Warner Widow Reveals Identity, Launches Children’s Causes

Lead: Tenisha Warner, widow of late actor Malcolm Jamal Warner, publicly confirmed her identity and announced two child-focused initiatives in her husband’s memory on September 16, 2025, in New Zealand’s NZCity News.

Nut Graf: After nearly two months of privacy following Warner’s drowning death on July 20, his wife has broken her silence to honour his legacy by founding River and Ember and The Warner Family Foundation, both aimed at nurturing creativity and well-being in young people.

Photographic Reveal and Personal Tribute

• Tenisha shared a wedding photo from their 2017 ceremony, stating, “Thank you for holding us in so much love during this tender time… I can still hear my husband’s laugh, still feel the way he made room for every part of me-every tear, every dream”.
• She chose this moment-just ahead of what would have been their eighth anniversary-to reveal her name and face to the public.

River and Ember and The Warner Family Foundation

• River and Ember: A creative mentorship program inspired by Warner’s devotion to artistic expression.
• The Warner Family Foundation: A nonprofit to provide grants, workshops and resources for children’s personal and artistic development.
• Tenisha emphasized the couple’s shared vision of empowering young artists to “create beyond conventional boundaries”.

Background on Malcolm Jamal Warner’s Passing

Malcolm Jamal Warner, best known for portraying Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, tragically drowned on July 20 while vacationing in Costa Rica. He was 54 and leaves behind his wife and young daughter after being swept out to sea by a strong current.

Reactions and Ongoing Legacy

Family, friends and fans have expressed support for Tenisha’s announcement, praising her decision to carry forward Warner’s passion for community outreach. The establishment of these initiatives cements his enduring commitment to storytelling, representation and youth empowerment.