Who is Sonya Nicole Hamlin, Idris Elba’s Ex-wife?

Sonya Nicole Hamlin is the ex-wife of Idris Elba, an English actor, producer, and musician. The two were married in 2006 but reportedly separated and had their marriage annulled within a few months. Hamlin is an American property lawyer who was born in 1974.

Being romantically attached to a popular person can shoot even the most reserved person into the public eye, and this is what happened to Sonya. However, it is noteworthy that even though she came into the limelight due to her marriage and subsequent divorce from Idris Elba, Sonya Nicole Hamlin is her own woman.

She runs a flourishing business and is very confident in her abilities to thrive. Long before meeting Elba, she had built an enviable law practice and was doing very well for herself. Today, she remains an ambitious, strong-willed woman.

Summary of Sonya Nicole Hamlin’s Biography 

  • Full Name: Sonya Nicole Hamlin
  • Gender: Female
  • Date of Birth: 1974
  • Sonya Nicole Hamlin’s Age: 50 years old
  • Nationality: American
  • Sexual Orientation: Straight
  • Religion: Christianity
  • Marital Status: Divorced
  • Sonya Nicole Hamlin’s Net Worth: $2 Million
  • Famous For: Being Idris Elba’s ex-wife

How Old is Sonya Nicole Hamlin?

Sonya Nicole Hamlin is 50 years old in 2024. She was born in the year 1974. However, details about the exact day and month she was born remain vague. From the information we gathered, the lawyer was born in Maryland, a state in the USA. It was also here that she grew up with her family.

Very little information is available about Sonya’s background and family members. This is mainly because of the fact that she is a private person who rarely grants interviews. Therefore, information about who her parents are or what they do for a living is not known. Also, it is not clear if she is an only child or if she grew up with some siblings in Maryland.

Sonya Nicole Hamlin
Sonya Nicole Hamlin and Idris Elba

She Studied Law in Washington and London

After finishing her high school education in the USA, Sonya Nicole Hamlin relocated from the USA to live in Notting Hill, London, where she stayed for some time. It is not clear what schools she attended, but from reports we gathered, Sonya studied law while she was in London. She majored in property law.

She later went back to the USA and attended another school in Washington, where she furthered her law studies. It was after this that she began practicing law in the United States. Sonya has since established herself as a property lawyer of note and is doing very well for herself.

She is a Huge Fan of Boxing

At some point in her life, Sonya Nicole Hamlin took an interest in boxing and became a huge fan of the sport. She seized every opportunity to watch boxers engage each other in bouts and had lots of boxers she admired.

The lawyer also admits that she loves it when boxers weigh in before the main fight. According to her, the aggression on each boxer’s face, as well as their ripped bodies, always gripped her attention, and she loved every bit of the show.

Sonya Nicole Hamlin First Met Idris Elba in 2006

Sonya Nicole Hamlin and Idris Elba first met each other in 2006. Sonya was about 32 years old, while Idris was about 34 at the time. During this period, the actor, who began his career in 1994, was quite popular, having starred in different successful films and series, including Dangerfield and The Wire. 

On her own part, Sonya was also doing very well at the time for herself. She was already an accomplished and ambitious lawyer who had a flourishing law practice in Maryland. So, it was a case of two ambitious, successful people coming together.

Sonya and Elba first met at a public function in 2006 and were introduced by a mutual friend at a public gathering. When they first saw each other, they quickly took interest in each other’s tastes and got talking. In an interview that she granted Daily Mail in 2016, Sonya explained that even though they were in a crowded place, they felt some chemistry between them. According to her, Elba was not shy when he got talking to her and she was not shy either, so they connected smoothly.

Even though Idris Elba was already quite popular at the time, Sonya revealed that she didn’t really know who he was. She had seen The Wire but couldn’t recollect his face as the star actor in the series. So, she didn’t fall for him at first sight because of his star power or his fame. She only got drawn to him because of his charm and simplicity when they were introduced to each other.

After their first meeting that night, they continued being in touch and soon started dating.

Theirs was a Super-Hot Romance

When Sonya Nicole Hamlin and Idris Elba began to date, they went at it with earnest zeal and pure passion. All their friends knew that they had both found something truly special in each other. They became inseparable and were always in each other’s company. They were so head-over-heels in love that they moved in together in Maryland shortly after they began to date.

Sonya was sure she had found her soulmate. She told Daily Mail that she was completely in love with Iris Elba, and he was in love with her too. They went on normal dates, ate dinners at fancy restaurants, and saw countless movies together. They also used to have so much fun in the house, sometimes inviting friends over.

She explained that Elba was a great cook, and anytime they were home together, he would try some magic with his culinary skills in the kitchen. She also revealed if they woke on a Sunday morning, they would go out to brunch or stay at home and make breakfast with Elba, making her very happy with his cooking.

Even though he was a famous actor who was always the center of attraction, Elba loved staying indoors at night when he was with her so they could have lots of quality time together. They would listen to music together, talk at length, and have lots of fun. They also traveled to places and created several sweet memories.

Sonya and Elba were so smitten with each other that they used to coordinate their outfits when they dressed for outings. They were so comfortable in each other’s company. It was clear to all who saw and knew them that the couple was made for each other.

Her Decision to Become Idris Elba’s Wife was Spontaneous

On the 8th of April, 2006, after some months of a whirlwind romance, Sonya Nicole Hamlin and Idris Elba decided to jet off to Las Vegas, Nevada, to watch a highly anticipated boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jnr. and Zab Judah. Just like we have mentioned before, Sonya is a big fan of boxing, and her boyfriend Elba was taking her to the highly anticipated boxing match as a treat.

While in Las Vegas, they decided to go hang out by a pool. They were relaxing on sun loungers early in the day when Elba suddenly asked her to elope with him for a secret marriage the following day. The request took her by surprise a little bit. Speaking with Daily Mail, she explained that they didn’t go to Las Vegas with plans on getting married but only watch a boxing match, so it caught her off guard.

However, she was not too taken aback by it because they had already talked about marriage before and had even talked about how they would want to keep it plain and simple. And since they had been together for several months already, she thought about it and knew it was just right for them to get married. They decided to get married the next day and spend the rest of their lives together.

Their marriage certificate is pictured here

Their Only Wedding Guest Was A Complete Stranger

The next day, the couple went to a jewelry store in the hotel where they were staying, and Idris Elba bought her a beautiful diamond ring. She explained that it was not cheap and the actor was generous to get her an expensive ring. She was ecstatic, and they were both full of enthusiasm.

After getting the ring, the two lovers got into a taxi and went to the courthouse, where they picked up a marriage license. After that, they headed straight for the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, where they had their wedding. Sonya explained that it took them several hours to get there, but they were so excited that they didn’t notice.

When they eventually got to the Little White Wedding Chapel, they exchanged their vows as the sun set. The interesting thing about the wedding was that it was so secret that apart from the wedding officiant who joined them together as husband and wife, the only other wedding guest was a complete stranger who was later identified as an estate agent called Daniel Krastev. The couple even had to persuade him to serve as a witness before he agreed to it.

After their wedding, they went back to their hotel and called their parents to inform them of the development. After that, they proceeded to have some celebration inside their suite. They had dinner, chocolates, and champagne overlooking the Vegas Strip. After that, they hastily arranged a honeymoon and flew to Jamaica to have an awesome time together. They kept their nuptials a secret from many people before they told their friends about the development.

Why Sonya Nicole Hamlin’s Marriage To Idris Elba Fell Apart

For the first few weeks after their marriage, Sonya Nicole Hamlin and Idris Elba continued their seamless romance and were excited for the future ahead of them as a married couple. However, before long, things fell apart for them as they began having some difficulties that eventually tore them apart.

At the time, Idris Elba was feeling the pull of Hollywood and frantically searching for new movie roles. The pressure became so intense on their new marriage, especially because Elba had to go live in California to keep his career buzzing while Sonya was tied to her law practice in Maryland. The distance between them became almost unbearable as both man and wife became too occupied with work.

Elba Was Told His Career Was At Stake

Apart from the fact that they were so caught up with work and were separated by distance, Sonya Nicole Hamlin told Daily Mail that her marriage to Idris Elba faced another hurdle when the actor was swayed by his friends and other industry figures to dump her. According to her, people were telling him that he was going to ruin his career if he stayed married.

At the time, Idris Elba was viewed by many as a sex symbol in Hollywood, and his friends believed that marriage would ruin that symbol and ultimately drag his reputation to the ground. They explained to him that it was an important part of his image to be a single sex symbol in Hollywood, and being married would damage that. Some also told him that it was better to have a super-hot young woman by his side rather than a property lawyer who was not so attractive.

In the end, Idris Elba began to listen to the many voices speaking to him, and it began to affect their marriage. Their level of communication was reduced, and they realized they had serious problems on their hands. Sonya revealed that one day, they got together in Maryland to talk about the situation, and they decided just to call it quits and file for a divorce.

Sonya Nicole Hamlin and Idris Elba’s Marriage Lasted For Only Six Weeks

A very startling fact about the marriage between Sonya Nicole Hamlin and Idris Elba is that the union lasted for only six weeks. According to Sonya, six weeks after they got married, they met and decided to divorce. She explained that they were very sad about what they were about to do, but they also knew that it was the best thing for them to do at the time. So they went ahead with it.

Sonya consequently filed a divorce in Maryland. However, the request was not granted because the law in the state specifies that marriages have to last at least one year before a divorce can take place. Being a lawyer herself, Sonya decided to pursue the case further and decided to file for divorce in Nevada. But even in Nevada, they faced some problems with the divorce proceedings, so she had to claim that she was drunk on her wedding day and was not aware of what was really going on.

With this, the wedding between Sonya Nicole Hamlin and Idris Elba was finally dissolved.

The Former Couple Remain, Friends,

Sonya Nicole Hamlin claims that she and Idris Elba are still friends and that they still talk once in a while. She explained that what they shared was too special for both of them, and they still treasure memories from when the romance lasted.

She also explained that, even though she was hurt, she only wished him well because she is not a jealous person who would wish an ex-lover bad. She also hopes he finds real love even amidst the bustle of Hollywood.

Has Sonya Found Love Again?

After she parted ways with Idris Elba, things fell apart for her, even in business. According to her, her business took a huge plunge in the recession and left her feeling really horrible, considering the fact she had just broken up with the love of her life at the time. It was a double blow for her. Because of this, she didn’t date anyone for years.

However, the business has since picked up again for her, and she is back to her more prosperous days. Her law practice is thriving once again. She also revealed in her interview with Daily Mail that she has found love again and is in a good relationship with someone. However, she refused to reveal the identity of her love.

Today, the lawyer still remains a very private person and is not even on any social media platform.

Who is Idris Elba’s First Wife?

Idris Elba’s first wife is Hanne Nørgaard, an American makeup artist and businesswoman. She and Idris got married in 1999 and divorced in 2003. Their union produced a daughter named Isan, born in 2002. Their daughter is in her early 20s and is pursuing a career as an actress and model. Idris and Hanne Nørgaard are said to be on good terms and co-parent amicably.

Who is Idris Elba’s Current Wife?

Idris Elba’s current wife is  Sabrina Dhowe Elba. She is a Canadian model, activist, and businesswoman and is of Somali descent. She is passionate about tackling issues faced by rural women and girls. Idris and Sabrina began dating in 2017 and tied the knot in a destination wedding in Morocco in 2019.

FAQs about Sonya Nicole Hamlin

Who is Sonya Nicole Hamlin?

Sonya Nicole Hamlin is the second ex-wife of Idris Elba, the popular actor. She is an American property lawyer.

What Happened To Sonya Nicole Hamlin?

Sonya Nicole Hamlin suffered a blow to her career after divorcing Idris Elba, but she was able to bounce back. She has also found love again.

What is Sonya Nicole Hamlin Doing Now?

Sonya Nicole Hamlin continues to run a real estate law practice in Maryland. She is also said to have found love again.

How Tall is Sonya Nicole Hamlin?

Sonya Nicole Hamlin is 5 feet 7 inches or 170 cm tall as of 2024.

What is Sonya Nicole Hamlin’s Net Worth?

Sonya Nicole Hamlin’s net worth is $2 million as of 2024 and she made the same from her lucrative practice as a lawyer focusing on the real estate sector.

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