including The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

His other credits include:

• Lady Sings the Blues
• Mahogany
• Nighthawks
• Batman
• General Hospital
• Undercover Brother
• And Just Like That…

Williams is also a painter. His artwork has appeared in professional exhibitions and collections.

Billy Dee Williams’ Marriages Before Teruko

Teruko became Billy’s third wife.

His first wife was actress and dancer Audrey Sellers. They reportedly married in 1959 and divorced in 1963.

Billy and Audrey had a son named Corey Dee Williams, who was born in 1960.

Billy later married actress Marlene Clark in Hawaii in 1968. Their marriage ended in 1971, and they did not have children together.

When Did Teruko Nakagami Marry Billy Dee Williams?

Teruko and Billy married on December 27, 1972.

The ceremony reportedly took place in Tokyo, Japan.

It has been described as a private wedding. One source says it took place at their residence in Tokyo.

Teruko and Billy Dee Williams’ Daughter Hanako

Teruko and Billy welcomed their daughter Hanako Williams in 1973.

Hanako is their only biological child together.

She reportedly works as the general manager of an art gallery in Los Angeles.

Hanako is married to Liam Toohey.

Teruko Nakagami’s Blended Family

Teruko and Billy created a blended family when they married.

Teruko already had her daughter Miyako from her marriage to Wayne Shorter.

Billy had his son Corey from his marriage to Audrey Sellers.

They then welcomed Hanako together.

Their family therefore includes:

• Miyako
• Corey Dee Williams
• Hanako Williams

Corey is Teruko’s stepson.

Teruko Nakagami’s Grandchildren

Teruko has grandchildren through her daughter Hanako.

Hanako and Liam Toohey reportedly have two children:

• Lucie Katsumi
• Finnegan Ichiro

Teruko and Billy have occasionally appeared publicly with their grandchildren.

Teruko and Billy’s Private Home Life

Despite Billy’s Hollywood career, the couple reportedly preferred a quieter lifestyle.

One account says they raised their family in an unpretentious home above the Hollywood Hills.

They reportedly preferred spending quiet evenings at home rather than regularly attending Hollywood gatherings.

What Billy Dee Williams Said About His Wife

Billy discussed Teruko during a 1980 interview with People.

He praised her principles, morals, and sense of honor. He also said she helped calm him and encouraged him to deal with responsibilities.

His comments provide one of the clearest public descriptions of Teruko and her role in his personal life.

Teruko and Billy Dee Williams’ Separation

Teruko and Billy experienced marital problems after more than two decades together.

In 1993, they separated and divorce proceedings were reportedly started.

Some accounts say Teruko filed for divorce.

A spokesperson for Billy reportedly described their separation as amicable rather than a difficult public divorce.

The couple kept most details of the separation private.

Did Teruko Nakagami divorce Billy Dee Williams?

Sources give conflicting descriptions of what happened after the 1993 filing.

Some reports refer to Billy as Teruko’s ex-husband and suggest their marriage ended.

However, other sources say the divorce was not completed and that they remained legally married.

These sources report that Teruko and Billy reconciled in 1997.

Later biographies continue to identify Teruko as Billy Dee Williams’ wife.

The safest account is that they separated and began divorce proceedings in 1993 but reportedly reconciled in 1997 and continued their marriage.

Are Teruko Nakagami and Billy Dee Williams Still Married?

The most recent information collected describes Teruko and Billy as still married.

Their marriage began in December 1972, although it included their separation during the 1990s.

Recent secondary sources report that the couple lives together in California.

Teruko Nakagami’s Public Appearances

Teruko has generally kept a low profile, but she has attended some public events with Billy.

On March 28, 1973, the couple attended the Variety Club Salute to Frank Yablans in Beverly Hills, California.

On March 19, 1986, they attended the premiere of A Fine Mess in Hollywood.

These appearances document their relationship across different periods of Billy’s career.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Premiere

Teruko made another notable public appearance on December 14, 2015.

She attended the Hollywood premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens with Billy and their grandson Finnegan.

Photographs from the event showed Teruko and Billy posing together.

The appearance came many years after their 1993 separation and reported 1997 reconciliation.

Where Is Teruko Nakagami Today?

Teruko continues to maintain a private life.

A 2024 secondary biography reported that she and Billy were living in Studio City, California.

Her exact current activities are not widely documented.

She has largely remained outside the entertainment industry spotlight despite her long connection to Billy Dee Williams.

Teruko Nakagami’s Social Media

There are no clearly confirmed public Instagram, Facebook, X, or TikTok accounts belonging to Teruko in the available information.

Her low social media presence is consistent with the private lifestyle reported throughout her marriage.

Teruko Nakagami’s Net Worth

Teruko Nakagami’s personal net worth has not been publicly confirmed.

Her professional career is not clearly documented, making online estimates especially difficult to verify.

Billy Dee Williams’ wealth should not be treated as Teruko’s individual net worth.

Teruko Nakagami’s Height

Teruko is reported to be around 5 feet 5 inches tall, or approximately 165 centimeters.

Some secondary sources give slightly different metric measurements.

She is also commonly described as having black hair and dark brown eyes.

Interesting Facts

• Teruko Nakagami was born in Chicago, Illinois.
• Her birth year is widely reported as 1946, although some details connected with that year create timeline conflicts.
• Her exact birthday is not publicly confirmed.
• She is of Japanese heritage.
• Irene is reported to be her original name.
• She reportedly has a twin sister.
• Details about her parents are not publicly known.
• Some sources describe her as a model and actress, but specific professional credits are unclear.
• She was previously married to jazz musician Wayne Shorter.
• Teruko and Wayne had a daughter named Miyako.
• Her photograph appears on the cover of Wayne Shorter’s 1966 album Speak No Evil.
• Wayne Shorter wrote Infant Eyes for their daughter Miyako.
• Teruko married Billy Dee Williams on December 27, 1972.
• She is Billy Dee Williams’ third wife.
• Teruko and Billy have a daughter named Hanako.
• Corey Dee Williams is her stepson.
• Hanako is married to Liam Toohey.
• Teruko’s grandchildren include Lucie Katsumi and Finnegan Ichiro.
• Teruko and Billy separated and began divorce proceedings in 1993.
• They reportedly reconciled in 1997.
• Teruko appeared with Billy and Finnegan at the 2015 premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
• Studio City, California, has been reported as her residence.
• Her personal net worth is not publicly confirmed.

Explore More:

Dominique Caine: All About Michael Caine’s Daughter, Family, and Career