Hollywood loves a "forever" story, and for nearly three decades, we all thought Blair Underwood and Desiree DaCosta were the blueprint. They were that couple. The one you’d see on every red carpet from the '90s through the 2010s, looking effortlessly poised and genuinely happy. When they announced their split in 2021, it didn't just make headlines—it actually kind of shook the people who had followed Blair's career since his L.A. Law days.
Honestly, finding out about Blair Underwood first wife and the end of their 27-year marriage felt like the end of an era. It wasn't one of those messy, tabloid-fueled explosions. It was quiet. It was respectful. And in a way, that made it even more surprising.
Who Exactly Is Desiree DaCosta?
While Blair was the one in front of the camera, Desiree DaCosta was a powerhouse behind the scenes. She wasn't just "the wife" on his arm. She had her own lane in the industry long before they tied the knot in 1994.
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Back in the late '80s and early '90s, she was working closely with comedy royalty. She served as an executive assistant to Eddie Murphy during the height of his fame. If you look at the credits for films like Harlem Nights (1989), Another 48 Hours (1990), and Boomerang (1992), you’ll see her name right there. She was a talent planner, a coordinator, and someone who understood the gears of Hollywood.
She also happens to be a woman of many talents that she mostly kept private. People who know her well have mentioned she’s a gifted singer and has a killer sense of humor. She even did some stand-up comedy back in the day. But for the most part, once her family started growing, she stepped back from the grind of the industry to focus on being a mom.
The Marriage That Defined Decades
Blair and Desiree got married on September 17, 1994. At the time, Blair was a certified heartthrob. He could have dated anyone, but he chose a woman who had been by his side as he navigated the transition from TV star to movie lead.
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Throughout their marriage, they welcomed three children:
- Paris, their eldest son (born around 1997).
- Brielle, their only daughter (born around 1999).
- Blake, their youngest son (born around 2001).
They lived a relatively private life in Los Angeles, far away from the "party" scene. Blair often credited Desiree for being the backbone of the family. In fact, he famously told Page Six that she was the one who pushed him to take the role of Dr. Robert Leeds on Sex and the City. He was hesitant, but she knew it was a career-defining move. She saw the vision when he didn't.
Why the Split Was So Shocking
In May 2021, a joint statement appeared on Instagram that basically broke the internet (at least the celeb-news part of it). They announced they were ending their marriage.
"After a tremendous amount of thought, prayer & work on ourselves individually & collectively, we have come to the conclusion to end our marriage that began 27 years ago."
They called it a "beautiful journey" and emphasized that their children were their proudest achievement. There was no mention of infidelity, no legal battles over money, and no drama. It felt like two people who had simply grown into different versions of themselves over 30 years and decided to walk different paths.
The Josie Hart Connection
A lot of people started side-eyeing the situation when Blair announced his engagement to his long-time friend Josie Hart just about a year after the divorce was finalized. People love to jump to conclusions, but Blair was pretty transparent about it.
He’d known Josie for 43 years. They met when they were 16. She had been a platonic friend through his entire marriage to Desiree. It wasn't until both were single and "embarked on a new chapter" that the friendship turned into something else. They got married in a gorgeous ceremony in the Dominican Republic in June 2023.
Some fans felt it was "too soon," but Blair described it as a "41-year friendship that slapped him in the back of the head." Life moves fast when you're in your late 50s, I guess.
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Where Is Desiree DaCosta Now?
Desiree has stayed true to her nature: she’s living life off the radar. She doesn't have a public Instagram. She isn't doing tell-all interviews. From everything we know, she continues to be a devoted mother and maintains a "best friends" relationship with Blair for the sake of their kids.
She’s a reminder that you can be part of a high-profile Hollywood couple and still keep your dignity and privacy intact when things end.
Lessons from Their Transition
- Longevity isn't the only metric of success: 27 years is a lifetime. Just because a marriage ends doesn't mean it "failed." It just finished its course.
- Keep the kids first: Both Blair and Desiree have been vocal about co-parenting their now-adult children with "utmost respect."
- Behind-the-scenes power: Desiree’s career proves that the most influential people in a star’s life are often the ones the public rarely sees.
If you're looking for more details on the family's current status, you can follow Blair’s official social media, though don't expect to see much of Desiree there. She’s moved on to her next act, and she’s doing it on her own terms.
To get a better sense of Blair's career during their marriage, you can look up his filmography from 1994 to 2021, which includes standout performances in Set It Off, Deep Impact, and Dear White People. You'll see a man who was clearly supported by a strong partner every step of the way.