Gina Poitier was the daughter of the famous actor Sidney Poitier. She was the youngest of the four daughters he had with his first wife, Juanita Hardy. Gina did not follow in her father’s footsteps in movies. She studied art and fashion. She opened a clothing shop and raised a family. She died in May 2018 at age 57.
This guide shares what is publicly known about her life. We rely on trusted news reports and her family’s obituary. We also omit details we can’t verify. For more stories like this, visit Celebbiolife .
Quick Facts About Gina Poitier
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Gina Poitier-Gouraige |
| Known as | Gina Poitier |
| Born | 1961 |
| Died | May 27, 2018, at age 57 |
| Father | Sidney Poitier |
| Mother | Juanita Hardy |
| Husband | Gaetan Gouraige |
| Children | Guylaine, Gabrielle, Etienne, and Emmanuel |
| Business | Bejai Designs, a clothing shop for plus-size women |
| Job in 2017 | Administrative assistant |
| Cause of death | Not shared by her family |
Who Was Gina Poitier?
Gina Poitier was a fashion shop owner, a wife, and a mother. She was also part of a famous family. Her father, Sidney Poitier, was the first Black man to win the Best Actor Oscar. He won it for the film Lilies of the Field. You can read more about his career in this Britannica biography.
Most of Gina’s life happened away from the spotlight. News stories about her mostly appeared after her father died in 2022. Her own life was about family, school, and work. That is the story we tell here.
Early Life and Family Background
Birth and Childhood in New York
Gina was born in 1961. According to her obituary, she lived in Pleasantville, New York, for the first seven years of her life. Then her family moved to Stuyvesant, New York. These are small towns, far from the bright lights of Hollywood.
Her obituary also gives a sweet picture of her childhood. As the youngest child, she was loved very much. Her mother and a second mother figure, called “Mama Jean,” spoiled her. She also spent many days on her father’s lap. That was her way to get away from the strict rules her sisters had to follow. You can read more in People’s report on Gina’s life.
Parents: Sidney Poitier and Juanita Hardy
Sidney Poitier married Juanita Hardy in 1950. They had four daughters. They divorced in 1965. Later, in 1976, Sidney married the actress Joanna Shimkus.
Gina was the youngest of the four daughters Sidney had with Juanita. Her sisters were Beverly, Pamela, and Sherri.
Sisters and Half-Sisters
Sidney Poitier had six daughters in all. Four were Gina and her three older sisters. Two more came from his marriage to Joanna Shimkus. Those two are Anika and Sydney Tamiia, and they were Gina’s half-sisters.
| Daughter | Mother | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Beverly Poitier-Henderson | Juanita Hardy | Jewelry designer |
| Pamela Poitier | Juanita Hardy | Member of the Poitier family |
| Sherri Poitier | Juanita Hardy | Chef |
| Gina Poitier-Gouraige | Juanita Hardy | Fashion shop owner |
| Anika Poitier | Joanna Shimkus | Works in film |
| Sydney Tamiia Poitier | Joanna Shimkus | Actor |
The jobs listed above come from a family portrait story in The Hollywood Reporter and a family guide on Romper.
Education and Fashion Career
Fine Arts and Fashion Merchandising
After high school, Gina went to Rutgers University in New Jersey. Later she moved to the State University of New York at Albany. There she earned a degree in fine arts. Her obituary says the move also put her closer to her future husband.
She then went to the American College of Applied Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. She studied fashion merchandising there. This is the study of how clothes are chosen, shown, and sold.
Bejai Designs and Her Fashion Business
Gina opened a clothing shop called Bejai Designs. She ran it with a business partner. The shop sold clothes for plus-size women.
Professional Work Beyond Fashion
Gina also worked in an office. In 2017, her family gathered for a big portrait to celebrate Sidney Poitier’s 90th birthday. The portrait was published by The Hollywood Reporter. It listed Gina’s job as administrative assistant. She was 55 years old then.
Marriage and Children
Marriage to Gaetan Gouraige
Gina met Gaetan Gouraige when they were in high school. Her obituary calls him the love of her life. Their love lasted through college. They got married in 1988.
Her Children and Family Life
Gina and Gaetan had four children. They are Guylaine, Gabrielle, Etienne, and Emmanuel. Sadly, Emmanuel, the youngest, passed away before his mother did.
Her other children followed their own paths. The Hollywood Reporter shared that Etienne and Gabrielle chose to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design. In 2018, Guylaine graduated from Kennesaw State University in Georgia. A photo of that day appeared in a story by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the Poitier family in north Atlanta.
Faith, Volunteering, and Family Care
Church and Community Involvement
Church and helping others were part of Gina’s daily life. Her obituary says she took part in church ministries. It also says she picked up day-old bread for MUST Ministries, a charity that helps people in need. Her family’s obituary shares more. You can read it on the Northside Chapel Funeral Directors website.
Caring for Her Mother and Family
Family was at the center of Gina’s life. Her mother, Juanita Hardy, and her second mother, “Mama Jean,” were very close to her. Her obituary says her mother and Mama Jean depended on her. She took them to doctor visits and asked such careful questions that the doctors thought she was a doctor too.
Public Appearances With Sidney Poitier
Gina did not live a public life. Still, she appeared in some family events. The best-known one is the 2017 family portrait for her father’s 90th birthday. Gina stood in the portrait with her children, her sisters, and many other relatives.
Old family photos also show her with her father and sisters when she was young. These photos show a close family, even though the family kept its private life mostly out of the news.
Gina Poitier’s Death and Cause of Death
When and Where She Died
Gina Poitier died on the afternoon of May 27, 2018. She was 57 years old. Her obituary was posted by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors in Roswell, Georgia. News reports do not clearly say where she died. We will not guess.
What Is Known About Her Cause of Death
Her family did not share a medical cause of death. Her obituary said her passing was “quick and unexpected.” Because of this, no one should say she died from a certain illness or accident. Any story that does is only a guess.
This is a good reminder to be kind and careful when we read about people who have passed away. Their families often choose to keep some details private.
Funeral and Burial
News reports we found do not list the full funeral or burial details. The family’s obituary page is the best place to check for service information.
Gina Poitier’s Place in the Poitier Family Legacy
Sidney Poitier changed Hollywood. In 1964, he became the first Black man to win the Best Actor Oscar. NPR wrote about this history when he died on January 6, 2022, at age 94. You can read it here.
Gina’s legacy is different. It is not about awards or movies. It is about her own choices. She studied art. She ran a fashion shop for women who often struggled to find clothes they loved. She married her high school sweetheart and raised children. Gina died almost four years before her father. Her family, her work, and her story are still remembered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gina Poitier
Who were Gina Poitier’s parents?
Her parents were Sidney Poitier and Juanita Hardy. They married in 1950 and divorced in 1965.
Did Gina Poitier have children?
Yes. She had four children: Guylaine, Gabrielle, Etienne, and Emmanuel. Emmanuel passed away before she did.
Who was Gina Poitier’s husband?
Her husband was Gaetan Gouraige. They met in high school and married in 1988.
What was Gina Poitier’s cause of death?
Her family has not shared a cause of death. Her obituary only said that her death was quick and unexpected.
How many daughters did Sidney Poitier have?
Sidney Poitier had six daughters: Beverly, Pamela, Sherri, Gina, Anika, and Sydney Tamiia.
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