Judith Ann Hawkins is a former psychiatric nurse who worked for the Cleveland VA hospital for more than three decades. She is also the mother of Halle Berry, one of the most successful and acclaimed actresses in Hollywood. But who is Judith Ann Hawkins, and what is her relationship with her famous daughter? Here are some facts about her life, career, and family.
Early Life and Education
Judith Ann Hawkins was born in 1939 in Sawley Derbyshire, England, but grew up in Elyria, Ohio, after she arrived in the states at 10. She is the daughter of Earl Ellsworth Hawkins, a captain of the Elyria Police Department, and Nellie Dicken, a native of Shardlow, Derbyshire, England. Judith has a mixed ethnic background, with English, German, Irish, and distant Dutch ancestry.
Judith was a cheerleader and the homecoming queen during high school. She graduated from Elyria High in 1957 and then attended MB School Of Nursing to study nursing.
Career as a Nurse
Judith worked as a psychiatric nurse for most of her professional life. She started her career at Elyria Memorial Hospital, where she worked for one year. Then she moved to the Cleveland VA hospital, where she met her future husband Jerome Jesse Berry. Judith served at the Cleveland VA hospital for more than 30 years, helping veterans with mental health issues.
Judith retired from her nursing career in the early 2000s and moved to the shore of Lake Erie, Ohio, where she lives a quiet life away from the media spotlight.
Marriage and Divorce with Jerome Jesse Berry
Judith married Jerome Jesse Berry, an African-American hospital attendant, in the early 1960s. They had two daughters together: Heidi Berry, born in 1964, and Halle Berry, born in 1966. However, their marriage was not a happy one, as Judith suffered from domestic violence at the hands of Jerome.
According to CelebSuburb, Judith’s ex-husband used to physically assault her almost every day in front of their daughters. He also kicked her downstairs and hit her with a wine bottle on her head. Halle Berry recalled witnessing her father’s abuse when she was only five years old.
Judith divorced Jerome when Halle was four years old and Heidi was six. She raised her daughters as a single mother and taught them to be independent and strong. Jerome died in 2003 from a brain tumor.
Relationship with Halle Berry
Judith has a close and supportive relationship with her younger daughter Halle Berry, who rose to fame as an actress and model. Judith encouraged Halle to pursue her dreams and helped her financially when she moved to New York City to start her acting career.
Halle has often praised her mother for being her role model and inspiration. She also credited her mother for giving her a sense of identity and confidence as a biracial woman. Halle said that Judith taught her to embrace both sides of her heritage and not let anyone define her by her skin color.
Halle has also defended her mother from critics who accused her of abandoning her black roots. Halle said that Judith was not ashamed of being white or having a black daughter. She said that Judith loved her unconditionally and gave her everything she needed.
Judith has appeared with Halle on several occasions, such as award shows, premieres, and charity events. She has also met Halle’s three ex-husbands: David Justice, Eric Benet, and Olivier Martinez. Judith is also the grandmother of Halle’s two children: Nahla Ariela Aubry and Maceo Robert Martinez.
Relationship with Heidi Berry
Judith’s relationship with her elder daughter Heidi Berry is not as close as with Halle. Heidi is a celebrity herself, as she is a singer-songwriter who goes by the stage name Heidi Berry-Henderson. She has released several albums and collaborated with artists like David Bowie and Seal.
However, Heidi has been estranged from Judith and Halle for many years. According to VergeWiki, Heidi blamed Judith for favoring Halle over her and neglecting her emotional needs. She also accused Judith of being racist towards Jerome and his family.
Heidi has also had a troubled life, as she struggled with drug addiction, homelessness, and mental illness. She has been arrested several times for various offenses, such as theft, assault, and trespassing. She has also been involved in several lawsuits against Halle and other celebrities.
Heidi has claimed that she wants to reconcile with Judith and Halle but they have rejected her attempts to contact them. She has also said that she loves them despite their differences and hopes that they can heal their wounds someday.
Net Worth
Judith’s net worth is not publicly known but it is estimated that she has a modest income from her retirement benefits and social security. She also owns a house in Ohio, where she lives.
Judith’s daughter Halle, on the other hand, has a net worth of $90 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She is one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood and has won several awards, including an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy. She is also a producer and a spokesperson for various brands.
Age
Judith is 83 years old as of 2022. She was born in 1939. Her daughter Halle is 55 years old as of 2021. She was born on August 14, 1966.