Simone Boseman on Chadwick Boseman Death, Cancer Battle

However, the 42 star’s diagnosis returned and progressed to stage 4 by the end of that year. And while a heartbreaking turn of events, Simone noted her husband was intentional in keeping his health battle as private as possible. 

“Chad was not a person that would have wanted to be treated any differently because people knew that he was sick,” she explained of his decision. “The work is what was keeping him moving, so he didn’t want the work to suffer just because he was sick. He didn’t want to be handled with kid gloves because people thought he wasn’t going to be able to do his job and slide underneath falling cabinets and run across fields.”

Since Chadwick’s tragic death, Simone has honored his legacy in numerous ways—including dedicating a speech to him when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last September.

“Chad was more than an actor or even an artist,” she expressed at the time. “He was a spiritual teacher fortified by family; close friends that kept him grounded in faith; a team that believed in him, protected him and fought for him; colleagues that trusted his vision, that lifted him up and forged a real brotherhood. You have no idea how pivotal those moments were. Thank you.”

Keep reading to see celebrities who have been open about their cancer battles…