emmitt smith wife
Emmitt Smith’s wife is Patricia “Pat” Southall Smith, an American nonprofit founder and former beauty queen born on December 17, 1970, in Norfolk, Virginia. Emmitt Smith is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, best known for his championship years with the Dallas Cowboys. While Emmitt Smith’s football career made him a household name, many fans are just as curious about the woman who has stood beside him since 2000. This article covers everything you need to know about Pat Southall Smith — her background, career, love story with Emmitt Smith, marriage, children, and more.
Who Is Patricia Southall Smith?
Patricia Annette Southall was born on December 17, 1970, in Norfolk, Virginia, and grew up in nearby Chesapeake, Virginia. She is an American citizen with deep roots in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. From a young age, Southall showed an interest in media and public speaking, which later shaped her education and career path.
She attended James Madison University, where she earned a degree in journalism. This academic background gave her the foundation for the media and broadcasting work she would go on to pursue. During her early twenties, Southall entered the pageant world, where her poise and communication skills quickly stood out. In 1993, she was crowned Miss Virginia USA, and the following year she represented her home state at the Miss USA 1994 pageant, finishing as first runner-up.
Before becoming known as Emmitt Smith’s wife, Southall was previously married to actor and comedian Martin Lawrence from 1995 to 1997. That marriage ended in divorce, and Southall later rebuilt her personal life, eventually meeting the man who would become her husband of more than two decades.
Pat Smith’s Career & Professional Life
Pat Southall Smith’s professional journey began in television and media, a natural extension of her journalism degree and pageant background. She worked as a television host and appeared on shows and programs such as Extra, Access Hollywood, Beverly Hills, 90210, Sunset Beach, and The Wayans Bros., building a presence in front of the camera during the 1990s.
Over time, Pat shifted her focus toward philanthropy and entrepreneurship. She is the founder and CEO of Treasure You, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women facing financial, emotional, or spiritual hardship. She also founded Pat Smith Enterprises and serves as president of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, an organization the couple built together to support youth programs, education, and community causes across Texas and beyond.
While Emmitt Smith’s own net worth is estimated at around $25 million, largely from his NFL career, endorsements, and business ventures, Pat’s personal net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Much of her financial and public profile today is tied to the charitable and business work she does alongside her husband rather than a separately reported figure.
How Did Emmitt Smith and Pat Meet?
Emmitt Smith and Pat Southall crossed paths while both were building public profiles in their respective fields — Emmitt as a record-setting NFL running back with the Dallas Cowboys, and Pat as a former pageant queen turned television personality. Their circles overlapped through Texas social and entertainment events during the late 1990s, a period when Emmitt was already one of the most recognizable athletes in the country.
As their relationship developed, the two kept much of their early dating life private, a pattern that has continued throughout their marriage. Unlike many celebrity couples, Emmitt and Pat have generally avoided turning their courtship into tabloid material, choosing instead to let their public appearances together — at charity events, football functions, and family gatherings — speak for the relationship.
By the late 1990s, the couple’s bond had grown serious enough for an engagement, leading to a wedding that would mark the start of one of the more enduring marriages in professional sports. Their relationship has since been defined less by public romance narratives and more by shared work: raising a family and running Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities together.
Marriage & Wedding Details
Emmitt Smith and Pat Southall got married on April 22, 2000. The wedding brought together family, friends, and figures from both the football and entertainment worlds, reflecting the couple’s combined backgrounds in sports and media.
Since their wedding day, Emmitt and Pat have remained married for more than two decades, a milestone that stands out in a industry where high-profile relationships often don’t last. The couple has continued to mark their partnership publicly through joint charity work, speaking engagements, and family appearances, rather than large publicized anniversary celebrations. Their long marriage has made them one of the more recognizable and stable couples to come out of the NFL world.
Children & Family Life
Emmitt Smith’s wife, Pat, is the mother of five children in total. She has one daughter, Iyanna Faith Lawrence, from her previous marriage to Martin Lawrence. With Emmitt, she has four children: daughters Jasmin, Rheagen, and Skylar, and son Emmitt James Smith IV, known as EJ, who was born on his father’s birthday.
The Smith family has lived in the Dallas, Texas area for years, and the couple has been open about balancing high-profile careers with raising a large blended family. Their children have grown up with connections to both football and higher education — Jasmin attended Duke University, while Skylar studied journalism at the University of Georgia. Despite their public profiles, Emmitt and Pat have worked to keep much of their children’s day-to-day lives private, only sharing family moments selectively, such as holiday videos and milestone celebrations.
Pat Smith on Social Media
Pat Southall Smith maintains a presence on social media, primarily through Instagram, where she shares updates about her charitable work with Treasure You and Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, along with family moments and appearances alongside Emmitt. Her following is modest compared to major celebrity accounts, reflecting her preference for a more private, philanthropy-focused public image rather than a heavily curated influencer-style presence. Her posts tend to highlight community events, family milestones, and causes she supports rather than personal lifestyle content.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patricia Annette Southall Smith |
| Date of Birth | December 17, 1970 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Nonprofit founder/CEO (Treasure You), former TV host, former beauty queen |
| Married to | Emmitt Smith |
| Marriage Year | 2000 (April 22) |
| Children | 5 total (4 with Emmitt Smith) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
FAQ Section
Q: What is Emmitt Smith’s wife’s name? A: Emmitt Smith’s wife is Patricia “Pat” Southall Smith. She is a nonprofit founder and former Miss Virginia USA titleholder.
Q: How old is Pat Smith? A: Pat Smith was born on December 17, 1970, which makes her in her mid-fifties as of 2026. Her exact age changes each year around her December birthday.
Q: What does Pat Smith do for a living? A: Pat Smith is the founder and CEO of Treasure You, a nonprofit supporting women in need. She also leads Pat Smith Enterprises and Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities.
Q: When did Emmitt Smith and Pat get married? A: Emmitt Smith and Pat Southall got married on April 22, 2000. They have remained married for more than two decades.
Q: How many kids do Emmitt Smith and Pat have? A: Emmitt Smith and Pat have four children together: Jasmin, Rheagen, Skylar, and Emmitt James Smith IV (EJ). Pat also has a daughter, Iyanna, from a previous marriage.
Conclusion
Pat Southall Smith is far more than just a famous athlete’s spouse — she’s a former beauty queen, television personality, and nonprofit leader in her own right. As Emmitt Smith’s wife since 2000, she has built a life centered on family, philanthropy, and community impact through Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities and her own organization, Treasure You. Together, Emmitt and Pat have raised a large family while maintaining one of the more lasting marriages in professional sports. Their story shows that behind Emmitt Smith’s football legacy is a strong partnership built on more than two decades of shared purpose.
