The passing away of Chadwick Boseman at such a young age of 43 shocked the world. The actor who quietly battled colon cancer left the world on August 28, 2020, succumbing to his illness. The man is remembered for his critically acclaimed movies like 21 Bridges (2019), Da 5 Bloods (2020), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020), as well as his widely popular superhero flicks Black Panther (2018) and the Avengers franchise. 

He was nominated for an Oscar at the 93rd Academy Awards for his role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, but unfortunately, he could not enjoy the news as he had already left the world by then. Although he did not win the award, his widow prepared an acceptance speech just in case.

After almost five years now, Simone Ledward Boseman has revealed the speech that she wrote for that day.

Simone Ledward Boseman, the widow of late actor Chadwick Boseman, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, shared the acceptance speech she would have given if her husband had won that night at the 2021 Oscars. She read the speech after struggling to find it on her computer, revealing her list of gratitude that ranged from God to Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom's crew. 

“I will never stop thanking God for you. Thank you to the most high God. Thank you, Carolyn and Leroy Boseman [Chadwick’s parents], and your mothers, and your mothers’ mothers. What purity. What honesty. What pain. What a role. What work. What beautiful, intricate humanity. What courage, bravery, fearlessness, honesty, commitment, humanity, strength. A spirit that refused to surrender to despair. What an actor. What an artist. What a cast. What a team. What a vision. Glory be to the most high God. Long live the King.”    

These words cut deep through the heart, reflecting the struggle and pain of a man who kept going despite being in agony himself. Her words acknowledge the courage and the character of a man who put his craft above everything else and kept his suffering inside, never letting it out even for a moment. 

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Looking back in time, Boseman’s fight with colon cancer was not public knowledge until it was too late, and people only got to know about it after his death. 

Simone Ledward Boseman further talked about her late husband’s year-long struggle with colon cancer, which he kept a secret from the world, and how the lockdown period during COVID was a blessing in disguise. Talking about the pandemic, she acknowledged that it was harsh and brutal, especially for those who lost their loved ones during that time. But for her, it was kind of a reprieve considering what they were going through then.

She also revealed that he was fortunately able to see the movie for which he was nominated at the Oscars, and he knew that the film had the potential for critical acclaim and possible recognition and honors. He was right, as he was nominated for prestigious honors like the Oscars, Golden Globes, Critics' Choice, and SAG Awards. If anything at all, Chadwick Boseman's legacy is still very alive and kicking in the movies that Chadwick Boseman graced us with.

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What do you think of Chadwick Boseman's last speech, written by his wife? Let us know in the comments.