Terry McMillan at 73: The Heartbreak and Healing After Her Marriage to Jonathan Plummer

Bestselling author Terry McMillan’s life has been filled with both triumph and heartbreak, but her story stands as a powerful testament to resilience.

At 73, McMillan has openly reflected on the pain and lessons from her marriage to Jonathan Plummer—a relationship that began with passion and ended in public heartbreak.

In 1995, at the height of her literary career, McMillan took a vacation to Jamaica. There, she met Jonathan Plummer, a charismatic local two decades her junior.

Their whirlwind romance quickly deepened, with McMillan pursuing Plummer boldly and inviting him to live with her in California just months later.

By 1998, they were married, and their unconventional love story inspired McMillan’s hit novel, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” which celebrated love that defies age and expectations.

However, the fairy tale came to a shocking end six years into their marriage. McMillan was blindsided when Plummer revealed he was gay. She described the revelation as a devastating blow, noting there had been no warning signs—Jonathan had always been affectionate and attentive.

The truth not only unraveled their marriage but also left McMillan questioning her own judgment and trust.

Their divorce in 2005 was anything but private. The media seized on the story, turning their personal pain into public spectacle. Despite a prenuptial agreement, Plummer sued for spousal support and attorney’s fees.

In response, McMillan filed a $40 million lawsuit against him, alleging emotional distress and claiming he married her under false pretenses for financial gain and U.S. citizenship.

The legal battle was bitter and played out in the press, culminating in a tense appearance together on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where McMillan confronted Plummer about his deception.

The fallout was not just legal and financial but deeply emotional. McMillan faced accusations of homophobia, which she strongly denied, insisting her anger stemmed from betrayal, not Plummer’s s3xuality.

The bitterness consumed her for years, but eventually, she realized that holding onto anger only hurt herself. She withdrew her lawsuit, choosing forgiveness over resentment.

Both McMillan and Plummer have since grown from the experience. While they are not close friends, they have reached a place of mutual respect and understanding.

Plummer has spoken about finding comfort in his identity, and McMillan has used her journey as inspiration for her writing. Her novel “Getting to Happy,” a sequel to “Waiting to Exhale,” explores themes of betrayal, healing, and hope—offering encouragement to women who have faced similar pain.

McMillan’s literary achievements are impressive, with works like “A Day Late and a Dollar Short,” “The Interruption of Everything,” and “It’s Not All Downhill from Here.”

She’s taught at top universities and received numerous honors, including an NAACP Image Award.

Through heartbreak, McMillan has shown that it’s possible to rebuild, forgive, and find happiness again. Her story is a reminder that even after the deepest betrayals, life can offer new beginnings—and that happiness is always within reach.