Gabrielle Union is mourning the loss of her father, Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr., sharing the news in an Instagram post on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
He passed away peacefully the morning before, on Friday, April 3, at 81.
In her message, the Bring It On star opened up about how hard those final years had been, describing them as “brutal” and a “painfully slow disappearing.” The illness gradually took away his strength, leaving him unable to walk or even swallow toward the end.
She admitted that no amount of understanding can prepare someone for that kind of loss, writing, “No matter how much you think you know about dementia, nothing prepares you for the painfully slow disappearing of your loved one.”
She called her dad a “perfectly imperfect man” who “never met a stranger,” and someone who shaped her values early on. From him came her strong work ethic and a clear belief that family holds everything together.
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Here’s a closer look at her parents and family background!
Gabrielle Union’s Parents Divorced After 30 Years of Marriage
Union was born to Sylvester E. Union, a military sergeant, and Theresa Glass, who worked as a phone company manager before moving into social work.
She spent her early life in Omaha, Nebraska, growing up in a Catholic household with her two sisters.
Much of how the model sees the world traces back to her mother. Gabrielle has spoken about learning independence at a young age, shaped by the way Theresa raised her. When Union was eight, her mother took her to a gay pride parade, introducing her early to the idea of acceptance and inclusion.
Years later, her parents went their separate ways after 30 years of marriage. Even so, Union has shared that they remained the first real example of support and partnership the actress had ever seen
She Has Two Sisters
Gabrielle Union grew up with two sisters, Kelly and Tracy, and their bond has remained close over the years.
Kelly keeps her life mostly out of the spotlight and lives in Arizona. She is a mother, and her son, Torren Union, plays collegiate football.
Tracy, on the other hand, stays closely involved in Gabrielle’s day-to-day life. Gabrielle has described her as the “glue” of the family. She lives with Gabrielle and Dwyane Wade, helping care for their children.
Family has always been a strong part of how they were raised, something that also comes from their mother, Theresa. Later in life, Theresa expanded that role even further. After turning 60, her mom adopted three more children—Keira, Miyonna, and Amari.
They are Gabrielle’s cousins by blood, the children of Theresa’s niece, and She brought them into her home to keep them within the family instead of entering the foster system.
