Barbara Smits (born November 27, 1955; died: April 16, 2010) was an American woman who was well-known as the former wife of Jimmy Smits, a Hollywood actor. They were married for seven years (1980 – 1987) before their divorce. Sadly, she died on April 16, 2010, from complications due to pneumonia at the age of 54.
Her ex-husband, Jimmy Smits, is a popular American screen actor. He is famous for starring as NYPD Detective Bobby Simone in NYPD Blue and as attorney Victor Sifuentes in L.A. Law.
Summary of Barbara Smits’ Biography
- Full name: Barbara Smits
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: November 27, 1955
- Date of death: April 16, 2010
- Age (at the time of death): 54 years old
- Ethnicity: Afro-American
- Nationality: American
- Education: Ithaca College
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Barbara Smits’ Ex-husband: Jimmy L. Smits
- Barbara Smits’ Children: Tiana Smits and Joaquin Smits
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Black
- Barbara Smits’ Net worth: $1 million
- Famous for: Being the ex-wife of Hollywood actor, Jimmy Smits
Barbara Smits was Born an Afro-American
Barbara Smits was born in the USA, but her native land is not known. Her birth took place on November 27, 1995. Thus, she used to celebrate her birthday every November 27. But she’s dead and can’t celebrate birthdays anymore. Moreso, Jimmy Smits’ former spouse was a Black American. She also had an American passport. From the evidence of her birthdate, Barbara Smits was a Sagittarian.
Former Mrs. Jimmy Smits lived a private life. She kept most of her information secret. Barbara has not spoken about her parents and relatives on camera or on social media. Therefore, there is no information about her folks, siblings, and relatives on the internet.
Similarly, there is no information about her childhood experiences, so we can’t say anything about her early days. Also, the public is not aware of the kind of neighborhood she grew up in, but she was raised in the United States.
Additionally, she has not said anything about her academic background, so we are uncertain about the elementary and high school she attended. Though she enrolled in Ithaca College in 1981, the public does not know when she graduated. Not just that, she never revealed her course of study in college to the public.
Barbara Smits Worked With CCE-NYC For Nearly Three Decades
The former celebrity wife gave her time and energy to Cornell Cooperative Extension – New York City (CCE-NYC). She relocated to New York City in 1982 to participate in the 4-H program, and after a while, she got promoted to a new role. She then worked as the executive secretary for the Environmental Issues Program Area.
As time went by, she progressed in her career, and in 2004, she became the assistant director-general of CCE-NYC. This was the position she held until she breathed last.
According to her former colleagues, she was full of smiles and worked hard. After 29 years in CCE-NYC, Barbara died in active service. To honor her, CCECEC launched the Barbara Smits Award of Merit.
Also, she earned a decent income from her job, but her alimony payment boosted her yearly income. As of the time of her death, she was worth about $1 million. However, her ex-husband, Jimmy Smits, is worth over $11 million.
At the moment, there is no information about any other source of income for Barbara Smits, and if there were, they are still unknown. Also, the total worth of her assets is not available to the general population.
Barbara Smits was Jimmy Smits’ First Wife
Before her death in 2010, Barbara Smits was known to be married once. It was a beautiful love story that began in high school as the late mother-of-two tied the knot with the American actor Jimmy Smits in 1980. Despite the strong connection, the former couple felt for each other before getting married, their union didn’t last long, as they went their separate ways after seven years.
As mentioned before, Barbara and Jimmy were high school lovers. There is so much unclarity about how long they dated, but they were together for a couple of years. They decided to get married in 1980. It has been reported that their wedding ceremony took place on June 10, 1980, but it is unclear what kind of event they had.
The Smits were parents of two children – a daughter, Taina Smits, who was born in 1973, and a son, Joaquin Smits, who was born in 1983. Taina Smits is currently married with a daughter; she works as a scriptwriter and teaches at Glasgow Middle School in Virginia. Joaquin, on the other hand, has taken after his father and works as an actor. He is also a businessman and VIP host.
Their Marriage Ended After Seven Years
After being married for seven years, Babara Smits’ husband filed for divorce in October 1987. At that time, he was already in another relationship with American actress Wanda De Jesus. Following the divorce, Barbara Smits moved to Brooklyn in New York with the children and continued with her career as she refused to remarry till her demise.
Barbara Smits’ ex-husband blamed the divorce on irreconcilable differences. Their divorce proceedings were completed by November 1987, but the court noticed that they stopped living together on March 15, 1986. The court also stated that Jimmy Smits did not ask for the custody of his children.
During the divorce proceedings, Jimmy ran into trouble with the police. While he lived with his new girlfriend, Wanda De Jesus, a neighbor at their Los Angeles home allegedly called the police because she suspected domestic abuse. However, when the police arrived, the actor and his girlfriend attacked them.
Consequently, Barbara Smits’ ex-husband and his lover were charged with disturbing the peace. While the former was fined $150 and subjected to 50 hours of community service as well as 18 months probation, the latter got 18 months probation and 75 hours of community service alongside a fine of $250.
Barbara Smits Passed on at the Age of 54 as a Result of Pneumonia
Barbara Smits, the ex-wife of the Primetime Emmy Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits, died on the 16th of April 2010 at the age of 54. The former assistant director-general had been diagnosed with lung disease, Pneumonia, and it was almost clear that her condition could not be salvaged. Thus, she died as a result of complications from pneumonia.
It has been 14 years since Barbara Smits’ death, but the loved ones she left behind are yet to fill the void she left in their hearts. Her daughter, Tiana Smits, explained that it has been difficult to accept her mom’s demise. So, she uniquely celebrates her mom every Mother’s Day. Also, she doesn’t skip expressing her love for her late mom every November 27 – her posthumous birthday.
