For millions of viewers, Sheryl Underwood is known for her quick humor, candid personality, and years on The Talk. Away from the cameras, however, Underwood has lived through a personal loss that has stayed with her for more than three decades.
The Emmy-winning television host was married to Michael Sparkman, a former military serviceman. Their time together was cut short in August 1990 when her then-husband, Sparkman, died by suicide just three years after they exchanged vows. The tragedy left Underwood grieving at a young age and changed the course of her personal life in ways that still resonate decades later.
Here is a closer look at Underwood’s marriage to Sparkman, the heartbreaking loss that followed, and why the television star has chosen to embrace life on her own terms ever since.
She Was Married to Michael Sparkman Until His Death
Underwood and Michael Sparkman built their relationship long before they became husband and wife. After dating for seven years, the couple married in 1987.
Sparkman worked as a chef and, according to Underwood, struggled with severe clinical depression during their relationship. Their marriage lasted only three years before tragedy struck in August 1990 when Sparkman died by suicide.
Over the years, Underwood has spoken candidly about the loss and the lasting impact it had on her life. She once recalled seeing her husband off to work after baking him a German chocolate cake, unaware it would be their final goodbye.
The deeply personal chapter returned to public discussion decades later after jokes about Sparkman’s death were made during Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart. The remarks quickly sparked backlash online and reignited conversations about the boundaries of comedy when dealing with personal tragedy.
Although Underwood largely remained composed throughout the controversy and defended the broader principle of free speech in comedy, she also acknowledged that the jokes crossed a line. Rather than focus on the comedians themselves, she used the attention to encourage a conversation about mental health awareness.
“If you’re going to go against my husband taking his life, let’s talk about mental health awareness,” Underwood said while addressing the controversy.
Post-Dating Life and Thoughts on Marriage
More than three decades have passed since Sparkman’s death, and Sheryl Underwood has never remarried. While she has remained open to the possibility of finding love again, she has also been clear that she is in no hurry to walk down the aisle.
Over the years, Underwood has shared her own views on what a future relationship might look like. Independence remains important to her, and she has joked that any future husband may need his own place to live. For Underwood, maintaining personal space is just as important as sharing a life with a partner.
At the same time, she has continued to speak openly about the impact losing her husband had on her life. The television personality has used her platform to raise awareness about suicide prevention and to support others who have experienced a similar loss.
During conversations on The Talk and in other public appearances, Underwood has acknowledged that the pain never fully disappears. She has explained that the unanswered questions and emotions surrounding a loved one’s suicide can stay with a person for years, even as life moves forward.
