Viola Davis publicly celebrated her daughter Genesis’s 15th birthday with a rare family photo shared on Instagram. The acclaimed actress and her husband, Julius Tennon, marked the occasion by posting an intimate image of the three of them together, highlighting the strong resemblance between mother and daughter. This tribute reflects the deep bond within their family as Genesis reaches this milestone.
And just like that…..our baby is 15,
Davis wrote alongside the photo.
Love you to the moon G…..to the moon……❤️❤️❤️
The Adoption and Family Life of Viola Davis and Julius Tennon
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon adopted Genesis in 2011, completing their family. Davis has often expressed how adoption brought a profound sense of fulfillment to her life. Prior to Genesis, she described her life as good but lacking a deeper meaning until her daughter entered it.
It was great, but it was not fulfilling,
Davis told People magazine in 2017.
I wanted my life to mean and be something deeper. That’s when the urge came, and the urge was just very, very, very, strong. So I have a kid now, and she is just the light of our lives.
The Couple’s Relationship and Extended Family
Julius Tennon already had two adult children from a previous relationship before he and Davis formed their family. The couple met while working together in 1999 and were married twice in 2003—the first in a small ceremony with close friends, followed by a larger celebration months later in Rhode Island.
The first time we got married with 15 people in our condo. It wasn’t big enough,
Davis recalled during a 2016 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
So, three months later we went to Rhode Island with about 100 people.
Parenting Styles Within Their Family
Davis has described Tennon as a firm and disciplined parent, who holds their daughter accountable with a balance of love and strictness. She contrasts his approach with her own, acknowledging that she tends to be the softer parent.
I came into a relationship where he already had children and grandchildren and raised his kids on his own, so he’s tough—he toes the line, but in a very loving way,
Davis explained.
He holds her accountable. Me, not so much—I’m the softie. Really, entitlement. Listen, there are poor kids who are entitled. So I pray.
The Importance of This Celebration
Marking Genesis’s 15th birthday publicly with such an affectionate post underscores the close-knit nature of Viola Davis’s family and her joy in motherhood. As an EGOT winner and prominent public figure, Davis’s sharing of private moments offers a glimpse into her personal life, emphasizing the significance of family milestones despite a busy career. This tribute also highlights the meaningful role adoption has played for Davis and Tennon, shaping their family and personal fulfillment.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Viola Davis get her PhD?
A. Davis, who graduated from The Juilliard School, was given an Honorary Doctorate at their 109th Commencement. She also has an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Rhode Island College, where she studied.
Q. What happened to Viola Davis when she was 2 years old?
A. At the age of two, Davis went to jail with her mother, who was arrested during a civil rights protest.
Q. Can Viola Davis have a child?
A. Viola Davis’ daughter Genesis is quickly growing up. Genesis, her only child, was born on July 10, 2010. Viola shares Genesis with her husband, Julius Tennon, whom she has been married to for over 20 years. Over the years, the Fences actress has often expressed her affection for Genesis on social media.
