Who is Kathy Ambush? The untold story of Clarence Thomas' first wife
Kathy Ambush is best known as the first wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Born on 6 June 1950 in Worcester, Massachusetts, she built a 40-year career in public relations and nonprofit work. She and Thomas married in 1971, divorced in 1984, and share one son, Jamal Adeen Thomas. She later married Douglas Allen Smith, who passed away in September 2023.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Kathy Ambush married Clarence Thomas in 1971 and their divorce was finalised in 1984 after 13 years together.
- The couple's only child, Jamal Adeen Thomas, was born on 15 February 1973.
- Kathy spent over 40 years in public relations, nonprofit management, and community development.
- Her second husband, Douglas Allen Smith, passed away in September 2023.
- Her estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $3 million, according to various sources.
Profile summary
Full name | Kathy Grace Ambush |
Date of birth | 6 June 1950 |
Age | 76 (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Worcester, Massachusetts, USA |
Nationality | American |
Profession | Public relations specialist, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
Education | Anna Maria College; Lincoln University; Broadcast Centre |
Relationship status | Widowed (Douglas Allen Smith passed away September 2023) |
Children | One – Jamal Adeen Thomas |
Parents | Nelson William Ambush (father); Shigao Gladys Sato (mother) |
Zodiac sign | Gemini |
Net worth | Estimated $1 million–$3 million (unverified) |
Who is Kathy Ambush?
Background and family
Kathy's parents are Nelson William Ambush and Shigao Gladys Sato. Her father is African American and her mother is of Japanese descent, giving Kathy a multicultural heritage. She has six siblings: Benjamin Ambush, Reverend Stephen Ambush, June Ambush, Karen Thande, Sydney Schuyler, and Valarie Wilson.
Education
Kathy attended Saint Peter-Marion Central Catholic High School before pursuing higher education:
- Anna Maria College (1968–1970): Sociology
- Lincoln University (1975–1977): Business Administration and Science
- Broadcast Centre (1978–1979): Radio Broadcasting
Career
Kathy has over 40 years of professional experience. Her career highlights include:
- Communications Specialist at NRCC (July 1979 – May 1985)
- Director of the MASP Programme at Milton Academy (August 1990 – August 1994)
- Community Relations Specialist at BankBoston (August 1998 – May 2002)
- Assistant Director and Director of Development at the Immigrant Learning Centre, Inc. (June 2002 – August 2018)
She is a retired public relations professional involved in entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Kathy runs the Kathy Foundation, which supports education and the well-being of underprivileged children. She has also served as an Amway ambassador promoting healthy living.
Source: UGC
Kathy Ambush and Clarence Thomas: marriage and divorce
Meeting and marriage
Kathy and Clarence met as college students in 1969. Thomas attended the College of Holy Cross while Kathy studied nearby. They dated for two years before marrying in 1971 at All Saints Episcopal Church. The couple then relocated to New Haven, Connecticut.
Jamal Adeen Thomas
The couple's only child, Jamal Adeen Thomas, was born on 15 February 1973 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Jamal holds a BA in Economics and Business from Virginia Military Institute. He works in financial services and lives in Richmond, Virginia.
Separation and divorce
After 10 years of marriage, Kathy and Clarence separated in 1981 and finalised their divorce in 1984. Clarence gained custody of their son.
Alleged cause of divorce
The couple never publicly disclosed reasons for their split. Allegations emerged regarding Clarence's affair with Lillian McEwen, a Senate Judiciary Committee employee. In a 2010 CNN interview, McEwen discussed their relationship:
I would call it a f*tish or a hobby. It was something that was very important to him.
Clarence also admitted in his memoir, My Grandfather's Son, to having a drinking problem during the 1980s. While married to Kathy, he "wasted his student loan money at bars," though he stopped drinking while working at the EEOC.
Life after divorce
Remarriage and widowhood
After her divorce, Kathy remarried Douglas Allen Smith. The couple had no children together. Douglas passed away in September 2023, leaving Kathy widowed.
Current life
Kathy continues to live in Richmond, Virginia, where she carries on her philanthropic work through the Kathy Foundation and advocates for healthy living through Amway.
Clarence Thomas after Kathy
Ginni Thomas
After meeting Virginia "Ginni" Lamp in 1986, Clarence married her in 1987. They have no biological children together. Ginni maintains a close relationship with Jamal as his stepmother.
Anita Hill and the 1991 confirmation hearings
During his 1991 Supreme Court confirmation, Anita Hill, a former legal adviser at the EEOC, accused Clarence of sexual harassment. She testified that he had made repeated unwanted sexual comments and references to adult films while she was his subordinate.
Thomas denied all allegations. He characterised the Senate proceedings (1991) as a: "high-tech lynching for uppity blacks."
Angela Wright, another EEOC employee, also accused Thomas of sexual misconduct but was not called to testify. Thomas was narrowly confirmed.
Source: Getty Images
Kathy Ambush's net worth
Kathy Ambush's net worth is estimated between $1 million and $3 million, according to various sources. Estimates vary widely because Kathy lives privately and has not disclosed her finances publicly. One source places the figure as low as $100,000.
Her income derives from her 40-year career in public relations and community development, entrepreneurial ventures through Global Internet Entrepreneur, and her philanthropic work with the Kathy Foundation.
Latest news
- Douglas Allen Smith, Kathy's second husband, passed away in September 2023. He was survived by Kathy, now known as Kathy Grace Smith.
- As of 2026, Clarence Thomas is 78 years old and has become the second-longest-serving justice in U.S. Supreme Court history, having served since October 1991.
FAQ
- What happened to Clarence Thomas' first wife? Kathy Ambush divorced Clarence Thomas in 1984 after over a decade of marriage. She later remarried Douglas Allen Smith, who passed away in September 2023. Kathy now lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she continues her entrepreneurial and philanthropic work.
- Does Clarence Thomas have a relationship with his son? Clarence gained custody of Jamal Adeen Thomas when he was a teenager. Jamal has maintained a low public profile and works in financial services in Richmond, Virginia.
- What happened with Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas? During Thomas's 1991 Supreme Court confirmation, Anita Hill testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that Thomas had sexually harassed her while she worked under him at the EEOC. Thomas denied all claims and characterised the hearings as a "high-tech lynching." He was narrowly confirmed.
- Was Clarence Thomas' first wife African American? Kathy Ambush is of mixed heritage. Her father, Nelson William Ambush, is African American, while her mother, Shigao Gladys Sato, is of Japanese descent. Kathy is therefore of African American and Japanese heritage.
- Who is Douglas Allen Smith? Douglas Allen Smith was Kathy Ambush's second husband. He maintained a low public profile throughout their marriage. Douglas passed away in September 2023, leaving Kathy widowed.
- What is Kathy Ambush's net worth? Various sources estimate Kathy Ambush's net worth at between $1 million and $3 million. She has not publicly disclosed her finances, so exact figures remain unverified.
- How old is Kathy Ambush? Kathy Ambush was born on 6 June 1950. She is 76 years old as of 2026.
Kathy Ambush chose a quiet life away from the spotlight. She built a solid career in public relations and nonprofit work. Her journey shows strength and grace. She shaped her own identity far beyond her past marriage. Today, her legacy lives on through her family, community service, and enduring philanthropic efforts.
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