Gina Sasso is known for many roles, most notably as a successful entrepreneur and the former wife of American actor Thomas Mikal Ford. While it’s not uncommon for celebrity spouses to leverage the often tumultuous dynamics of mainstream media, Sasso’s ascent to global recognition was deeply entwined with her relationship with the actor. However, Sasso managed to create a distinct identity for herself. Despite receding from public view following her divorce from Tommy, she crafted an unmissable persona independently etched into society’s fabric.
A woman of commendable morals, Sasso seemed to have it all – a thriving career coupled with the graceful journey of motherhood. Unfortunately, fate intervened, ending her marriage prematurely; thus, her story remains without a traditional happy ending. Curious to learn more? Please, read on.
Profile Summary
| Name | Gina Sasso |
| Age | 61 years old |
| Date of Birth | March 13, 1963 |
| Zodiac | Pisces |
| Place of Date | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Marital Status | single |
| No. Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Spouse | late. Thomas Mikal Ford |
| Children | Thomas Jr and Maddison |
| Net Worth | 500,000 to 1 million USD |
Gina Sasso Biography
Gina Sasso, aka Gina Ford, was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on March 13, 1963. As an African-American growing up in a homogeneous society, she was deeply rooted in education and religion, nurturing a belief in the intrinsic value of fairness. This strong bond with morality would ultimately influence the trajectory of her marriage.
Sasso’s experiences in Jamaica offered her treasured memories, but her move to the United States truly catalyzed her life. There, she first tasted the land of opportunity, sparking her dreams and aspirations into life. Soon after, she began a profound relationship with Tommy, a love story that would endure against all odds over time.
Gina Sasso Career
Gina Sasso, also known as Gina Ford, has carved a successful path in the world of sports marketing, demonstrating a knack for aligning with well-established business strategies. This approach has lent a certain predictability to her success. To achieve her goals, Ford immersed herself in the realms of marketing and sales, establishing strategic relationships with international clients guided by clear business objectives.
Ford is a sports agent who runs her company, Prime Sports Marketing LLC. The company represents professional athletes and helps them negotiate deals and contracts. She has represented notable figures such as Usain Bolt. According to a 2017 profile by The Arza Group, Ford represented Usain Bolt and other athletes in marketing deals. She also allegedly collaborated with Kevin Durant’s mother, Wanda Durant, in connection with the Lifetime movie The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story.
However, Ford’s career has not been without controversy. She was in a legal dispute with Zion Williamson, former Duke basketball star and the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA draft. Williamson filed a lawsuit against Prime Sports and Ford, seeking a court declaration that a contract he signed with Prime Sports in April is null and void.
The crux of Williamson’s argument was that the contract he willingly signed with Prime Sports is voidable under a North Carolina law designed to protect college athletes from unscrupulous agents. He also claimed that he took the necessary steps to void it. This lawsuit put Ford and her company in the spotlight, as the outcome could have significant implications for the enforcement of rules designed to protect college athletes from exploitation.
Despite Ford’s portrayal of herself as a type of agent, the lawsuit asserts that she is not certified by the National Basketball Players’ Association (NBPA), which is the exclusive bargaining agent for all players in the NBA.
The contract Williamson signed with Prime Sports, led by Ford, stipulated that Prime Sports would introduce Williamson to endorsement opportunities, oversee all marketing opportunities, analyze the economic value of endorsement opportunities, negotiate on Williamson’s behalf with any company for purposes of an endorsement deal, and provide advice to Williamson on building his brand. In exchange, Williamson agreed to pay Prime Sports a 15% commission on the gross value of any compensation relating to endorsement or branding.
However, Williamson later provided notice of terminating the agreement, arguing that Ford had violated the Uniform Athlete Agent Act (UAAA). He asked the court to declare the agreement void and demanded that the court prevent Ford and Prime Sports from contacting him and claiming they are still acting on his behalf.
Gina Ford’s attorney, Joann Squillace, rejected these claims, arguing that Williamson was no longer a college athlete at the time of contracting and should honor the contract he signed as an adult.
While the specifics of how Ford could thrive in such a cutthroat environment remain undisclosed, her optimistic spirit, forward-thinking mindset, and straightforward attitude have been key contributors to her career advancement.
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Gina Sasso Husband
Gina Sasso’s ex-husband, Thomas Mikal Ford, professionally known as Tommy Ford, was a celebrated actor and comedian. Born in Los Angeles on September 5, 1964, he was raised in Long Beach, California. His parents, both engaged in modest jobs, provided steady financial support for the family from the time of his birth. His mother worked as a secretary, while his father was a pipe fitter.
As a young boy, Thomas aspired to be a clergyman. However, his career ambitions shifted after his first involvement with his high school drama club. This interaction sparked a desire in him to pursue a career in acting, effectively extinguishing his initial dream of becoming a preacher. This newfound passion motivated him to obtain an Associate of Arts degree from Long Beach City College in 1985 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from the University of Southern California.
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Tommy’s career became a worldwide exemplar of success, making it fitting to applaud his exceptional performance in the comedy TV show ‘Martin,’ where he portrayed Tommy Strawn. His stellar acting in the comedy Series earned him the NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 1996. This marked Thomas’ first notable accomplishment in the industry and made a resounding impact.
Tommy’s significant breakthrough came after his stint on ‘Martin.’ He swiftly secured the lead role of Lieutenant Malcolm Barker in the detective drama ‘New York Undercover.’ Subsequently, he was featured in the UPN sitcom ‘The Parkers,’ and quickly began making waves in the industry. He appeared as Ben Cummings on ‘The Power of Passion’ and was one of the judges on TV One‘s comedy competition show ‘Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes?‘ These appearances earned him the nickname “The Pope of Comedy.”
Before making his mark in acting in 1996, Thomas had already debuted as a director and producer. He actively contributed to the production of the play ‘South of Where We Live.’ In 1993, he co-hosted the Texas Gospel Music Awards alongside singer Yolanda Adams and actor Troy Curvey.
Ford was a personality inextricably linked to the world of entertainment, and he believed his purpose centered around the positive influence he could impart on others. This principle was so deeply ingrained in him that it extended to his interactions with children within his reach. He authored several children’s books, including ‘Positive Attitude’ and ‘I Am Responsible for Me,’ showcasing his concern for character development in young individuals and their response to the social dynamics of high school. Furthermore, in his pursuit to address bullying, he created a documentary titled ‘Through My Lens Atl’ in 2016.
Sadly, Ford didn’t live long enough to fully comprehend his career’s impact on others. He passed away on October 12, 2016, at the age of 52, due to a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. He left behind three kids – two with Gina and another with his girlfriend, Viviane.
Gina Sasso Personal Relationship
Gina Sasso’s affection for Tommy Ford blossomed significantly over time, a sentiment that, for a while, Ford reciprocated. Their initial meeting occurred following a work trip that Gina embarked on. Her relationship with the late actor soon evolved into marriage, and the pair tied the knot on April 6, 1997.
Their grand wedding ceremony took place at the Rio Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas in 1997. Their union lasted for fifteen years, during which they were blessed with two children: Thomas Ford Jr., born on September 9, 1997, and Madison Ford, born on March 15, 2000.
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Regrettably, their marriage did not stand the test of time. The couple found themselves at odds and decided to separate permanently in 2014. During their marriage, Sasso and Ford grappled with issues such as infidelity. Following their split, Ford entered a new relationship with Viviane De Sosa Beattie. At the same time, Sasso opted for a quieter life away from the limelight, keeping the answers to her relationship status obscure. She resides in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Florida, and is a registered Democrat.
Ford moved from Los Angeles to Kendall, Florida, around 2001. In 2015, he relocated to Atlanta, where he lived with his girlfriend, Viviane Brazil.
Ford’s subsequent romantic relationship also did not last. He had a child, Tommy Ford Jr., with his girlfriend, Venessa Simmons. Reports emerged that Ford had once been issued a restraining order by Simmons, the mother of his child. Viviane claimed that Ford was abusively confrontational, and their volatile relationship made headlines before their eventual breakup.
However, Ford refuted these reports, asserting that he was the one who had filed the restraining order against Simmons, who allegedly refused to vacate his Atlanta home.
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Sadly, Ford passed away shortly after the end of his second relationship. Sasso, who was still close friends with Ford, was by his side when he died in 2016 due to an aneurysm.
Gina Sasso Children
Gina and Tommy’s marriage spanned fifteen years, and they welcomed two children. Their first child, Thomas Ford Jr., was born on September 9, 1997. Having completed his college education, he is now pursuing a music career and is 27 years old. He goes by the stage name RealTFlows.
Gina’s second child, Madison Ford, was born on March 15, 2000. Details about Madison are scarce as she has chosen to lead a private life. However, she is 24 years old and has a relationship with an unidentified man.
Height and Measurements
Gina Sasso is 5 feet 8 inches tall, while her ex-husband is 6 feet 4 inches. She is African-American and a practicing Christian. Her exact weight is currently unknown.
Gina Sasso’s Net Worth
Gina Sasso is a successful entrepreneur and the former wife of the late actor and comedian Tommy Ford. She has accumulated substantial wealth throughout her career, with an estimated net worth between $500k and $1 million. Her primary source of income has been her career, with the influence of Ford’s affluence serving as a secondary contributor.
On the other hand, Tommy Ford was worth $2 million before his passing. Most of the income came from his career in the movie industry.