Look inside Kerry Washington's Life Story: Childhood, Parents, Husband, Kids, Rise to Fame

As one of Hollywood's most celebrated leading ladies, Kerry Washington has enjoyed critical acclaim, but her personal life and upbringing remain a mystery to many.

Kerry Washington is undoubtedly a force to reckon with in Hollywood. The actress who gained critical acclaim for her role as Olivia Pope in the political thriller, "Scandal" has victoriously conquered film and television with several Emmy nominations to her name.

However, with all the success and fame, Washington has managed to live a well-rounded wife with a seven-year union with Nnamdi Asomugha blessed with two kids. Keep reading to find out about her life story.

CHILDHOOD, EDUCATION, AND RISE TO FAME

Kerry Marisa Washington was born on January 31, 1977, in The Bronx, New York City. Her father was a real estate broker while her mother is an education consultant and professor.

The "American Son" star was inclined toward entertainment as a kid and began ballet lessons at a young age. However, her first career choice was to work with Shamu at SeaWorld and feed whales.

Washington initiated her journey to fame during her time in the Manhattan private school, Spence School, where she joined the theatre group. Afterward, she bagged a theatre scholarship at George Washington University performance studies.

The Award-Winning actress made her debut in the 2000 film "Our Song", followed by an appearance in "Save the Last Dance."

She earned critical acclaim for her performance in other movies like "Ray," "Bad Company," and "The Last King of Scotland." However, her breakout role didn't come until 2012 when she bagged the ruthless crisis expert management Olivia Pope in the ABC series, "Scandal."

For her performance, she received a Golden Globe nomination alongside two Emmy nods.

HER PRIVATE MARRIAGE WITH NNAMDI ASOMUGHA

Washington has been happily married to former NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha for seven wonderful years but has managed to keep their union quite lowkey. Once explaining her decision to keep things private, the actress said:

"I have girlfriends in this business who talk about their personal lives, and it works for them, and I love it. But not for me. I learned through experience that it doesn't work for me to talk about my personal life."

While much is unknown about them, the lovebirds first met when Nnamdi watched Kerry on Broadway during a performance in the play, "Race."

The duo connected instantly with Asomugha, and in 2013 they tied the knot, welcoming their two kids in subsequent years.

The couple also has a shared love of philanthropy, with the former player being the founder of the Asomugha Foundation, which helps underprivileged kids in the US and Africa. Washington has also been involved with several causes for domestic violence.

KERRY IS A PROUD MOTHER-OF-THREE

Washington and Asomugha welcomed their first biological child, Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha, on April 21, 2014.

During an interview with Oprah Winfrey for her "SuperSoul Conversations" podcast, the actress took Isabelle along. At the time, the tot was two years old, and when asked how motherhood has affected her, the actress replied, "she's my teacher."

Washington gave birth to her second child, Caleb Kelechi Asomugha, who is now 4, in 2016. The "Little Fires Everywhere" star also helps raise Asomugha's 14-year-old daughter, whose name is unknown. She once corrected an interviewer who addressed her as a mother-of-two, saying, "I am a mother of three."

PARENTING HER KIDS IN THE PANDEMIC

Like many parents, Washington has had to deal with the challenges of working from home while homeschooling three kids during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, for the "Django Unchained" actress, she has had to juggle all that while teaching her children about race due to the ongoing racial injustice plaguing the nation. Speaking about it to People Magazine, she said:

"My kids range from ages 3 to 14, so it's different conversations with different folks. We're actually doing lots of studying of Africa at home right now."

Despite the trying times around the world, Washington is determined to let her kids see black identity "outside the context of struggle."