A successful real estate lawyer by trade, Sonya Nicole Hamlin made a name for herself through her legal career and whirlwind romance with one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, Idris Elba. Known for his roles in “The Wire,” “Luther,” and blockbuster films, Elba has long been a fixture on “sexiest man alive” lists – making Hamlin’s brief time as his wife all the more intriguing to fans.
Their relationship captured public attention for its speed and intensity, culminating in a Las Vegas wedding in 2006 that surprised even those closest to them. But just six weeks later, the marriage was over, leaving the public and tabloids buzzing with speculation. While Hamlin has remained mainly out of the spotlight since, her short-lived union with Elba continues to spark curiosity. Many wonder what led to the abrupt split – was it the pressures of fame, clashing lifestyles or something more personal? Here’s everything we know.
Idris Elba Was Married Twice Before Settling Down With His Current Wife, Sabrina
Idris Elba met his first wife, Hanne “Kim” Nørgaard, when she worked as a makeup artist in London and he was an emerging actor. They married in 1999, when she was about 22 and he was about 27, and then moved together to New York to pursue their careers. Their daughter, Isan, was born in 2002. Idris and Hanne divorced in 2003, but maintained a respectful co-parenting relationship for Isan. Hanne continued her passion for beauty and launched her business, Makeup Your Mind, Inc. as founder and president.
Hanne kept her relationship with Idris on friendly terms after their split. They co-parented well and even celebrated Isan’s 16th birthday together. Hanne’s career gained momentum again after 2007 when she launched her beauty enterprise in Atlanta. She continued to work as a respected make-up artist and entrepreneur. She maintained a strong identity in the beauty world, independent of her ex-husband’s fame.
Idris met Sabrina Dhowre in 2017 at a jazz bar in Vancouver while he filmed “The Mountain Between Us.” “It was love at first sight,” Idris admitted to People magazine. He later proposed to Sabrina during a film screening in February 2018. They married in a lavish three-day Moroccan ceremony in April 2019, held in Marrakesh at Ksar Char Bagh. Their wedding radiated joy and cultural meaning. Idris and Sabrina nurture a deeply collaborative and loving marriage. They co-host the podcast “Coupledom” and co-launched the skincare brand S’ABLE Labs, built around clean, traceable ingredients and mutual purpose. They celebrated their fifth anniversary in April 2024 with heartfelt social-media tributes, glowing with affection and humor.
Who Is Sonya Nicole Hamlin?
Born on Jan. 1, 1974, in Glenn Dale, Maryland, Hamlin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from the University of Virginia. She later received a doctorate degree in law from the American University Washington College of Law. An accomplished property lawyer, she certainly earned her accolades.
It’s no surprise that Hamlin fell in love with an Englishman, given that she and her family moved to Notting Hill in London during her adolescence. Being partially raised in the United Kingdom, there wasn’t much of a cultural crossover to confront when she met her future husband.
Lawyer Met Elba at a Party in 2005 and They Wed in 2006
Hamlin and Elba met at a party through a mutual friend in late 2005, as Hamlin was still building up her career and practicing in a small office. Their love burned quickly and immediately, donning red carpets together as Elba’s acting career was in its early sproutings. They cited a few of their common interests to be in cooking, family and boxing.
By 2006, just around a year of knowing each other and eloping while attending a Floyd Mayweather boxing match in Vegas, Hamlin told the Daily Mail that the decision was certainly sporadic, sharing, “We didn’t go to Vegas with plans on getting married. We were just chilling on sun loungers early in the day by the pool. I was drinking a Mimosa, and we were talking, and we were both in a great mood. We had talked about marriage before and how we would want to keep it plain and simple. “
For Their Honeymoon, Sonya Nicole Hamlin and Her Groom Headed to Jamaica
None of their family nor friends attended the wedding, though that certainly wasn’t a concern for the eager couple as they jetted off for their last-minute honeymoon to Jamaica. Hamlin continued, “We had been together several months already, and knew it was right. We were both madly in love by then, and we were like, ‘Let’s just do it!’ We were both excited. It was a mutual decision.”
After Just Two Months of Marriage, the Newlyweds Called It Quits
Two months into their marriage, the couple quite suddenly called it quits, though it was reported to be an amicable process. With no kids between the two, the split was pretty seamless. Many rumors circulated that their separation may have been impacted by Elba’s blooming career and how it may not have been a good look to be married while being marketed as a heartthrob.
Hamlin was quoted as accusing Elba’s friends of their separation, sharing, “Some people used to say, ‘Why her?’ That’s what they were telling him. It used to upset him. He was like, ‘Why don’t people just let me be happy?’”
During her interview with The Mail, Hamlin opened up more about the heartbreak of the experience, saying, “It was very sad. Idris and I were madly in love, but he was getting a lot of flak for being married. Everyone was like, ‘Dude, you’re the hottest sex symbol!’ It wasn’t the right look. That’s what they were telling him. I wanted to save the marriage.”
While many painted Hamlin in an insecure light, it’s argued that she had a burgeoning legal career to nurture. The distance can also be blamed for breaking their short-lived marriage, as Hamlin was tied to her law practice in Maryland while Elba was hunting for roles in California.
Where Is Sonya Nicole Hamlin Now?
Due to the scrutiny following the dissolution of her marriage, Hamlin has relatively stayed out of the public eye. She opened her own firm, The Hamlin Legal Group, which helps clients protect their civil, artistic and intellectual property. Though the lawyer reportedly filed for bankruptcy in 2009, not much more is known about her current situation or relationship status.