Grace Harry: Usher’s Ex-Wife, Mother of Two from a Previous Marriage, Now Dating Questlove, Born When Her Mother Was 17
Grace Harry first made headlines when news of her marriage to R&B legend Usher broke. The couple had a whirlwind romance that captivated fans all over the globe.
People wanted to learn how the couple met, what drew them together, and how they managed to keep their relationship a secret for so long. However, the fairy-tale romance was sadly short-lived. After only about three years together, Grace and Usher parted ways.
Even though Grace Harry has been in the entertainment industry for years, most fans don’t know much about her personal life. So, if you’d like to learn more about the former talent agent, I can help.
In this post, we explore her rise to fame, marriage, breakup, and second marriage.
Grace Harry’s Early Life
Grace Harry was born Grace Miguel on April 2, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York.
Her upbringing was a little tricky because Her dad was an activist who had a history of drug addiction and spent a couple of years in prison. Other than that, Her mother was pregnant at the age of 16 and gave birth when she was 17, putting her in that teen-parent situation.
That prompted the state to place Grace in foster care. The entrepreneur discussed her time under government guardianship in an interview with ThinkCommon.
She mentioned how she would move around from one foster home to the next until she was finally reunited with her mom a few years later.
Still, as inexperienced as her mother was, she did an excellent job raising her.
Note: We typically include parent names, but her mother’s name wasn’t in any search results we sought.
Grace attended Sunny Hill Elementary School, followed by Green Valley Middle School, graduating in 1990. She then went to Riverside High School, where she graduated in 1994.
However, in the 10th grade, she decided to drop out of high school to pursue her interests outside of traditional education.
Still, she returned to her studies and enrolled at Brooklyn College, earning a degree in Creative Arts in 1998.
Grace Harry’s Early Career
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Grace Harry began her career in the culinary industry, which laid the groundwork for her future ventures. After dropping out of high school, she joined a local catering company, where she started at the very bottom.
She kept struggling for a while, but her first big break came when she became the executive chef for The Cosby Show, one of the most popular television series of the 1980s.
She provided craft services while working on the show and interacted with notable figures like Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad.
Advancing Her Career
The Cosby Show ended in 1992, and Grace had to move on. She leveraged the connections she had made on the show to secure a position at MCA Records.
Once again, she found herself in an entry-level position. And yet again, she worked hard enough until she landed roles at Jive Records and Geffen Records, where she continued to build her reputation.
Eventually, Grace reached a significant milestone in her career by becoming the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services at Island Def Jam Records.
Becoming a Joy Strategist
With nearly 30 years of experience in the music industry, Grace sought a new challenge that would allow her to connect more personally with others. This led her to become a “joy strategist,” combining life coaching and personal development elements.
In this newly formed role, she helps clients rediscover happiness by engaging in activities that reconnect them with their inner child.
Grace has worked with high-profile clients, including Jay-Z and Lauryn Hill, who significantly impact their lives beyond traditional career management.
Grace Harry’s Marriage to Usher
Grace Harry and Usher’s relationship began in 2009. At that time, Grace was working as Usher’s manager, and their professional relationship quickly developed into a romantic one.
However, a few years later, things became more serious when Usher proposed to Grace in January 2015. Later that year, on September 3, 2015, they eloped in a private ceremony in Cuba.
The Short Marriage
Unfortunately, the challenges faced by Grace and Usher during their marriage ultimately led to their separation in March 2018. Several factors contributed to the strain in their relationship.
One significant issue was Grace’s desire to have children. On the other hand, Usher was reportedly not open to the idea of having more children.
Grace was married before her relationship with Usher. She had two children, Leaf and Raiden, from a previous relationship with René McLean.
Yet, she was eager to become a mother again. At the same time, Usher, who had two children from his previous marriage with Tameka Foster, was hesitant to take on that responsibility again.
Sources close to the couple revealed that this disagreement was a significant point of contention in their relationship, leading to constant arguments about their future.
It gets worse.
External pressures also added to their difficulties. In July 2017, allegations surfaced that Usher had been involved in a scandal related to sexually transmitted diseases. Reports claimed that he had passed herpes to several women, leading to lawsuits and public scrutiny.
These accusations put significant stress on their marriage, with insiders noting that they were “fighting non-stop” due to the headlines and rumors surrounding Usher.
In March 2018, they both gave up and got separated.
Grace Harry Now
Grace Harry is currently in a happy relationship but is not married. She is dating Ahmir Khalib Thompson, better known as Questlove, the drummer and frontman of the band The Roots.
Grace and Questlove began dating in 2020, and they have shared glimpses of their life, including a tour of their New York City apartment with People Magazine.
Grace Harry’s Net Worth
Grace Harry’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million as of 2024. Over the years, she has built her wealth through various successful ventures in the culinary and entertainment industries.
Final Thoughts
Grace Harry is an excellent example of how hard work and dedication work wonders. She started twice from the bottom yet managed to make a name for herself before marrying another celebrity and swimming in their fame.
She also didn’t stop her emotional life when her first marriage failed and continued to work hard until she found another happy relationship with Questlove. Also, with such a juicy network, we hope the future carries only the best for her.
