Rhonda McCullough, widow of comedian Bernie Mac, supported his rise to fame while enduring financial struggles.
After Bernie’s death in 2008, she remarried Horace Gilmore and now leads the Bernie Mac Foundation.
Rhonda is also a successful producer, author, and public speaker.
Her life continues to honor Bernie’s legacy while building her own impactful career.
Rhonda McCullough Quick Facts
| Full Name | Rhonda McCullough |
| Nick Name | Rhonda |
| Birthday | 1958 |
| Age | 67 years old |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Horoscope | |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | African-American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Education | Chicago Vocational High School |
| Father’s Name | |
| Mother’s Name | |
| Siblings | Charoni Gibbs |
| Half-Siblings | |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (1.68m) |
| Weight | 68kg (150 lbs) |
| Shoe Size | 7 |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Physique (Figure) | Plus |
| Married | Yes |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | Horace Gilmore |
| Ex-Husband | Late Bernie Mac |
| Son | |
| Daughter | Je’Niece McCullough |
| Profession | Businesswoman |
| Net Worth | $15 million (Bernie Mac’s Net Worth) |
| Social Media | @mcculloughgilmore |
The Love Story of Bernie Mac and Rhonda McCullough
Rhonda McCullough and Bernie Mac met in high school and became friends. At first, Rhonda didn’t feel any romantic interest in Bernie, even though many other girls admired him.
As they spent more time together, Rhonda began dating Bernie. She vividly recalled him saying, “You ain’t never seen nobody Black and pretty as me,” while patting his face.
After three years of dating, Bernie and Rhonda got married on September 17, 1977, at the age of 19. Rhonda was expecting their first child at the time.
Six months later, Bernie and Rhonda celebrated the birth of their daughter, Je’Niece Childress.
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They Lived On Food Stamps & Aid
Bernie and Rhonda built a strong relationship even when Bernie’s entertainment career was just starting.
Their solid bond helped them endure tough times, including relying on food stamps and government aid.
Rhonda supported Bernie’s dreams of becoming a successful comedian by working as a nurse to help sustain their family.
In 1990, Bernie’s perseverance paid off when he won the Miller Lite Comedy Search, marking the start of his rise to fame.
Despite his growing success, Bernie maintained a grounded lifestyle, always returning home after completing film or TV projects.
Rhonda reflected on how they avoided living in the spotlight and focused on their life together.
The couple’s marriage grew stronger as they overcame challenges together during their 15+ years as husband and wife.
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Bernie Passed Away In 2008
Rhonda McCullough remained by Bernie Mac’s side throughout his battle with sarcoidosis.
She supported him during the painful and difficult moments of his hospitalization.
She saw doctors insert a feeding tube, resuscitate him when his heart stopped, and witnessed Bernie’s struggle.
Bernie passed away on August 9, 2008, at the age of 50, due to complications from the disease. His death devastated Rhonda, as her life had revolved around Bernie since she was 16.
In a later interview, Rhonda shared how heartbreaking it was to lose her soulmate. She questioned her purpose and wondered how she would navigate life without him.
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Bernie and Rhonda’s Daughter Je’Niece McCullough
Bernie and Rhonda’s daughter, Je’Niece McCullough, was born on January 21, 1978, in Chicago, USA. She is 46 years old.
Je’Niece attended Morgan Park High School and graduated in 1995.
She went on to earn a B.S. in psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2000 and later completed a master’s degree in mental health counseling.
Je’Niece became a public speaker, writer, and philanthropist, gaining attention for her appearance on the Can We Talk podcast, where she discussed issues such as parental wounds and trauma.
After finishing her education, Je’Niece worked at The South Suburban Council, helping TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) participants achieve vocational goals.
She later served as Vice President of the Bernie Mac Sarcoidosis Foundation.
In 2002, Je’Niece married Theatris Childress III, and they had a daughter in 2005.
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How Je’Niece Remembers Bernie
Je’Niece was 30 years old when her father passed away. She cherishes her memories with Bernie and finds solace in the legacy he left behind.
To Je’Niece, Bernie Mac was both a father and a hero. She expressed pride in how his influence reaches far beyond their family, inspiring people worldwide.
Je’Niece finds it heartwarming to see her father celebrated as a cultural and comedic icon.
She remarked:
“It’s amazing to see how people look up to him and how he has become an integral part of pop culture history and a comedy icon.”
She added that her father would feel proud and happy knowing how much people celebrate his memory today.
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Bernie’s Wife, Rhonda McCullough Re-Married
After Bernie’s death, Rhonda McCullough met Horace Gilmore in 2009 through her sister Charoni.
Initially, Rhonda wasn’t interested in dating, but she and Horace quickly formed a connection.
They first met at a party hosted by one of Rhonda’s mother’s friends. Their first date lasted 13 hours, which made Rhonda believe God had brought Horace into her life.
During their conversations, Rhonda discovered that Horace had also lost his spouse, which deepened their understanding of each other.
Rhonda found humor in the fact that both Bernie and Horace couldn’t cook.
She happily took on the role of cooking for Horace and once surprised him with a meal of short ribs, macaroni and cheese, greens, sweet potatoes, and cornbread.
After dating for over a year, Rhonda and Horace got married in 2011.
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Rhonda McCullough: Biography, Age
Rhonda McCullough was born in 1958 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She is 67 years old.
Rhonda stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 68 kg.
She grew up with her younger sister, Charoni Gibbs, and attended Chicago Vocational High School, where she completed both elementary and high school education.
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Rhonda McCullough Career
Rhonda McCullough gained recognition as the author of The Teenage Liberation Handbook, which sold over 100,000 copies.
She also worked as a producer on notable projects, including Project Purple: Mission Sarcoidosis Awareness, I Ain’t Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac, and Unsung Hollywood.
As the CEO and president of the Bernie Mac Foundation, which her late husband established in 2007, Rhonda leads efforts to raise awareness about sarcoidosis and provide support to those affected.
In addition to her entertainment work, Rhonda excelled as a public speaker and won a speech competition organized by the International Toastmasters.
She also built a career in education, teaching English-related subjects.
Rhonda enjoys cooking and often prepared her late husband Bernie Mac’s favorite dishes.
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Bernie Mac – An Introduction
Bernie Mac was born on October 5, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Mary McCullough, raised him and his four siblings after experiencing a strained relationship with his father, Jeffrey Harrison.
Bernie endured significant loss early in life. His mother died of cancer in 1973 when he was 16 years old.
The following year, his brother died of a heart attack, and his father also passed away.
Despite these challenges, Bernie graduated from Chicago Vocational High School in 1975.
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How Did He Become Famous?
To support himself, Bernie worked as a janitor, coach, professional mover, Sears delivery man, furniture mover, and UPS agent.
On weekends, he performed stand-up comedy at events and clubs.
Bernie’s career surged in 1990 when he won the Miller Lite Comedy Search.
He gained further fame in the 1990s by appearing on Def Comedy Jam, an HBO series produced by Russell Simmons.
By the time he passed away in 2008, Bernie Mac had amassed a net worth of $15 million.
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Rhonda’s Social Media Presence
Rhonda McCullough continues to lead a successful life. The official Instagram page of the Bernie Mac Foundation shares updates about her activities and initiatives.
Although she may not manage the account personally, it offers occasional glimpses into her life.