Isaiah Washington Confirms Death of Wife Jenisa Washington

<figure><img alt="Jenisa Garland and Isaiah Washington attend the premiere of Magnolia Pictures 'I Am Not Your Negro' at LACMA on January 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/CUNIC23ZHFAF5NQEPVNRUGNSFI.jpg?auth=50d8fd6089c1bb00b219d00a3325662f0288cd349b675301ff5e3663f8246036&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2400&amp;height=1350" /><figcaption>Tibrina Hobson / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>Isaiah Washington, known for his role in <i>Grey’s Anatomy</i>, confirmed that his wife, Jenisa Washington, passed away 16 months ago. Washington, 63, announced on October 5, 2026, that Jenisa died in June 2025 after suffering a stroke, stating he kept the news private due to her preference for privacy.</p><p>Washington shared the news on social media in response to speculation regarding his family life. He wrote, “Yes…the rumors are true. My dear wife of 29 years collapsed suddenly on May 31, 2025 and passed away on June 9, 2025. It came as a huge shock to me and our entire family. She succumbed to a massive hemorrhagic stroke and never recovered.”</p><img alt="Isaiah Washington and wife Jenisa in 2007. / F. Micelotta / Getty Images" height="3000" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/2IC3ICILPBD25CZG5OIZ5JRQOE.jpg?auth=88978f95b5be922491eebee23edd7c47696f49c1046773d83b3b449ff0b902dc&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1908&amp;height=3000" width="1908" /><p>According to the Cleveland Clinic, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and bleeds, preventing the brain from receiving necessary blood and oxygen, which can lead to brain cell damage or death within minutes. Immediate treatment is required, and such strokes can be fatal or result in brain damage.</p><p>Washington advised his followers to monitor their health, stating, “Listen, y’all…some headaches are not just headaches or migraines, they can be much worse and a warning sign. Get a brain scan if you can and take those headaches seriously.”</p><img alt="Isaiah Washington reveals the loss of his wife. / Instagram" height="1012" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/CFZFGME7MVCWPLSBDPVUB5UWDM.png?auth=33486adce3c7fb506568fed821f6d31ae2cade931066c0bb02189540930196ec&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1626&amp;height=1012" width="1626" /><p>He expressed uncertainty about sharing the news, saying, “I don’t know if this is an appropriate post, because Jenisa Washington was extremely private, but I guess I just have to be reprimanded from her on the other side.”</p><p>Following his announcement, Washington received condolences from fellow celebrities, including Viola Davis and Debi Mazar, who expressed their sympathies.</p><img alt="Chandra Wilson, Patrick Dempsey, Isaiah Washington, Ellen Pompeo, Sara Ramirez, Kate Walsh and James Pickens, Jr. of Grey's Anatomy in 2006. / Michael Loccisano / FilmMagic" height="2083" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/DNK5ZOSUUNEPNIDRPZNHWDB6IU.jpg?auth=a65718a3f8351b3e32c9877d22ce2fbc51c0410202a1a7be4b1c61a6a8963e98&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3000&amp;height=2083" width="3000" /><p>Washington portrayed Dr. Preston Burke on <i>Grey’s Anatomy</i> but was dismissed from the show in 2007 following a conflict with co-star Patrick Dempsey, during which he used a homophobic slur. In 2013, Washington stated that he felt “shunned” after losing his role but noted that the experience led him to become “a better husband, a better father and a better artist.”</p>