Danai Jekesai Gurira is a Zimbabwean American actress and playwright. She is best known for her starring roles as Michonne on the AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead (2012–2020, 2022) and as Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films, including Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).
Danai Gurira is also an accomplished playwright. Her play Eclipsed, about five Liberian women held captive by a rebel commander during the Second Liberian Civil War, premiered on Broadway in 2015 and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play. Gurira is also the co-author of the play In the Continuum, which explores the experiences of black women living with HIV/AIDS.
In addition to her work in acting and playwriting, Gurira is also a passionate activist. She is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Women and a co-founder of Almasi Arts, an organization dedicated to supporting arts education in Zimbabwe. Gurira is also the founder of LoveOurGirls, an awareness-building campaign focused on the plights of women and girls around the globe.
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Danai Gurira Net Worth
Danai Gurira’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million as of 2023. She has earned her wealth through her successful career as an actress and playwright.
Danai Gurira reportedly earned $1.5 million for her role as Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther. She went on to reprise the role for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, both of which were also high-grossing films.
In addition to her movie salary, Gurira also earns a salary for her work on television. She reportedly earned between $40,000 and $60,000 per episode for her role as Michonne on AMC’s The Walking Dead.
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Real Estate Holdings
Danai Gurira owns two homes, one in Los Angeles, California and one in Brooklyn, New York.
Los Angeles, California
Gurira’s home in Los Angeles is a 2,574-square-foot bungalow in the Hollywood Hills. She purchased the home in 2019 for $2.3 million.
The home has three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. It features ebony-colored hardwood floors throughout, custom woodwork, high ceilings, and an abundance of natural light. The home also has balconies that span nearly the entire width of the lot, offering stunning views of the Los Angeles skyline.
Brooklyn, New York
Gurira’s home in Brooklyn is a 1,700-square-foot townhouse in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. She purchased the home in 2016 for $1.5 million.
The townhouse has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It features exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and a private garden. The home is located in a vibrant and walkable neighborhood, close to shops, restaurants, and transportation.
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Parents
Danai Gurira was born in Grinnell, Iowa, to Roger Gurira, a professor of English at Grinnell College, and Josephine Gurira, a social worker.
Her parents are both from Zimbabwe, and they moved to the United States in the 1970s.
Danai’s father, Roger Gurira, is a professor of English at Grinnell College. He is originally from Zimbabwe, and he received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Zimbabwe. He has been teaching at Grinnell College since 1987.
Danai’s mother, Josephine Gurira, is a social worker. She is also originally from Zimbabwe, and she received her MSW from the University of Zimbabwe. She has worked as a social worker in Zimbabwe and the United States.
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Ethnicity
Danai Gurira is Zimbabwean-American.
Gurira has said that she is proud of her Zimbabwean heritage, and she has spoken out about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gurira said, “I’m proud to be a Zimbabwean American woman. I think it’s important for us to see ourselves represented in all forms of media. It’s important for our stories to be told.”
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Siblings
Danai Gurira has three older siblings: two sisters named Shingai and Choni, and a brother named Tare.
Her sister Shingai Gurira is a social worker and advocate for women’s rights. She is the founder of the organization Almasi Arts, which provides arts education and mentorship programs to young women in Zimbabwe.
Her sister Choni Gurira is a writer and director. She has written and directed several short films and documentaries, and she is currently working on her first feature film.
Her brother Tare Gurira is a chiropractor. He is the owner of Gurira Chiropractic in Grinnell, Iowa.
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Husband
Danai Gurira is not publicly known to be married. She has been very private about her personal life, and she has never confirmed or denied any rumors about her relationship status.
In the past, Gurira has been linked to her The Walking Dead co-star Norman Reedus, but neither of them has ever confirmed a romantic relationship. Reedus is now in a relationship with Diane Kruger, with whom he has a child.
Gurira has said that she is focused on her career and her activism. She has also said that she is open to finding love, but she is not actively seeking it out.
In a 2019 interview with Essence magazine, Gurira said, “I’m not married, I don’t have kids, but I’m open to it. I’m just living my life and seeing what happens.”
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FAQs
Who is the female general in Black Panther?
The female general in Black Panther is Okoye, played by Danai Gurira. She is the General of the Dora Milaje, the all-female special forces unit of Wakanda. Okoye is a skilled warrior and a loyal soldier to King T’Challa. She is also a close friend of Nakia and Shuri.
Is Michonne’s hair real in walking dead?
No, Michonne’s hair in The Walking Dead is not real. It is a wig worn by actress Danai Gurira.