Actress Gabrielle Union is opening up about the profound grief of losing her father and the steadfast support she has received from her husband, former NBA star Dwyane Wade.
Union’s father, Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr., died on April 3 at the age of 81 following a lengthy battle with dementia. Speaking at the 2026 Tiffany & Co. Blue Book Gala in New York earlier this month, Union described the emotional toll of the loss and the intimate way Wade has helped her navigate the tragedy. The couple has spent the weeks since the funeral reminiscing over old photographs and celebrating the close bond Wade shared with his father-in-law.
“You know, my dad and my husband were very, very close,” Union said in a recent interview. She explained that the retired athlete has been a constant source of stability during her most difficult moments. “I don’t know, we just go through pictures and reminisce, and he’s just physically there when I’m crumbling,” she said.
The “Bring It On” actress previously shared the agonizing reality of her father’s decline on social media, detailing how dementia slowly eroded his personality. She described the “brutal” progression of the disease, noting how small instances of memory loss eventually led to the loss of basic motor functions like walking and swallowing.
Union’s transparency extends beyond emotional health to the financial realities of elder care. She previously spoke at the American Black Film Festival about how the high costs of nursing homes and memory care facilities influenced her professional choices.
The actress admitted she became more strategic about accepting acting roles to ensure she could afford the best possible care for her father. “Nursing homes, what’s covered by insurance, what’s not, home health aids — like that all adds up,” Union said.