Celebrity
Who Was Atila Altaunbay? The Story of Grace Jones’ Former Husband
Atila Altaunbay became known through his marriage to Grace Jones. She is a Jamaican singer, model, and actress. Yet his own story was very different from hers. He was a young man living in Belgium when their paths crossed in 1996. Within a short time, he went from student life to a marriage that drew global attention.
Many online profiles repeat dramatic claims about Atila Altaunbay. Some of those claims do not match stronger records. His own 2016 interview with the Belgian press gives a clearer picture. It shows a man who met Jones in a nightclub and married her in Brazil. He later chose a normal working life in Belgium.
His story also contains an unusual legal question. Jones said she had not completed a divorce. Altaunbay later said he believed their Brazilian marriage was not valid because he had remarried in Belgium.
Quick Bio
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Atila Altaunbay, also spelled Atila Altunbay in Belgian reports |
| Background | Turkish |
| Home in Belgium | Linked with Antwerp and later the Ghent area |
| Education | Studied marketing when he met Grace Jones |
| Known for | Marriage to Grace Jones |
| Publicly described work | Former bodyguard and later a worker at Volvo Cars Ghent |
| Marriage | Married Grace Jones in Rio de Janeiro on February 24, 1996 |
| Later life | Returned to Belgium and remarried |
| Death | Belgian press reported that he died unexpectedly in 2021 |
Who Was Atila Altaunbay?
He was a Turkish man based in Belgium who became famous because of his relationship with Grace Jones. In 1996, Belgian reports placed him in Antwerp and described him as a 21 year old student. He was studying marketing and thinking about his future.
The public often knows him as a former bodyguard. The Guardian used that description in 2015. Yet his own account says he first met Jones socially at Carré, a nightclub in Belgium.
His public fame was brief compared with Jones’s long career. She had already built a major name in music, fashion, and film. He entered that world through their relationship, then left it after a few years. His later choices show that celebrity life did not become his permanent identity.
Turkish and Belgian Background
Jones described her husband as a Muslim from Turkey in her memoir, I’ll Never Write My Memoirs. Belgian news reports also called him a Turkish man from Antwerp. These sources support the basic facts about his background. They avoid online guesses about his exact birthplace or birthday.
By 1996, he was living in Belgium. His 2016 interview shows that he had friends there and was enrolled in marketing studies. He also spoke about his future in practical terms. When Jones asked him to move to New York, he worried about leaving his education behind.
That response gives a useful view of his life before fame. He was not presented as an established entertainer or celebrity. He was a young student with plans in Belgium. His sudden connection with one of pop culture’s most distinct stars changed that routine almost at once.
How Did Atila Altaunbay Meet Grace Jones?

The strongest first person account says Atila Altaunbay met Grace Jones at Carré in Belgium in 1996. He had gone to the club with friends. Jones noticed him and later asked to speak with him in the VIP area. He said he did not fully understand how famous she was at first.
Their connection moved quickly. Jones returned to the United States but stayed in touch with him. She later came back to Belgium and asked him to live with her in New York. He hesitated because he was studying marketing and did not want to throw away his plans.
Jones then asked him to marry her. In his later account, the large age gap made him pause. His friends encouraged him to take the chance. The couple then traveled to Brazil. Their private romance soon became international news.
Atila Altaunbay and the Rio de Janeiro Wedding
Atila Altaunbay and Grace Jones married in Rio de Janeiro on February 24, 1996. A March 1996 report from El Tiempo gave the same date. It described Altaunbay as a young Belgian student. A Brazilian newspaper had also photographed Jones with her Turkish boyfriend during Carnival days earlier.
The wedding came soon after they met. Jones was already known worldwide for music, fashion, and film. Altaunbay entered a world of cameras, travel, famous guests, and luxury.
Years later, Jones said he was the only boyfriend she truly married. She used that point to reject old stories that she had married music producer Chris Stanley. Her statement gave the 1996 union a special place in her personal history.
Life With Grace Jones
Marriage brought him into the center of celebrity life. In his 2016 interview, he recalled traveling around the world with Jones. He said they used limousines, flew on the Concorde, and stayed in expensive hotel suites. He also met major stars through her circle.
He named Robert De Niro, Mel Gibson, and Naomi Campbell when describing that period. His own account shows how fast his daily life changed after the wedding.
Still, he did not describe that life as something he later missed. When he spoke to Belgian reporters years later, he said a simple life suited him. That comment became one of the clearest signs of how far he had moved from the public world around Jones.
Separation from Grace Jones
Belgian reporting says the age difference and his homesickness played a role in the end of the relationship. He was 21 when they met, while Jones was 48. Their lives had begun from very different places, even though the romance moved fast.
A later Belgian profile says he returned to Belgium in 2001 after about five years with Jones. This account differs from many online biographies that give 2004 as the separation year. The Belgian report is stronger because it draws on Altaunbay’s own 2016 interview.
The stronger Belgian record points to a split by 2001. It also supports his wish to leave celebrity life and settle again in Belgium.
Was Their Divorce Ever Finalized?
The legal status of the marriage became confusing. In a 2015 interview with The Guardian, Jones called Altaunbay her actual husband. She said she could not find him to get a divorce. She added that, in their own view, they were already divorced.
Then the Belgian press found him. In 2016, he said he had already remarried and had done so without legal trouble. He therefore believed the marriage in Brazil had not been valid. His view did not fully match Jones’s view.
There is no solid basis to claim that a formal divorce was completed. The two gave different public accounts of the marriage’s legal status. Their relationship, however, had clearly ended.
Atila Altaunbay’s Return to an Ordinary Life
After his time with Jones, he returned to Belgium. By 2016, he was living a much quieter life in the Ghent area. Belgian newspaper reports said he worked on an assembly line at Volvo Cars Ghent.
He had also remarried. The same report said his new wife was a woman of Turkish background. This fact came directly from his own comments. It also shaped his belief that the Brazilian marriage to Jones could not have remained legally binding.
His attitude toward fame was clear. He said he did not miss the jet set life. He preferred the simple routine he had built in Belgium. That decision makes his later story less mysterious than many online biographies suggest.
Work and Career Claims
Several websites describe him as a model, singer, actor, or performer. Stronger sources do not give enough detail to build a verified entertainment career around those labels. The strongest public records link him to Jones and to former bodyguard work. They also link him to marketing studies and later to Volvo Cars Ghent.
This distinction matters. A private interest is not the same as a documented career. First person interviews and contemporary reports carry more weight than copied biography claims.
Grace Jones, by contrast, had a clear and highly documented career. She was a successful singer, model, and actress long before the marriage. Altaunbay’s public importance comes mainly from his unusual place in her personal story and from the life he chose afterward.
Later Life and Death
For years, many readers assumed he had vanished. In fact, the 2016 Belgian interview showed that he was living and working in Belgium. He had a job, a new marriage, and no wish to return to the celebrity world.
A 2023 report in Nieuwsblad later stated that he had died unexpectedly two years earlier. That places his death in 2021. The report did not give a public cause of death. Claims about addiction, illness, or other causes should not be treated as fact.
This is one area where restraint is useful. His later life was private, and the strongest reporting gives only a few facts. He returned to Belgium and built a quieter life. Belgian press later reported his death in 2021.
His Place in Grace Jones’s Story
He remains notable because Jones identified him as the one man she married. That makes him distinct from her better known past partners. Her relationships with Jean Paul Goude and Dolph Lundgren were also well known. Yet she drew a clear line around the marriage to Altaunbay.
Jones has one son, Paulo Goude, from her relationship with Jean Paul Goude. Paulo was born years before the 1996 wedding and is not Altaunbay’s son. This helps separate another fact that is often blurred in short celebrity biographies.
Their marriage also shows two very different lives. Jones stayed in art and public performance. Altaunbay returned to Belgium and chose ordinary work.
Final Thoughts
The verified story of Atila Altaunbay is more grounded than many online versions suggest. He was a young Turkish man in Belgium, studying marketing when he met Grace Jones in 1996. They married in Rio de Janeiro, traveled together, and shared a highly unusual period of life.
Their relationship later ended, and the legal status of the marriage remained disputed in public comments. Jones said she could not locate him for a divorce. He said he had already remarried and believed the Brazilian union was not valid.
He then returned to Belgium, worked at Volvo Cars Ghent, and stayed away from celebrity culture. Belgian press later reported that he died unexpectedly in 2021. His life is best understood through documented facts. Many unsupported claims have grown around his name.
FAQs
Who was Grace Jones’s husband?
Grace Jones said that Altaunbay was the one boyfriend she actually married. They wed in Rio de Janeiro on February 24, 1996. She later described him as her actual husband when speaking about the difficulty of getting a divorce.
Where did Grace Jones meet her husband?
According to Altaunbay’s 2016 interview, they met at Carré, a nightclub in Belgium. Jones noticed him there and asked to speak with him in the VIP area. They stayed in contact after she returned to the United States.
How old was Grace Jones’s husband when they married?
Contemporary and Belgian reports say he was 21 in 1996. Jones was 48 at the time. Their 27 year age gap became one of the most discussed parts of the relationship.
Did Grace Jones and her husband have children together?
Grace Jones’s son, Paulo Goude, is the child of her earlier relationship with French artist and designer Jean Paul Goude. He was born before Jones’s marriage to Altaunbay. Public records do not identify Paulo as Altaunbay’s child.
What happened to Grace Jones’s former husband?
He returned to Belgium after the relationship ended and later worked at Volvo Cars Ghent. He also remarried. A Belgian newspaper reported in 2023 that he had died unexpectedly two years earlier, placing his death in 2021.
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Celebrity
Marrakech7: Your Guide to Moroccan News
Marrakech7 is a Moroccan digital news platform linked with Marrakech Al-Ikhbaria. It mainly covers Marrakech and the Marrakech-Safi region. Readers can find reports about local affairs, politics, society, sports, culture, security, and public projects.
The platform also covers major news from across Morocco. Its website divides stories into sections, making different topics easy to find. Marrakech7 can be useful for readers who want to follow local, regional, and national Moroccan news online.
Marrakech7 and Marrakech Al-Ikhbaria
Marrakech7 is closely linked with Marrakech Al-Ikhbaria, an independent digital newspaper. It publishes its reports online and covers several types of news.
The website divides stories into different sections. Readers can find politics, sports, society, and local news without searching through unrelated reports. This makes it easier to follow a specific topic.
Marrakech7 Local News Coverage
Local news is a major part of Marrakech7. It reports on events in Marrakech and nearby areas. Topics include infrastructure, public projects, security operations, court cases, and local government work.
Road projects and changes to public services can directly affect local people. These stories may not receive wide national attention, but they can be important for people living in the area.
The platform also reports on security and court matters when they become news. This helps readers follow important events taking place in their city and region.
Marrakech7 Politics and Government News
Politics is another part of the website. Its reports can cover political activity, government decisions, laws, public policy, and political groups. It also follows regional government matters.
Political decisions can affect public services and local projects. Reports can help readers understand what happened, who was involved, and why a decision matters.
The platform also covers important political news from across Morocco. National government programs and decisions may later affect people living in Marrakech and the wider region.
Marrakech7 Society and Community Stories
The society section focuses on issues that affect people and communities. It can include public needs, local programs, community projects, and other social matters.
Regional recovery after Morocco’s September 2023 earthquake is one important topic. Recovery work can include rebuilding homes, restoring public services, and providing support to affected communities.
The platform also reports on public and community programs. These stories show how larger events and government plans can affect people living in Marrakech-Safi.
Marrakech7 Sports News
Sports are an important part of the website. Football receives strong coverage. Reports include local teams such as Kawkab Marrakech and other football news from Morocco.
Local fans can follow matches, results, club news, and other team developments. This gives supporters a simple way to keep up with local football.
The sports section also covers Morocco’s national teams and major sporting events. Readers can follow both Marrakech sports and larger sports stories from across the country.
Marrakech7 Culture and Regional Life
The website also covers culture and regional life. Reports can include local events, public activities, traditions, and other stories from Marrakech and nearby areas.
Cultural coverage helps readers learn about events and activities taking place in the region. It also gives space to topics beyond politics, security, and government news.
Marrakech is known around the world as a tourist city, but local life includes much more. Public services, sports, cultural events, neighborhoods, and community activities are also important parts of the city.
Marrakech7 Coverage of the Marrakech-Safi Region
Marrakech7 covers news from across the Marrakech-Safi region. Reports can include public projects, local services, government work, and events in towns outside Marrakech.
Regional projects can affect many communities. New roads, public services, and government plans may serve people across the region.
The platform also covers major events that affect several areas. This helps readers follow news from the wider Marrakech-Safi region.
Marrakech7 National Moroccan News
The website also reports on major news from across Morocco. Topics can include politics, social issues, government decisions, sports, and other national events.
National decisions can affect local areas. A government program may lead to new services or projects in Marrakech-Safi.
Readers can follow local news while also learning about important events in other parts of Morocco.
How Marrakech7 Publishes News?
Marrakech7 publishes its news online. Readers can access the website from a phone, tablet, or computer.
Stories are placed into sections based on topic. Readers can choose sections for sports, politics, society, or local affairs.
New reports can be published as events happen. Readers should check the date because older stories may still appear in search results.
Who Reads Marrakech7?
The platform is useful for people who follow news from Marrakech and Marrakech-Safi. Local readers can find reports about public projects, government work, sports, security, and community issues.
Moroccans living in other cities or countries may also use the site. They can follow events, local football, and changes taking place in Marrakech.
The website also covers wider Moroccan news. This gives readers access to local, regional, and national stories.
Why Marrakech7 Matters for Local News?
National news outlets may not cover every event in each city or town. Local news sites can give more space to stories from one region.
These stories can include road projects, court cases, security operations, and local government decisions. Such events can directly affect people living in the area.
Marrakech7 focuses on Marrakech and Marrakech-Safi. Its coverage includes public projects, local government, community issues, sports, and other regional news.
What to Check When Reading Marrakech7 News?
Always check the date of an online news report. An older article may not include the latest information about an event.
Readers should also read the full story instead of only the headline. The full report can provide important facts that are not shown in the title.
Major claims can also be checked with official sources or other trusted news outlets. This is useful for politics, court cases, security reports, and breaking news.
Conclusion
Marrakech7 is a Moroccan digital news platform linked with Marrakech Al-Ikhbaria. It mainly covers Marrakech and the Marrakech-Safi region while also reporting important national news.
Its topics include local affairs, politics, society, sports, culture, security, government work, and public projects. The website separates these topics into sections so readers can find news more easily.
The platform gives readers a way to follow news from Marrakech and the wider region. Readers should still check story dates and compare major claims with trusted sources when needed.
FAQs
What is Marrakech7?
Marrakech7 is an online Moroccan news platform that covers local, regional, and national news.
What area does Marrakech7 mainly cover?
Its main focus is Marrakech and the wider Marrakech-Safi region.
What news does Marrakech7 publish?
It covers local affairs, politics, society, sports, culture, security, and public projects.
Does Marrakech7 cover sports?
Yes. Its sports coverage includes local football, Kawkab Marrakech, and wider Moroccan sports news.
Does Marrakech7 cover national Moroccan news?
Yes. The platform also reports on important events and developments from across Morocco.
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Celebrity
Who Was Doughtry Long? What We Know About Nia Long’s Father
Doughtry Long was an American poet, writer, teacher, and mentor. Many people know him as the father of actress Nia Long. He was also the father of comedian Sommore.
Known as “Doc,” Doughtry Long spent more than 30 years in education. He taught writing and literature in Trenton, New Jersey. He also wrote poetry, supported Black history, and worked with young writers.
Quick Bio
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Doughtry Long Jr. |
| Nickname | Doc |
| Known For | Poet, teacher, writer, and father of Nia Long |
| Date of Birth | March 14, 1942 |
| Birthplace | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Raised In | Trenton, New Jersey |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Poet, writer, educator, mentor |
| College | West Virginia State College |
| Graduate School | Trenton State College |
| Degree | Master’s degree in Urban Studies |
| Main Workplace | Trenton Central High School |
| Teaching Subjects | Literature and creative writing |
| Teaching Career | More than 30 years |
| School Project | Phoenix Literary Magazine |
| Peace Corps Work | Community development in West Africa |
| Prison Education | African American Studies Program at Trenton State Prison |
| Other Education Work | Poetry in the Schools program |
| Literary Group | Linked with the Trenton Writers Guild |
| Notable Book | Black Love Black Hope |
| Other Works | Timbuktu Blues, Song for Nia, Rules for Cool |
| Poetry Award | Broadside Press Award for Poetry |
| Arts Recognition | Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts |
| Interests | Poetry, jazz, fishing, photography, and travel |
| Daughter | Nia Long |
| Daughter | Lori Rambough, known as Sommore |
| Daughter | Djamila McRae |
| Date of Death | January 27, 2020 |
| Age at Death | 77 |
| Legacy | Education, poetry, mentoring, and community work in Trenton |
Doughtry Long’s Early Life
Doughtry “Doc” Long Jr. was born on March 14, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia. He later grew up in Trenton, New Jersey. Trenton became an important part of his life and work.
He studied, taught, and wrote in the city. He also became active in local schools and arts programs. Many students and writers in Trenton came to know him well.
Long grew up during a time of major racial and social change in the United States. These issues later appeared in his writing and teaching. His poetry often focused on Black life and culture.
People knew him in different ways. Some knew him as a teacher. Others knew him as a poet, writer, mentor, jazz lover, or fisherman.
Doughtry Long’s Education
Education was a major part of Doughtry Long’s life. He attended West Virginia State College, which is now West Virginia State University.
He later studied at Trenton State College, now called The College of New Jersey. He earned a master’s degree in Urban Studies there.
His studies matched his later work. Long cared about education, cities, and local communities. He often linked learning with Black history and social issues.
For Long, education was more than school work. He wanted people to understand their history, their community, and their own ideas.
Doughtry Long’s Teaching Career
Doughtry Long worked in education for more than 30 years. He was best known as a literature and creative writing teacher at Trenton Central High School.
He taught students how to read and write. He also asked them to create their own poems and stories. Long wanted young people to believe their voices had value.
He encouraged students to attend poetry readings and open-mic events. These events helped them meet other writers and learn outside the classroom.
Former student Reggie Walker said Long had a strong effect on his life. Walker said Long helped students believe they could become writers and succeed.
Some students stayed connected with Long after leaving school. Several later became writers, teachers, poets, and community leaders.
His work had an impact beyond one class or school year. Former students still spoke about his support years later.
Doughtry Long and Trenton Central High School
Trenton Central High School was a major part of Doughtry Long’s career. He taught literature and creative writing there for many years.
Long also founded the Phoenix Literary Magazine. It gave students a place to publish poems, stories, and other writing.
He often took students to poetry readings and open-mic events. These trips helped them meet writers outside their school.
Reggie Walker said Long took students to events in places such as Princeton. Long wanted them to see that their own writing mattered.
Walker later became an educator and published poetry. He also took his own students to writing events. He credited Long with helping him believe in himself.
After Doughtry Long died, many former students shared stories about him. They remembered him as both a teacher and a mentor.
Doughtry Long’s Poetry and Writing
Poetry was an important part of Doughtry Long’s life. He wrote about Black identity, family, culture, and social issues.
Nia Long later said her father wrote about the Black experience in America. She also described him as proud of Black history and culture.
His poetry appeared in several literary journals. These included The Literary Review, Brilliant Corners, Obsidian, Painted Bride Quarterly, and Black Renaissance Noire.
Long also used poetry in his teaching and community work. He saw writing as a way to talk about history, identity, and daily life.
He took part in poetry readings in Trenton. Classics Books remembered him as a regular part of local literary events.
At some readings, jazz musicians performed with him. This brought together two of his main interests: poetry and jazz.
Doughtry Long’s Books
Doughtry Long wrote several books and poetry works. One of his best-known titles is Black Love Black Hope.
He also wrote Timbuktu Blues and Song for Nia: A Poetic Essay in Three Parts. The title Song for Nia was linked to his daughter Nia Long.
Another work was Rules for Cool. The book used humor and advice to encourage young people to read, learn, and think.
The message matched Long’s work as a teacher. He wanted students to build their vocabulary, ask questions, and value learning.
Another title linked to him is Ginger Bread Mama. Reports also mention children’s writing and work linked to his family.
His books often focused on the same subjects he taught. These included education, Black culture, family, and personal growth.
Doughtry Long’s Awards and Literary Recognition
Doughtry Long’s poetry was published outside Trenton as well. His work appeared in journals and poetry collections.
His poems were included in The Poetry of Black America, Blue Stones and Salt Hay, Gathering Ground, Let Loose on the World, A Rock Against the Wind, and Legacies.
Long also received the Broadside Press Award for Poetry. Broadside Press is known for publishing and supporting Black poets.
He received a fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. This recognized his work as a poet in New Jersey.
Long was also linked with the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and its poetry programs.
In 2019, three of his poems appeared in The Bookshop on Lafayette Street. The book was published by Eric Maywar of Classics Books in Trenton.
Doughtry Long’s Civil Rights and Community Work
Doughtry Long cared about Black history and equal rights. His teaching and writing often focused on Black life in America. He also took part in talks about civil rights and social change.
He believed education could help people understand their past and their community. He used books, poetry, and public talks to share these ideas.
Long was also active in Trenton. He supported students, young writers, and local artists. His work often linked education, culture, and community life.
Doughtry Long’s Peace Corps Work
Doughtry Long also worked with the Peace Corps in West Africa. His work focused on community development.
This gave him experience outside the United States. He later spoke about his time in West Africa during public events and poetry programs.
Travel was also one of his interests. His Peace Corps work became another important part of his life and community work.
Doughtry Long’s Work Beyond the Classroom
Long’s work went beyond Trenton Central High School. He also took part in other education and writing programs.
He helped organize an African American Studies Program at Trenton State Prison. The program taught people about Black history and culture.
Doughtry Long also worked with the Poetry in the Schools program in New York City. He was also linked with the Trenton Writers Guild.
These projects gave more people a chance to learn, write, and take part in poetry.
Doughtry Long as Nia Long’s Father
Doughtry Long was the father of actress Nia Long. She is known for films and shows such as Boyz n the Hood, Love Jones, Soul Food, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
After his death, Nia spoke about his life and work. She described him as a writer, teacher, mentor, and important person in his community.
She also said their relationship had difficult parts. Nia shared that there were things she wished her father had done when she was young.
As she grew older, she said she understood him better. She also spoke about forgiving him for things he could not give her.
After Doughtry Long died, Nia spent time in Trenton. She learned more about the effect he had on former students and local people.
This helped her see more of his work outside their family. She saw how much people in the city respected him.
Doughtry Long’s Other Daughters
Doughtry Long had three daughters. They were Lori Rambough, Nia Long, and Djamila McRae.
Lori Rambough is better known as comedian Sommore. This means Nia Long and Sommore share the same father.
Djamila McRae was also named in family tributes after Doughtry’s death. Less public information is available about her life.
After their father died, Nia named both Lori and Djamila in a tribute. She said the sisters were thankful they had been with him near the end of his life.
Doughtry Long’s Personal Interests
Doughtry Long had several interests outside work. Jazz was one of the most important.
At some poetry readings, jazz musicians performed with him. This mixed two parts of his life: poetry and music.
He also enjoyed fishing, photography, travel, and food. People in Trenton remembered him for many different interests.
Nia Long later said she wished she had gone fishing with her father. It was one of the personal memories she shared after his death.
Doughtry Long’s Death
Doughtry Long died on January 27, 2020. He was 77 years old.
His family and community shared tributes after his death. Nia Long posted photos and messages in his memory.
Trenton Central High School also honored him through poetry. Some of his former students took part in the tribute.
Nia said the event was very emotional for her. The stories from former students showed how much her father had meant to people in Trenton.
A public event to honor his life was also planned in the city. Many former students and writers shared memories of his work.
Doughtry Long’s Legacy
Doughtry Long left a strong mark through teaching and writing. He spent more than 30 years helping students read, write, and share their ideas.
Many former students said he gave them confidence. He encouraged them to write poems, publish their work, and attend poetry events.
His own poetry also became part of his legacy. His work appeared in books, journals, and poetry collections.
Long also supported learning outside schools. His work included prison education, writing groups, poetry programs, and community events.
Many people know Doughtry Long as Nia Long and Sommore’s father. In Trenton, he was also known as a teacher, poet, writer, and mentor.
His work continued through the students and writers he helped during his life.
Interesting Facts About Doughtry Long
- Doughtry “Doc” Long Jr. was born on March 14, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia.
- He grew up in Trenton, New Jersey, where he later became a well-known teacher and poet.
- He worked in education for more than 30 years.
- Long taught literature and creative writing at Trenton Central High School.
- He founded the Phoenix Literary Magazine for student writers.
- He earned a master’s degree in Urban Studies from Trenton State College.
- He worked with the Peace Corps in West Africa.
- Long helped organize an African American Studies Program at Trenton State Prison.
- His poetry appeared in several literary journals and collections.
- His books included Black Love Black Hope, Timbuktu Blues, Song for Nia, and Rules for Cool.
- He received the Broadside Press Award for Poetry.
- He also received a fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
- Jazz was one of his main interests, and musicians sometimes joined his poetry readings.
- He was the father of actress Nia Long and comedian Sommore.
- Doughtry Long died on January 27, 2020, at age 77.
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Celebrity
Who Is Rishia Haas? The Story Of Andrew Zimmern’s Former Wife
Rishia Haas is an American administrative professional who is widely known as Andrew Zimmern’s former wife. The couple met in Minnesota before Andrew became a major TV star. They later married and had a son named Noah. Their marriage ended after many years.
There is a lot of information about Rishia Haas online. Some details are not well proven. This article focuses on the facts that are better supported.
Andrew had already started his recovery years before he met Rishia. So, her work in this field should not be linked to the start of his sobriety.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rishia Haas |
| Known For | Former wife of Andrew Zimmern |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Minnesota is widely reported; exact birthplace is not firmly confirmed |
| Date of Birth | Not reliably confirmed |
| Education | Reportedly attended Anoka High School and Augsburg College |
| Profession | Administrative professional |
| Reported Work Field | Addiction recovery and support services |
| Reported Workplace | The Retreat |
| Other Reported Workplace | Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation |
| Former Husband | Andrew Zimmern |
| Andrew Zimmern’s Profession | Chef, writer, TV host, and food personality |
| First Meeting | Reportedly around 1999 |
| Where They Met | A cooking school in Minnesota |
| Marriage Year | 2002 |
| Commonly Reported Wedding Date | December 26, 2002 |
| Children | One |
| Son | Noah Zimmern |
| Son’s Birth Year | 2005 |
| Separation | Became public in 2018 |
| Length of Marriage | About 16 years before separation |
| Notable Public Appearance | 2015 James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago |
| Current Relationship Status | No reliable public information confirms a new marriage |
| Current Career | Not clearly confirmed publicly |
| Net Worth | Not reliably confirmed |
| Public Profile | Limited |
Rishia Haas’s Early Life
Rishia Haas has strong ties to Minnesota. Several reports say she grew up there. She also met Andrew Zimmern in the state.
Her exact date of birth is not clearly confirmed. Different websites give different dates and years.
Some websites also list names for her parents and siblings. These details are not backed by strong public records.
Rishia was not a public figure before meeting Andrew. Little verified information is available about her early years.
Rishia Haas’s Education
Several reports say Rishia Haas went to Anoka High School in Minnesota. There is little public information about her school years.
She is also said to have studied at Augsburg College, now called Augsburg University. The school is in Minneapolis.
There is no clear public record of her degree, subject, or graduation year. These details should not be added without proof.
Her later work was mainly in office and support roles.
Rishia Haas’s Career
Rishia Haas has been linked to several office jobs. Her work was separate from Andrew Zimmern’s TV career.
One reported job was at The Retreat in Minnesota. Some profiles say she worked there as an admissions coordinator.
She has also been linked to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Reports say she worked there in an office role.
There is little reliable public information about her current job in 2026.
Some websites say Rishia helped Andrew become sober. The timeline does not support this. Andrew entered treatment in 1992. Rishia reportedly met him around 1999.
How Rishia Haas Met Andrew Zimmern
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern reportedly met around 1999 in Minnesota. Their first meeting was linked to a cooking school.
Andrew was teaching cooking classes there. Rishia reportedly worked in a store connected to the school.
They later started dating. This was before Andrew became famous through Bizarre Foods.
At that time, Andrew was already working in food. His biggest TV success came years later.
Rishia knew Andrew before his heavy travel and TV work became a major part of his life.
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern’s Marriage
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern married in 2002. December 26 is often listed as their wedding date.
They had been together for several years before the marriage.
In 2006, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern began airing. The show took Andrew to many places around the world.
His work required a lot of travel. Andrew later said that his busy career affected the time he gave to his wife and son.
Rishia also joined Andrew at some public events. In May 2015, they attended the James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago.
By this time, Andrew’s work had become a major part of their family life. He later spoke about how that pressure affected their marriage.
Rishia Haas and Her Son Noah
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern have one son, Noah Zimmern. He was born in 2005. Noah was still young when Andrew’s TV career became very busy.
Andrew often had to travel for work. This meant family time could be hard to manage. He later spoke about how his work affected both his wife and son.
There is not much public information about Noah. Most details about his life have stayed out of the media. He is mainly known because of his parents.
Rishia Haas’s Public Appearances
Rishia Haas was seen with Andrew at a few public events during their marriage. One of the clearest examples came in May 2015.
The couple attended the James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago. They walked the red carpet together and were photographed at the event.
These public appearances were not very common. Rishia was never known for building a public career of her own. Most news about her came through her marriage to Andrew.
How Andrew Zimmern’s Fame Affected Their Family
Andrew Zimmern became very well known after Bizarre Foods became a hit. His work took him to many countries. He also had to spend long periods away from home.
Andrew later said that his fame had a real effect on his family. In one interview, he said people had pushed past his wife and son just to reach him.
He also admitted that he was not there enough for Rishia and Noah. He said his work and public life took too much of his time.
These comments give a clear reason why family life became hard. The problem was not one single event. It was the pressure of travel, work, and fame over many years.
Why Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern Divorced
Rishia Haas and Andrew Zimmern separated after about 16 years of marriage. In 2018, reports said they were moving toward an amicable divorce.
Andrew later took responsibility for his part in the breakup. He said he had not been there enough for his wife and son. He also said Rishia had given him many chances to fix things.
There is no strong public proof of a major scandal behind the split. The clearest reason comes from Andrew’s own words about work and family life.
By early 2020, reports said the divorce had been completed. After that, Rishia and Andrew went on with their lives separately.
Rishia Haas After the Divorce
After the divorce, Rishia Haas became even less visible in public. There have been very few reliable updates about her personal life.
Some websites have made claims about where she lives and what she does now. However, many of these details are not backed by strong sources.
There is also no reliable public record showing that she remarried. The safest point is that her life after the divorce has remained mostly private.
Her current work is also not clearly known. As of 2026, there is little verified public information about her job or daily life.
Rishia Haas’s Net Worth and Private Details
Many celebrity websites give a net worth figure for Rishia Haas. Some claim that she is worth millions of dollars.
There is no strong public record that proves these numbers. Her income, savings, and other financial details have not been made public.
The same care is needed with details like her exact height, weight, birthday, and full family history. Different websites often give different answers.
For this reason, these details should not be treated as facts unless a strong source confirms them. A useful biography should focus on what is known, not on guesses.
Facts About Rishia Haas
- Rishia Haas is best known as the former wife of chef and TV host Andrew Zimmern.
- She reportedly met Andrew around 1999 at a cooking school in Minnesota.
- Andrew taught cooking classes, while Rishia worked at a store linked to the school.
- Rishia and Andrew married in 2002.
- They have one son, Noah Zimmern, who was born in 2005.
- Rishia was married to Andrew during the rise of his hit TV show Bizarre Foods.
- She attended the 2015 James Beard Foundation Awards with Andrew in Chicago.
- Rishia has been linked to office and support work in the addiction recovery field.
- She has been reported to work with The Retreat and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
- Andrew began his own recovery long before meeting Rishia. He entered Hazelden on January 28, 1992.
- Their separation became public in 2018 after about 16 years of marriage.
- Andrew later said that his busy career and time away from home had hurt his family life.
- Rishia has shared very little about her life since the divorce.
- Her exact birth date, current job, and personal finances are not reliably confirmed.
- Online claims about a multimillion-dollar net worth should not be treated as verified facts.
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